Sensor textile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moisture detection systems for care beds are not washable, complex in structure, and disruptive due to their thickness, which complicates hygiene and laundry processes, and they fail to effectively monitor the position of subjects to prevent falls.
Innovation Solution
A thin, washable sensor textile laminate with a conductive intermediate layer, a liquid-tight barrier layer, and a textile outer fabric that can withstand high temperatures during cleaning, incorporating comb-shaped embroidery for high measurement accuracy, and using stainless steel staple fiber yarns for corrosion resistance and mechanical durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a thick hygiene protection insert is used to ensure moisture storage, then moisture storage capacity is improved, but the effect of the anti-decubitus mattress is reduced and drying effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hygiene protection is divided into multiple functional layers: a liquid-impermeable barrier layer for moisture storage, a textile outer fabric for comfort, and a textile base material for structure. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without requiring excessive overall thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin liquid-impermeable barrier layer is used instead of a thick insert, providing moisture storage capacity while maintaining flexibility and minimizing thickness to preserve the anti-decubitus mattress effect.
2Reliability
If a sandwich-shaped switch structure is used for moisture detection, then incontinence detection is enabled, but significant amounts of liquid are absorbed between the switch plates making hygiene and laundry difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is extracted from a separate sandwich switch structure and integrated into the textile layers themselves through conductive threads woven into the fabric, eliminating the need for a separate switch component that would trap liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive threads are uniformly distributed within the textile layers, creating a homogeneous sensing structure that maintains the textile's washable properties while providing reliable moisture detection throughout the material.
3Reliability
If a large number of layers are used in washable incontinence detection systems, then washability is improved, but the systems become complex to manufacture and disruptive in bed due to thickness
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (moisture detection, hygiene protection, comfort, and structural support) are merged into a single integrated textile structure with conductive threads woven directly into the layers, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The textile layers serve multiple purposes simultaneously: the outer fabric provides comfort and liquid impermeability, the conductive threads provide moisture detection, and the base material provides structural support, reducing the need for separate specialized components.
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
The solution provides effective moisture detection and position monitoring, enabling early detection of unwanted movements and preventing falls, while ensuring easy drainage and hygiene maintenance, reducing care expenditure and improving sleep quality.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor element is proposed for incontinence detection which, in a sandwich structure of conductive and non-conductive structures, forms a switch which becomes electrically conductive in the presence of moisture
Implementation Method 2
a barrier layer arranged under the intermediate layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Sensor textile (1), comprising a laminate, with i) an upper layer made of a textile outer fabric (11), ii) a textile intermediate layer (12) arranged under the upper layer, which on the side facing the outer fabric (11) has conductive sensor threads ( 5), preferably in the form of embroidery, iii) a barrier layer (13) arranged under the intermediate layer (12), and iv) a lower layer made of a textile base fabric (14) arranged underneath.