IP Library Granted Patent US 9,885,621
Granted Patent B2
US 9,885,621 · App. 15/137,736 · Granted Feb 6, 2018

Stitched stretch sensor

Inventors: Lucy E. Dunne (Minneapolis, MN); Guido Gioberto (Minneapolis, MN)
Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
G01L1/2287D05B93/00D05B97/08D05B97/12G01B7/18G01L1/205
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,885,621
App. No.
15/137,736
Granted
Feb 6, 2018
Kind
B2
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 (25)

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.

Assignments (1)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded May 17, 2016
From: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
To: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 038723/0634 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 14193892 · Feb 28, 2014
Provisional Application 61770583 · Feb 28, 2013
Provisional Application 61932163 · Jan 27, 2014
Related Publication 20160238468A1 · Aug 18, 2016