Real-Time 3D Reconstruction of Smart Textile Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies for smart textiles are unable to perform real-time 3D reconstruction of shape deformation, limiting their applications in medical diagnostics, rehabilitation, entertainment, and engineering, as they primarily focus on 2D measurements and are prone to errors in interpreting textile stretching and bending.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and process that utilize measurements of electromagnetic characteristics from conductive fibers in smart elastic textiles to perform real-time 3D reconstruction, aligning measurement points with a schematic 3D model, transforming electromagnetic data into distances, and iteratively calculating vertex positions to reconstruct the deformed geometry, allowing for accurate visualization of textile deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If 2D measurements are used for smart textiles, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and ability to interpret textile stretching and bending accurately deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement system complexityVSAvoiddeformation interpretation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from 2D measurement to 3D reconstruction by using electromagnetic characteristics measured at multiple points on the textile surface. The system reconstructs three-dimensional deformation by calculating spatial coordinates (x, y, z) from electromagnetic field measurements, enabling accurate interpretation of textile stretching and bending in three-dimensional space while maintaining relatively simple sensor integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If real-time 3D reconstruction is implemented, then measurement precision and deformation analysis capability are improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D deformation reconstruction accuracyVSAvoidcomputational system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical 3D measurement systems (such as multiple cameras or laser scanners) with electromagnetic field-based measurement. By measuring electromagnetic characteristics (capacitance, impedance) at textile nodes and using iterative mathematical algorithms, the system achieves real-time 3D reconstruction without requiring complex optical or mechanical measurement apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual 3D model that copies the physical textile's deformation state. The system measures electromagnetic characteristics on the actual textile and reconstructs a corresponding 3D digital model that mirrors the textile's shape and deformation in real-time, enabling accurate analysis without physically complex measurement equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If electromagnetic characteristics are measured at multiple measurement points, then measurement precision and 3D reconstruction quality are improved, but quantity of measurements and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D model reconstruction qualityVSAvoidreal-time processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining the textile's node structure and electromagnetic measurement points before deformation occurs. The system establishes the initial 3D coordinate system and measurement grid in advance, allowing rapid real-time reconstruction during deformation by only updating the positions of pre-identified nodes rather than creating measurements from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient interpretation of geometrical transformations in smart textiles, facilitating real-time monitoring and analysis of forces affecting deformation, with applications in medicine, entertainment, and engineering, providing accurate visual representation of textile deformation.

Implementation Method 1

conductive components enable measurement of electromagnetic characteristic of textiles, such as resistance, voltage, conductivity or capacity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoresistive effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

The electromagnetic sensor, comprising of a network of electro-conductive fibres, collects data about voltage, conductivity, resistance, capacity and impedance of electromagnetic energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance change under deformation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP4195161B1Apparatus and process for real-time monitoring of deformation of smart elastic textiles based on measurements of electromagnetic characteristics
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 UNIVERZA V MARIBORU
  • EP4195161B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4195161B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4195161B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is a real-time reconstruction of the textile surface after its deformation from measurements of the changes in electromagnetic characteristics of conductive fibres of elastic textiles. The invention allows the 3D reconstruction and tracking of changes in smart textile surface shape in real time with a computer-assisted analysis of the forces that affect the deformation. The latter can represent muscle activity (when the textile is designed in the form of a brace), scanning the surface of objects (when the textile is placed on the object), analysis of object movements (when they are placed on the textile), and analysis of forces stretching or contracting the textile (when textiles fixed between moving objects).