Fabric Sensor and a Garmet Incorporating the Sensor

• US 20080139969A1
• Filed: 06/29/2005
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Gough, Paul A., Bickerton, Matthew J.
• Application Number:
  US11/571,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20080139969A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes

Abstract

A fabric sensor for measuring body movement comprises first and second gripping sections and a third sensing section intermediate of the first and second sections. The third sensing section has a lower amount of grip than either the first or second gripping sections. The third sensing section comprises a construction of first and second fibres, the first fibres being of a conductive nature, and the second fibres being of an elastic nature. A garment comprising one or more substantially tubular sections for receiving a body portion and including one or more of the fabric sensors is also described.

Claims

1. A fabric sensor (10) for measuring body movement comprising first and second gripping sections (14, 16) and a third sensing section (18) intermediate of the first and second sections (14, 16), the third sensing section (18) having a lower amount of grip than either the first or second gripping sections (14, 16).

2. A fabric sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first and second gripping sections (14, 16) have substantially the same amount of grip as each other.

3. A fabric sensor according to claim 1, wherein the third sensing section (18) has approximately zero grip.

4. A fabric sensor according to claim 1, wherein the third sensing section (18) comprises a construction (22) of first and second yarns (24, 26), the first yarn (24) being of a conductive nature, and the second yarn (26) being of an elastic nature.

5. A fabric sensor according to claim 4, wherein the construction (22) of the third sensing section (18) consists of a knit of the first and second yarns (24, 26).

6. A fabric sensor according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second gripping sections (14, 16) has an amount of grip that varies over its width.

7. A fabric sensor according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second gripping sections (14, 16) and the third sensing section (18) encircle a body portion.

8. A fabric sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first and second gripping sections (14, 16) and the third sensing section (18) are formed of single piece of fabric.

17. A garment (12;

20) comprising one or more substantially tubular sections for receiving a body portion and including one or more fabric sensors (10) according to claim 1.

18. A garment according to claim 17, wherein the garment (12;

20) is formed of a single piece of fabric.

19. A method of forming a garment (12;

20) comprising forming one or more substantially tubular sections for receiving a body portion and including one or more fabric sensors (10) according to claim 1.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the garment (12;

20) is formed of a single piece of fabric.

9. A method of forming a fabric sensor for measuring body movement comprising forming first and second gripping sections (14, 16) and a third sensing section (18) intermediate of the first and second sections (14, 16), the third sensing section (18) having a lower amount of grip than either the first or second gripping sections (14, 16).

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the first and second gripping sections (14, 16) have substantially the same amount of grip as each other.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the third sensing section (18) has approximately zero grip.

12. A method according to claim 9, wherein the third sensing section (18) comprises a construction (22) of first and second yarns (24, 26), the first yarn (24) being of a conductive nature, and the second yarn (26) being of an elastic nature.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the construction (22) of the third sensing section (18) consists of a knit of the first and second yarns (24, 26).

14. A method according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second gripping sections (14, 16) has an amount of grip that varies over its width.

15. A method according to claim 9, wherein each of the first and second gripping sections (14, 16) and the third sensing section (18) encircle a body portion.

16. A method according to claim 9, wherein the first and second gripping sections (14, 16) and the third sensing section (18) are formed of single piece of fabric.