Conductive fiber

• US 6,686,038 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2002
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Marmaropoulos, George, Van Heerden, Clive R.
• Primary Examiner(s): EDWARDS, NEWTON O
• Application Number:
  US10/084,711
• Publication Number:
  US 20030162021A1
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 428/370, 428/373, 174/110.R, 174/120.R
• US Class Current: 428/370
• CPC Class Codes: D02G 3/441 Yarns or threads with antistatic, conductive or radiation-shielding properties electroconductive, anti-static or radiation-shielding filaments D01F1/09, D01F1/106; anti-static fabrics D03D15/533; conducting, insulating or anti-static layers for floor coverings D06N7/0042
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2913 Rod, strand, filament or fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2924 Composite
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2929 Bicomponent, conjugate, composite or collateral fibers or filaments [i.e., coextruded sheath-core or side-by-side type]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2936 Wound or wrapped core or coating [i.e., spiral or helical]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/294 including metal or compound thereof [excluding glass, ceramic and asbestos]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/105 Comprising a composite fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/107 Comprising at least two chemically different fibers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/109 Metal or metal-coated fiber-containing scrim
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/133 Inorganic fiber-containing scrim
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/186 Comprising a composite fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/188 Metal or metal-coated fiber-containing scrim
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/191 Inorganic fiber-containing scrim

Abstract

There is provided a conductive fiber capable of being sewn, woven or knitted, using conventional methods, into a conductive mesh for use with various wearable electronic devices and/or sensors that make direct contact with the skin. The conductive fiber, when combined with a non-slip fiber, facilitates comfortable electrical communication between different electronic devices and the skin.

Claims

1. A non-insulated conductive fiber comprising:

a conductive core; and

a conductive semi-fluid sleeve completely covering said conductive core.

2. The non-insulated conductive fiber of claim 1, wherein said conductive core is adapted to engage said conductive semi-fluid sleeve.

3. The non-insulated conductive fiber of claim 1, wherein said conductive core is made of a conductive polymer.

4. The conductive fiber of claim 1, wherein said conductive core is a conductive metalized fiber.

5. The conductive fiber of claim 1, wherein said conductive core is a conductive graphitized fiber.

6. The conductive fiber of claim 1, wherein said conductive core is made of a conductive metalized foil.

7. The non-insulated conductive fiber of claim 1, wherein said conductive semi-fluid sleeve has a viscosity to facilitate adhesion to said conductive core.

8. The non-insulated conductive fiber of claim 1, wherein said conductive semi-fluid sleeve is sonically welded to said conductive core.

9. The non-insulated conductive fiber of claim 1, wherein said conductive semi-fluid sleeve is made of silicon gel.