Conductive fiber

• US 6,815,061 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2003
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• 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: Van Heerden, Clive R., Marmaropoulos, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Kelly, Cynthia H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gray, Jill M.
• Application Number:
  US10/696,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20040087228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 428/370, 428/373, 428/377, 428/375, 428/379, 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 conductive fiber comprising:

a conductive fiber core;

a non-slip fiber being wrapped around said conductive fiber core; and

a conductive semi-fluid fiber being wrapped around said conductive fiber core in coincidence with said non-slip fiber.

2. A conductive fiber of claim 1, wherein said conductive fiber is adapted to engage said non-slip fiber and said conductive semi-fluid fiber.

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

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

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

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

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

8. The conductive fiber of claim 1, wherein said conductive semi-fluid fiber is connected to said conductive fiber core.

9. The conductive fiber of claim 1, wherein said non-slip fiber is connected to said conductive fiber core.

10. The conductive fiber of claim 1, wherein said conductive semi-fluid fiber and said non-slip fiber are sonically welded to said conductive fiber core.