DE102010060222B4 - Textile goods with at least one electrical or electronic component - Google Patents

Abstract

Textile goods which are provided with at least one electrical or electronic component (20) to which detachable contact means are assigned via which an electrical connection to the respective electrical or electronic component (20) can be established, the contact means at least one two releasably connectable to each other Velcro fastener (3) containing closure parts (5, 6), the closure parts (5, 6) of which are assigned to electrically conductive contact elements (10, 11, 13, 17) which are in electrical contact when the closure parts (5, 6) are connected to one another are with each other and one of which is in electrical connection with the electrical or electronic component (20, 24), characterized in that the contact elements at least one inserted into a carrier tape (8) of a closure part (6) on the carrier tape (8) or an associated part (9, 23) have resiliently mounted first contact element (13) on the other verse Closing part (5) protrudes over the carrier tape (8) and which, when the closing parts (5, 6) are joined together, is in electrically conductive engagement with an associated second contact element (17, 20) of the other closing part (5).

Description

The invention relates to a textile product which is provided with at least one electrical or electronic component, to which detachable contact means are assigned, via which an electrical connection to the respective electrical or electronic component can be established.

In connection with so-called “smart textiles”, textile goods are currently being developed that are provided with electrical or electronic components or assemblies. Such electrical or electronic components are, for example, sensors incorporated or inserted into the textile product to detect the body's own characteristics of a wearer of the textile product, such as blood pressure, heart rate or perspiration etc., or when the textile product is used as a diaper, bed pad or blanket etc. It is important to determine whether there is moisture exposure or soaking and the like. The sensors can, for example, be designed to be active in such a way that they emit signals characterizing corresponding measured variables that must be passed to a signal processing unit, or they can be of a passive nature, such that, for example, the electrical resistance changes as a function of a measured variable, whereby the change in resistance is evaluated by a connected signal processing unit. In any case, it is necessary to establish a generally detachable electrical connection between the respective electrical or electronic component and, for example, a signal processing unit.

It is known to assemble fabric bags into a textile product which hold the electrical or electronic component to which the electrical connection is then made via a plug. A disadvantage of this embodiment is the relatively high outlay on assembly. In addition, the respective component first has to be stowed in the pocket, after which the connector has to be connected in a separate step. It is also known to link the fastening of the electrical or electronic components with the electronic contacting using push buttons made of metal. Although with this connection design the fastening of the component to the textile goods and the creation of the electrical connection connection take place in one go, there is the disadvantage of a relatively high expenditure of force when closing and opening the push-button connection. In addition, the snap fasteners can be torn out of the textile goods when they are released, apart from the fact that snap fasteners also form a relatively large pressure point, which is undesirable in many types of use of such textile goods. Finally, metallic snap fasteners wear out and corrode over time, especially when exposed to moisture. In addition, experience has shown that the spring force of the push-button connection decreases to such an extent that the contact between the electrical connection point is no longer flawlessly guaranteed due to symptoms of fatigue and frequent use, with the result that data transmission is difficult and / or incorrect.

Out DE 10 2008 051 536 A1 there is known a garment for monitoring physiological properties. The garment has integrated measuring sensors. There may be conductive contacts on the surface of the garment that are connected to the measuring sensors via electrical lines. The conductive contacts can be hook or loop tapes of a Velcro fastener.

A textile product with a Velcro fastener for establishing an electrical connection is also known from DE 10 2007 014 477 A1. There a bar made of electrically conductive thread is sewn onto the two straps of the Velcro fastener. When the two Velcro straps are connected, the two latches come into electrically conductive contact.

US 6 668 380 B2 further suggests making the hooks and loops of a Velcro fastener electrically conductive, so that both a mechanical and an electrical connection is established when the Velcro fastener is closed.

The object of the invention is therefore to create a textile product which is provided with at least one electrical or electronic component, in which there is an electrical connection for at least one electrical or electronic component that can be detached with little effort and that also ensures reliable, flawless contact Guaranteed prolonged use, is largely insensitive to external influences and does not result in any undesirable impairment of a user, for example through pressure points, etc.

To solve this problem, the textile goods according to the invention have the features of claim 1.

In the new textile goods, releasable contact means are assigned to at least one electrical or electronic component, which have at least one Velcro fastener containing two detachably connectable closure parts, the closure parts of which are assigned electrically conductive contact elements that are in electrical contact when the closure parts are connected to one another stand with each other and one of which is in electrical connection with the electrical or electronic component. The inventive use of a Velcro fastener to establish an electrical connection to the electrical or electronic component of the textile product makes use of the properties of the Velcro fasteners, which consist in the fact that the Velcro fasteners have a high adhesive force and can be joined together with little effort. They are flexible and, in contrast to metallic snap fasteners, are hardly annoying on textiles. Because of their flexibility, they can be released more easily than snap fasteners with the same adhesive force, because they are simply "unrolled". They don't tear out as easily as snaps.

Velcro fasteners are known in various designs. They basically have two closure parts, one of which carries a so-called hook track with adhesive elements in the form of hooks, mushroom heads or the like and the other closure part is equipped with a loop track in which the adhesive elements of the hook track engage releasably. The hook track and the loop track are typically arranged on a flexible carrier tape made of plastic, textile material or the like, wherein the carrier tape can have any surface extension that is expedient for the respective application. To close the Velcro fastener, the two fastener parts are simply placed on top of one another and pressed together so that the hook elements hook onto the loop elements; To open the Velcro fastener, a fastener part is “unrolled” from the other fastener part, as mentioned, whereby the adhesive elements of the hook web separate from the loop web. There are embodiments in which the loop web is formed directly from a textile fabric itself, for example a woven or knitted fabric. Such embodiments are also included here.

In the new textile goods, the contact elements of the closure parts of the Velcro fastener can have at least one flexible contact part inserted into at least one of the closure elements, which can be, for example, wire or thread-shaped and, in a preferred embodiment, is connected to a carrier tape of the respective closure part. The arrangement can be such that the carrier strips of both closure parts are connected to such a contact part and the contact parts of the two carrier bands are arranged to cross one another when the closure parts are joined together. This ensures reliable contact between the two contact parts even if the two closure parts of the Velcro fastener are attached to one another in a laterally shifted manner.

According to the invention, the contact elements also have at least one resilient first contact element inserted into a carrier tape of a closure part, which protrudes over the carrier tape on the inside facing the other closure part and which, when the closure parts are joined, is in electrically conductive engagement with an associated second contact element of the other closure part . The first contact element is resiliently mounted on the carrier tape or a part connected to it. The assigned second contact element is arranged on a carrier tape of the other closure part or on a part connected to the carrier tape of the other closure part and does not need to be resiliently flexible. In a further embodiment, the second contact element is arranged on the side of its carrier tape which is on the outside when the closure parts are joined, the carrier tape being penetrated by the first contact element.

For many purposes, it is advantageous if the closure part is arranged on a flat textile structure of the textile product that contains electrical conductor tracks that lead, for example, to an electrical or electronic component, or directly form at least a part of such, for example a sensor. In a preferred such application, the textile fabric is a knitted fabric into which at least one electrically conductive yarn is incorporated which forms electrical conductor tracks and which is in electrically conductive connection with one of the contact elements of the Velcro fastener, at least when the Velcro fastener is closed. The interconnects can extend in the direction of courses and / or wales of the knitted fabric in which the electrically conductive yarn is knitted. This can, for example, be plated onto electrically non-conductive thread. In terms of knitting, the conductor tracks can be incorporated into the knitted fabric using intarsia technology, but embodiments are also conceivable in which the conductor tracks forming parts of rows of stitches contain electrically conductive yarn that lies outside the conductor tracks or is cut off, with successive mesh rows of the conductor tracks in the wale direction are worked in such a way that reliable electrical contact is guaranteed between the electrically conductive yarns of adjoining stitch loops.

The knitted fabric can advantageously be designed as a bracelet that contains the electrically conductive conductor tracks, which are separated from one another, for example, by electrically non-conductive rows of stitches or wales and thus form part of a moisture sensor. Under the action of moisture, the electrical changes Resistance of the electrically non-conductive or poorly conductive knitted fabric areas lying between the conductor tracks, so that a signal indicative of the moisture absorption in the knitted fabric can be obtained by measuring the resistance between the two conductor tracks. The conductor tracks can, however, also be parts of other electrical or electronic components that allow bodily functions of the wearer of the armband, for example heart rate, blood pressure, etc., to be measured and monitored. Applications are also conceivable in which the conductor tracks serve as electrical leads to electrical or electronic components that are assigned to the textile goods, for example, are accommodated in pockets of the same.

The application of the invention is not limited to certain articles, such as the aforementioned new bracelet. Rather, the new textile goods can be made up in any appropriate design, for example as a piece of clothing or as part of such, or used in the form of blankets, diapers, headgear, gloves and the like.

• 1, 2 die beiden Verschlussteile eines Klettverschlusses einer Textilware, in einer schematischen perspektivischen Schnittdarstellung, unter Veranschaulichung einer Ausführungsform der Kontaktelemente in Gestalt jeweils eines elektrisch leitfähigen Fadens;
• 3, 4 eine Draufsicht auf die Verschlusselemente des Klettverschlusses der Textilware nach 1, 2, unter Veranschaulichung der Orientierung der Windungen aus elektrisch leitfähigem Faden, ohne Darstellung des Haken- und Schlaufenbandes;
• 5 die Textilware nach 1 und 2, bei geschlossenem Klettverschluss, in einer Schnittdarstellung ähnlich 1, 2, jedoch in einer schematischen Seitenansicht und in einem anderen Maßstab;
• 6 eine Textilware gemäß der Erfindung, bei geöffnetem Klettverschluss, geschnitten und in einer schematischen Seitenansicht, unter Veranschaulichung einer Draufsicht auf die Verschlussteile des Klettverschlusses, ähnlich der Darstellung nach den 3, 4;
• 7 die Textilware nach 6, bei geschlossenem Klettverschluss in einer schematischen Seitenansicht, ähnlich 5;
• 8 eine Textilware gemäß der Erfindung in einer Ausführungsform als gestricktes Armband in einer schematischen Seitenansicht;
• 9 ein Gerätegehäuse eines an die Kontaktelemente des Armbandes nach 8 anzuschließenden elektronischen Gerätes, beispielsweise in Gestalt eines Sende-/Empfangsgerätes (Transceiver), in schematischer perspektivischer Darstellung;
• 10 das Armband nach 8 in einer Seitenansicht auf die Rückseite;
• 11 das Armband nach 8, im aufgefaltetem Zustand, im Ausschnitt und unter Veranschaulichung der elektrisch leitenden Leiterbahnen;
• 12 nach 8, im eingefalteten noch unvernähtem Zustand, unter Veranschaulichung des Anschlusses des Gerätes nach 9, in einer schematischen Teilseitenansicht und
• 13, 14 je ein Maschenbild des Armbands nach 8, unter Veranschaulichung von in das Gestrick ingearbeiteten elektrisch leitenden Leiterbahnen, im Ausschnitt und in schematischer Darstellung.

In the drawing, exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are shown, they show:

• 1 , 2 the two closure parts of a Velcro fastener of a textile product, in a schematic perspective sectional view, illustrating an embodiment of the contact elements in the form of an electrically conductive thread each;
• 3rd , 4th a plan view of the closure elements of the Velcro fastener of the textile goods 1 , 2 , showing the orientation of the windings made of electrically conductive thread, without showing the hook and loop tape;
• 5 the textile goods after 1 and 2 , with closed Velcro fastener, similar in a sectional view 1 , 2 , but in a schematic side view and on a different scale;
• 6th a textile product according to the invention, with the Velcro fastener open, in section and in a schematic side view, illustrating a top view of the closure parts of the Velcro fastener, similar to the illustration according to FIG 3rd , 4th ;
• 7th the textile goods after 6th , with closed Velcro in a schematic side view, similar 5 ;
• 8th a textile product according to the invention in an embodiment as a knitted bracelet in a schematic side view;
• 9 a device housing one to the contact elements of the bracelet 8th electronic device to be connected, for example in the form of a transceiver, in a schematic perspective view;
• 10 the bracelet after 8th in a side view of the rear;
• 11 the bracelet after 8th , in the unfolded state, in the cutout and with an illustration of the electrically conductive conductor tracks;
• 12th to 8th , in the folded as yet unsewn state, showing the connection of the device according to 9 , in a schematic partial side view and
• 13th , 14th one stitch pattern on the bracelet 8th , with the illustration of electrically conductive conductor tracks worked into the knitted fabric, in detail and in a schematic representation.

In the 1 , 2 a section of a textile product is shown, which is a textile fabric 1 , for example in the form of a woven fabric, knitted fabric, fleece or the like. On the textile fabric is a loop track indicated at 2 of a Velcro fastener 3rd carrying carrier tape 4th put on, that together with the loop track 2 a first closure part 5 the Velcro fastener 3rd forms.

The first locking part 5 the Velcro fastener 3rd is a second locking part 6th the Velcro fastener 3rd assigned, which carries a hook track indicated schematically at 7, which is on a carrier tape 8th of the second closure part 6th is arranged. The hook 9 the hook track 7th are, as well as the loops of the loop track, not further designated 2 , shown only schematically. They can be hook-shaped or mushroom-shaped or designed in some other way. The carrier tape 8th of the second closure part 6th is on an assembly 9 arranged, which can be, for example, a circuit board provided with electrical conductor tracks, part of a housing or also a textile fabric containing conductor tracks.

The two locking parts 5 , 6th of the Velcro fastener 3rd are provided with electrically conductive contact elements that are used in the 1-5 illustrated embodiment each by turns 10 , 11 an electrically conductive thread or thin wire are formed. As from the 1 and 2 can be seen to penetrate the electrically conductive thread turns 10 , 11 the carrier tape 4th , 8th of the two locking parts 5 , 6th the Velcro fastener 3rd so that they are its carrier tapes 4th , 8th with the textile fabric 1 or the assembly 9 lock mechanically. Additionally or alternatively, this locking or fastening can also take place by gluing, sewing or the like, as it is also conceivable that the textile fabric 1 directly the loop track 2 forms.

In the textile fabric 1 and in the assembly 9 are in the 1 , 2 electrical conductor tracks not shown, which are connected to the electrically conductive thread windings 10 , 11 are in electrical connection and form parts of electrical or electronic components or supply or connection lines to such. The conductor tracks can be designed in any way.

The 3rd , 4th show that the electrically conductive thread turns 10 , 11 of the two locking parts 5 , 6th are arranged crossing each other at right angles, during the 1 , 2 it can be seen that these thread windings 10 , 11 over the carrier tape 4th or. 8th are arranged protruding in the direction of the surface normal. In the in 5 shown closed state of the Velcro fastener 3rd in which the hook track 7th with the loop track 2 Therefore, the electrically conductive thread windings are hooked 10 , 11 elastically resiliently pressed against each other with a certain pre-tension, the intersecting orientation of the thread windings 11 , 12th reliable electrical contact between the thread windings 10 , 11 This is also guaranteed when the two carriers, which are essentially square in shape here 4th , 8th of the two locking parts 5 , 6th are joined to one another offset in one direction or the other.

With another, in the 6th , 7th Illustrated modified embodiment, the arrangement is made such that instead of the electrically conductive thread turns 10 , 11 the 1 to 5 a preferably pin-shaped or needle-shaped contact element 13th is provided that on the with the carrier tape 8th of the closure part 6th the Velcro fastener 3rd permanently connected assembly 9 is axially displaceable, resiliently mounted. This is by a spring 14th indicated against a spring washer 15th on the contact element 13th and a spring abutment, not shown, of the assembly 9 supports. The cylindrical contact element 13th protrudes over the adhesion elements 9 the hook track 7th in front and extends through a hole 16 in the carrier tape 8th of the closure part 6th . To him there is one on the textile surface structure 1 existing contact element 17th , for example by a conductor track of the textile fabric 1 is formed, assigned by a in the carrier tape 4th existing hole 16 for the contact element 13th is accessible. How out 7th can be seen, penetrates the contact element 13th when the Velcro fastener is closed 3rd the carrier tape 4th of the closure part 5 . It's on the contact part 17th of the textile fabric 1 pressed so that a reliable contact is guaranteed.

In an alternative embodiment, the needle-shaped contact element 13th also fixed to the assembly 9 be attached and with the Velcro fastener closed 3rd the contact element 17th of the textile fabric 1 penetrate or be firmly pressed against it.

The described type of electrical contact via a Velcro fastener is not only limited to the connection of electrical components with textiles, it can also be used to connect electrical components to one another.

• Auf einer Rundstrickmaschine für Socken (Teilung: 14, 168 Nadeln, Zylinderdurchmesser 3 ¾ Zoll) ist ein Strickschlauch aus einem Grundgarn in Form eines einfach umwundenen Fadens (EL/PA 22-78f68/21) gestrickt. Darauf sind zwei texturierte Garne aus Polypropylen (PP 70f72/1) plattiert.
• Die Grund- und Plattierfäden sind in den 13, 14 zusammengefasst mit 19 bezeichnet.

A non-limiting embodiment in the form of a bracelet for use of the new textile is in the 8-13 illustrated. The bracelet labeled 18 consists of a knitted fabric and can be worn on the upper arm, for example. It is used to monitor body temperature or perspiration or other body functions. The bracelet, also known as a measuring bracelet 18th is structured as follows:

• On a circular knitting machine for socks (pitch: 14, 168 needles, cylinder diameter 3 ¾ inches) a knitted tube is knitted from a base yarn in the form of a single wound thread (EL / PA 22-78f68 / 21). Two textured yarns made of polypropylene (PP 70f72 / 1) are plated on it.
• The ground and plating threads are in the 13th , 14th referred to collectively as 19.

In the knitted fabric worked, for example, as a simple right / left fabric, as from the stitch patterns according to the 13th , 14th to see, electrically conductive traces 20th incorporated, the basic course of which is in particular also derived from the 8-11 can be found. In the conductor tracks 20th is an electrically conductive yarn 21 knitted, which consists of an elastane thread (E1 20 dtex), which is wound with a thread made of polyamide (PA 44f13 / 1) and a silver-coated PA thread (44f12). This electrically conductive thread 21 is in the stitch pattern in the 13th , 14th Shown dark and according to the given pattern in the area of the conductor tracks 20th on the base and plating thread 19th additionally plated on. The conductor tracks 20th extend in the wale and wale directions. They can be incorporated using the inlay technique, but it is also possible to use the electrically conductive thread 21 to knit off in the area of the conductor tracks and to cut off outside of them after corresponding locking in the subsequent meshes or to leave them lying flat. In the area of the conductor track sections 26th that extend in the wale direction (cf. 13th ) can be used in stitches following one another in wale direction, electrically conductive threads 21 be knitted, which, as mentioned, are cut off at the edge of the area, with the interlaced loop loops of the stitches containing the electrically conductive yarn making perfect contact so that the current conduction in wale direction is ensured.

With the bracelet shown 18th are conductor tracks 20th provided, which run in pairs parallel to one another and extend over part of the circumference of the bracelet. On one side of the bracelet 18th , which lies on the side facing away from the wearer's body when the bracelet is worn, guide the conductor tracks 20th to four Velcro fasteners 3rd , their closure parts 4th each corresponding to the embodiment according to the 6th , 7th with a hole 16 are formed over the respectively assigned conductor track 20th opens out so that the entangled, electrically conductive yarn 21 in the area of the respective hole 16 is exposed. The four locking parts arranged roughly in the corners of an imaginary square 4th , serve as connection and contact points for four locking parts 8th of Velcro fasteners 3rd that are on the flat back 22nd a box-shaped device housing 23 in one of the distribution of the closure parts 4th corresponding arrangement are attached. The closure parts 8th are spring-loaded contact parts 13th assigned to that in 9 are indicated schematically by dots and to which in the device housing 23 housed parts of electronics are connected. When in use, the device housing 23 with its locking parts 8th on the closure parts 4th of the bracelet 18th placed in such a way that the needle-shaped or pin-shaped electrical contact elements 13th through the holes 16 reach through and with the conductor tracks underneath 20th make electrical contact.

On the closure parts 4th opposite side of the bracelet 18th , which faces the wearer's body during use, is a temperature sensor 24 ( 11 , 12th ), which in the illustrated embodiment with sections pointing in wale direction 26th of the conductor tracks 20th is in electrical connection. This electrical connection can also be made using Velcro fasteners 3rd happen, as has already been explained in detail. But it is also a direct connection with the electrically conductive yarn 21 of the conductor tracks possible. The temperature sensor 24 is when using the bracelet 18th near the armpit in order to record the body temperature in the armpit area as precisely as possible.

The bracelet 18th is double-layered. 11 shows a development of a section of the knitted tube with the pattern for the electrical conductor tracks 20th . There is only a Velcro lower part 4th illustrated. At the three remaining connection points for the device housing 23 are those under the respective closure part 4th in the area of its hole 16 protruding conductor track sections extending in wale direction 26th visible.

Because of the two-layer design of the bracelet 18th the tube is knitted in double length ( 11 ). The one on one side of a foldable edge 27 lying hose section 28 forms the outer layer of the finished bracelet 18th while the one on the other side of the foldable edge 27 lying hose section 29 forms the inner layer. The outer layer 28 and the inner layer 29 are sewn together at the edge at 30 after they have been folded down. The two-layer design of the bracelet ensures that the conductor tracks 20th and the sensor 24 when using the bracelet against the upper arm of the wearer through the inner layer 29 are covered.

The body temperature measurement described here with the temperature sensor 24 is just one possible application of the bracelet 18th . For example, the conductor tracks running parallel to one another could 20th can also be used to measure moisture by placing the electrical resistance between two opposing conductor tracks 20th is measured and monitored. This resistance changes as a function of the moisture absorption in the knitted fabric sections lying between the conductor tracks in which no electrically conductive thread is entangled.

Claims (15)

Textile goods that are provided with at least one electrical or electronic component (20) to which detachable contact means are assigned via which an electrical connection to the respective electrical or electronic component (20) can be established, the contact means at least one two releasably connectable to each other Velcro fastener (3) containing closure parts (5, 6), the closure parts (5, 6) of which are assigned to electrically conductive contact elements (10, 11, 13, 17) which are in electrical contact when the closure parts (5, 6) are connected to one another stand with each other and one of which with the electrical or electronic component (20, 24) in electrical Connection is, characterized in that the contact elements have at least one first contact element (13), which is inserted into a carrier tape (8) of a closure part (6) and resiliently mounted on the carrier tape (8) or a part (9, 23) connected to it the inside facing the other closure part (5) protrudes over the carrier tape (8) and which, when the closure parts (5, 6) are joined together, is in electrically conductive engagement with an associated second contact element (17, 20) of the other closure part (5). Textile goods according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the contact elements have a flexible contact part (10, 11, 12) inserted into at least one of the closure parts (5, 6). Textile goods according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the contact element (12) is wire or thread-shaped. Textile goods according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the wire or thread-like contact element (12) is connected to a carrier tape of the respective closure part. Textile goods according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the carrier strips of both closure parts are each connected to a contact element (10, 11) and the contact elements of the two carrier bands are arranged to cross one another when the closure parts are joined together. Textile goods according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the second contact element (17, 20) is arranged on a carrier tape (4) of the other closure part (5). Textile goods according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the second contact element (17, 20) is arranged on a part (1) connected to a carrier tape (4) of the other closure part (5). Textile goods according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the second contact element (17, 20) is arranged on the outer side of its carrier tape (4) which is penetrated by the first contact element (13) when the closure parts (5, 6) are joined together. Textile product according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a closure part (5, 6) with a carrier tape (4, 8) is arranged on the electrical or electronic component (20) or on a part connected to it. Textile product according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a closure part (5) is arranged on a textile flat structure (1) of the textile product which contains electrical conductor tracks (20). Textile goods according to Claim 10 , characterized in that the textile fabric (1) is a knitted fabric into which at least one electrically conductive yarn (21) forming electrical conductor tracks (20) is incorporated, which at least when the Velcro fastener (3) is closed with one of the contact elements in an electrically conductive connection stands. Textile goods according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the knitted fabric is designed as a bracelet (18). Textile goods according to Claim 11 or 12th , characterized in that the conductor tracks (20) extend in the direction of rows and / or wales of the knitted fabric in which electrically conductive yarn (21) is knitted. Textile goods according to Claim 12 or 13th , characterized in that the bracelet (18) is at least partially double-layered and the at least one Velcro fastener (3) is arranged on the side of the outer layer facing away from the body of a user. Use of the contact means according to one of the preceding claims for the electrical connection of electrical or electronic components to one another.

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