Stretchable electrical interconnect and method of making same

• US 9,752,259 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2012
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
• Original Assignee: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
• Inventors: Tao, Xiaoming, Li, Qiao, Zhu, Bo
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Xiaoliang
• Application Number:
  US13/442,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20130263351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,975 Days
• Field of Search: 174 74 R, 1741261, 174250, 174251, 174254, 29826, 29855, 200275, 361212, 361220, 156184, 25022714, 428221, 428611, 600388, 600529, 139383 R, 139387 R, 219545, 429120, 439 67, 439259, 439775, 442181, 442182, 442301
• 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: D04B 1/18 elastic threads
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/02431 with electronic components, e.g. sensors or switches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49204 Contact or terminal manufacturing

Abstract

An electrical interconnect including at least one electrically-conductive fiber configured to form a stretchable interlaced configuration.

Claims

1. An electrical interconnect including at least one electrically-conductive fibre and at least one non-electrically conductive fibre knitted into a stretchable interlaced knitted configuration, the at least one electrically-conductive fibre forming interlaced loops which slide and change geometries within the interlaced configuration when stretched, such that an electrical resistance of the electrical interconnect is substantially unchanged when the electrical interconnect is repeatedly flexed or stretched about at least one three-dimensional surface.

2. An electrical interconnect as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrically-conductive fibre includes at least one of a conductive polymer, a metal wire, an enamelled metal wire, a metal wire coated by polyurethane, and a metal-coated textile yarn.

3. An electrical interconnect as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-electrically-conductive fibre includes at least one of polyester, nylon, Spandex filaments, and a composite thereof.

4. A garment including an electrical interconnect formed in accordance with claim 1.

5. A method of forming an electrical interconnect including knitting at least one electrically-conductive fibre and at least one non-electrically conductive fibre into a stretchable interlaced knitted configuration, the at least one electrically-conductive fibre forming interlaced loops which slide and change geometries within the interlaced configuration when stretched, wherein the interlaced configuration is configured such that an electrical resistance of the electrical interconnect is substantially unchanged when the electrical interconnect is repeatedly flexed or stretched about at least one three-dimensional surface.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the electrically-conductive fibre includes at least one of a conductive polymer, a metal wire, an enamelled metal wire, a metal wire coated by polyurethane, and a metal-coated textile yarn.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the non-electrically conductive fibre includes at least one of polyester, nylon, Spandex filaments, and a composite thereof.