Stitched stretch sensor

• US 9,885,621 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2016
• Issued: 02/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Original Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Inventors: Dunne, Lucy E., Gioberto, Guido
• Primary Examiner(s): Macchiarolo, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): JENKINS, JERMAINE L
• Application Number:
  US15/137,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20160238468A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: D05B 93/00 Stitches; Stitch seams
• CPC Class Codes: D05B 97/08 using special threads or wires
• CPC Class Codes: D05B 97/12 for attaching patches or like small pieces of fabric
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/18 using change in resistance
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/205 using distributed sensing elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/2287 constructional details of the strain gauges adjustable resistors H01C10/00

Abstract

A stitched sensor including a plurality of threads stitched to a textile in a stitch geometry is described. The plurality of threads includes a conductive thread, and the stitch geometry is configured such that an electrical property of the stitched sensor changes based on at least one of stretching, relaxation, or bending of the textile. Methods for forming a stitched sensor are also described.

Claims

1. A stitched sensor comprising:

a plurality of threads stitched to a textile in a stitch geometry, the plurality of threads comprising a conductive thread, wherein the stitch geometry is configured such that a resonance of the stitched sensor changes based on at least one of stretching and relaxation of the textile.

2. The stitched sensor of claim 1, wherein the conductive thread defines a plurality of loops in the stitch geometry.

3. The stitched sensor of claim 2, wherein the stitch geometry is configured such that at least some loops of the plurality of loops are configured to become farther apart upon stretching of the textile and closer together upon relaxation of the textile.

4. The stitched sensor of claim 2, wherein the stitch geometry is configured such that at least some loops of the plurality of loops are configured to become closer together upon stretching of the textile and farther apart upon relaxation of the textile.

5. The stitched sensor of claim 1, wherein the stitched sensor is configured such a resistance of the stitched sensor increases in response to stretching of the textile.

6. The stitched sensor of claim 1, wherein the stitched geometry is configured such that a resistance of the stitched sensor decreases in response to stretching of the textile.

7. The stitched sensor of claim 1, wherein a resonant frequency of the stitched sensor changes based on at least one of stretching and relaxation of the textile.

8. The stitched sensor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of threads comprises the conductive thread and at least one non-conductive thread.

9. The stitched sensor of claim 1, wherein the stitch geometry comprises at least one of a coverstitch geometry, an overlock stitch geometry, and a lockstitch geometry.

10. The stitched sensor of claim 1, further comprising the textile.

11. The stitched sensor of claim 1, further comprising a sensing unit coupled to the conductive thread and configured to sense the change in the resonance of the stitched sensor.

12. The stitched sensor of claim 1, wherein stitch geometry comprises a zigzag stitch.

13. A method comprising:

forming a stitched sensor by at least stitching a plurality of threads to a textile in a stitch geometry configured such that a resonance of the stitched sensor changes based on at least one of stretching and relaxation of the textile, the plurality of threads comprising a conductive thread.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein stitching the plurality of threads to the textile in the stitch geometry comprises stitching the conductive thread such that the conductive thread defines a plurality of loops in the stitch geometry, and wherein the plurality of threads comprises the conductive thread and at least one non-conductive thread.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein stitching the plurality of threads to the garment in the stitch geometry comprises stitching the conductive thread such that at least some loops of the plurality of loops are configured to become farther apart upon stretching of the textile and closer together upon relaxation of the textile.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein stitching the plurality of threads to the garment in the stitch geometry comprises stitching the conductive thread such that at least some loops of the plurality of loops are configured to become closer together upon stretching of the textile and farther apart upon relaxation of the textile.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein a resistance of the stitched sensor increases in response to stretching of the textile.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein a resistance of the stitched sensor decreases in response to stretching of the textile.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein stitching the plurality of threads to the textile in the stitch geometry comprises stitching the plurality of threads in at least one of a coverstitch geometry, an overlock stitch geometry, and a lockstitch geometry.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein stitching the plurality of thresholds to the textile in the stitch geometry comprises stitching the plurality of threads in a zigzag stitch.

21. A system comprising:

a plurality of threads stitched to a textile in a stitch geometry, the plurality of threads comprising a conductive thread and one or more non-conductive threads, wherein the stitch geometry is configured such that a resonance of the conductive thread changes based on at least one of stretching and relaxation of the textile; and

a sensing unit electrically coupled to the conductive thread in the stitch geometry and configured to sense the change in the resonance of the conductive thread.