KR20190057804A - Band type febric sensor and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a band type fabric sensor, which is one type of body-mounted sensor, and a manufacturing method thereof. The band type fabric sensor comprises: a band type base fabric manufactured using dielectric yarn; a gauze disposed on the base fabric and made of conductive yarn or yarn in which conductive particles are dispersed; a polymer material disposed on the base fabric and covered by the gauze; and a sensing circuit sensing the resistance change according to change in volume when the volume is changed as acidity (pH) or the temperature is changed since the polymer material is wetted by liquid containing body fluid.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a band-

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a body-mounted sensor, and more particularly, to a band-type fabric sensor and a manufacturing method thereof.

Background Art [0002] Biomedical signal measurement technology using a body-mounted sensor has been conducted mainly in development of a sensor composed of materials and circuits that can be stretched to meet human skin characteristics. Until now, development has been progressing with the focus on circuit board and electronic device packaging technology, antenna and communication technology, material and detachment technology, but it is difficult to solve elasticity, flexibility and mass production technology problem.

US Patent Publication No. 7,813,806 (Oct. 12, 2010)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a band-type fabric sensor in which an electrode material can be uniformly arranged in a body fluid sensitive polymer material by using a material in which a conductive material or conductive particles are dispersed, The purpose is to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a band-type fabric sensor having flexibility and stretchability, which is easy to attach and detach, and which can be easily applied to a mass production process, by using a disposable vaneless structure widely used for protecting a wound, and a manufacturing method thereof.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a band-type fabric sensor comprising: a band-shaped base fabric manufactured using a dielectric constant chamber; A gauze disposed on the base and made of a yarn in which a conductive yarn or conductive particles are dispersed; A polymeric material disposed on the base fabric and covered by the gauze; And a sensing circuit that senses a change in resistance according to a change in the volume when the polymer material is wetted by the liquid containing the body fluid and the volume changes as the pH or the temperature changes.

In one embodiment, the electrode material composed of the material in which the conductive particles or the conductive particles are dispersed is uniformly arranged in the body fluid responsive polymer material. Constant arrangements include, but are not limited to, equal spacing, regular grid arrangements, etc., and may have varying curvatures depending on the gauze method and material of the gauze. However, in any case, the average density per unit area of the electrode material of the gauze or the injection quantity may have a deviation of less than a certain value. That is, the average density or injection amount per unit area of the electrode material of the gauze may be significantly the same within the error range.

In one embodiment, the polymeric material may comprise a hydrogel. The average diameter of the hydrogel may be 0.1 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

In one embodiment, the gauze may have a density that increases the amount of contact of adjacent conductive yarns or adjacent yarns in response to a compression change of the polymeric material as the volume changes. The density of the gauze may be less than 1/3 of the base fabric and less than 10 threads in a diameter of 1 cm on the basis of a densimeter.

In one embodiment, the Gus may have at least a double-layer structure or a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of layers overlap. The material of the gauze may be cotton, silk, rayon, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the length of the base fabric may be less than 20 cm, and the width may be less than 5 cm.

In one embodiment, the conductive particles may comprise carbon black, carbon nanotubes, metal particles, metal fibers, graphene, or a combination thereof.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of fabricating a band-type fabric sensor, the method comprising: preparing a band-shaped base fabric made of dielectric constant yarns and having wiring; Attaching an electronic element to the base fabric and connecting one end of the wiring; Preparing a gauze on which an electrode material composed of a conductive material or a conductive material-dispersed material is uniformly arranged on an average; A step of surrounding the center of one side of the base fabric and leaving a part of the edge of the gauze to be connected to the other end of the wiring and bonding the edge to the base fabric; And inserting a polymeric material that is wetted by the liquid containing body fluids into the central portion through a portion of the gauze and changes its volume as the pH or temperature changes, and blocking the portion of the polymeric material, Detects a resistance change due to the change in the volume.

In one embodiment, the joining step may include a step of joining the other end of the wire with the conductive yarn or the conductive fiber-dispersed yarn so as to be electrically connected to each other, and then covering the wire with the conductive fiber and coating the hot melt with the conductive fiber.

In one embodiment, the sensing circuit may be implemented to calculate a resistance change by Young's modulus, bulk modulus, or a combination thereof.

Using the above-described band-type fabric sensor and its manufacturing method, it is possible to manufacture a sensor sensitive to body fluid emitted from the skin with a simple structure and material, and it is easy to introduce it into a mass production process. For reference, conventional techniques for measuring biological signals on skin have been difficult to develop device packaging, detachment, and mass production process technology, but the present invention can solve the problems of such prior arts.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a band-like fabric sensor which can be widely applied to healthcare and medical fields. In particular, the present invention can be effectively applied to bio-signal measurement which can be measured in skin, continuous treatment of wound treatment, There is an advantage.

1 is a plan view of a band-type fabric sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the band-type fabric sensor of Fig. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a material in which a conductive yarn or conductive particles dispersed for use in the band-type fabric sensor of FIG. 1 is dispersed.
Figure 4 is a partial side view of an evacuator for use with the banded fabric sensor of Figure 1;
Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic device that can be used in the band-type fabric sensor of Fig. 1;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is capable of various modifications and various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is also to be understood that the terms " comprising, " " including, " or " having ", when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a plan view of a band-type fabric sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the band-type fabric sensor of Fig. 1; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a material in which a conductive yarn or conductive particles dispersed for use in the band-type fabric sensor of FIG. 1 is dispersed. Figure 4 is a partial side view of an evacuator for use with the banded fabric sensor of Figure 1; Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic device that can be used in the band-type fabric sensor of Fig. 1;

The band-type fabric sensor according to the present embodiment includes a base fabric 10, a gauze 20, a polymer material 30 and an electronic device 40, as shown in Fig. In the band-type fabric sensor, the gauze 20 and the electronic device 40 are connected via the wiring 50, and one end of the base fabric 10 may be coated with an adhesive component.

The length L1 of the base fabric 10 may be less than 20 cm and the width W1 may be less than 5 cm. This limits the largest dimension in the normal band form, but a larger size base fabric 10 may be used depending on the application.

The base fabric 10 is fabricated using a dielectric constant chamber. The base fabric 10 may include a wire 50 formed using a conductive yarn or a material (yarn) in which conductive particles are dispersed.

The gauze 20 may be made of a material (yarn) disposed on one side of the base fabric 10 and having a conductive yarn or conductive particles dispersed therein. The conductive particles may include carbon black, carbon nanotubes, metal particles, metal fibers, graphene, or combinations thereof. The term " gauze " in this embodiment is a type of fabric and may be referred to as a conductive fabric.

Electrode materials composed of a conductive material or a material in which conductive particles are dispersed are uniformly arranged in the body fluid responsive polymer material. Constant arrangements include, but are not limited to, equal spacing, regular grid arrangements, etc., and may have varying curvatures depending on the gauze method and material of the gauze. However, in any case, the average density per unit area of the electrode material of the gauze or the injection quantity may have a deviation of less than a certain value. That is, the average density or injection amount per unit area of the electrode material of the gauze may be significantly the same within the error range.

The gauze 20 may be manufactured to have a density such that the amount of contact between adjacent conductive yarns or adjacent chambers increases in accordance with the pressing change of the polymer material 30 as the volume of the polymer material 30 changes. The density of the gauzes 20 may be less than one-third of the base fabric 10 and less than or equal to ten threads in a diameter of 1 cm on the basis of a densimeter.

Further, the gauze 20 may have at least a double-layer structure or a multilayer structure in which a plurality of layers 21, 22, and 23 are superimposed (see FIG. 2). The material of the gauzes 20 may be cotton, silk, rayon, or a combination thereof.

3, the yarn 210 in which the conductive particles or the conductive particles included in the gauzes 20 are dispersed is sandwiched between the dielectric layer 211 and the surface of the carbon fiber by the carbon nanotubes or grains And may include dispersion of the fins 213. The seal 210 may further include an additive 214 dispersed together with the carbon nanotubes or the graphene 213 by a binder 212. The additive material 214 may include graphite powder.

4, the dielectric 220 included in the gauze 20 may have a multifilament shape in which the dielectric constant chamber 211 and the conductive fiber 210 are twisted.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the polymeric material 30 may be disposed at the center of one side of the base fabric 10 and covered by the gauze 20. The polymer material (30) changes in volume as the polymer material is wetted by the liquid containing the body fluid and changes in pH or temperature.

The polymeric material 30 may include a hydrogel. The polymeric material 30 may have a spherical shape, and the average diameter may be 0.1 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

The electronic device 40 senses a resistance change due to a change in volume of the polymer material 30. The electronic device 40 may include a sensing circuit or may correspond to a sensing circuit. The electronic device 40 may include a power supply unit that applies a predetermined voltage to both ends of the gauze 20 through the wiring 50. [ The electronic device 40 may have a semiconductor chip or module structure or shape. The electronic device 40 may include hardware components such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the like.

The electronic device 40 may include a power source unit (not shown), a signal sensing unit 42, a comparison unit 44, a biological signal processing unit 46, and an output unit 48 as shown in FIG. The power supply unit can apply a predetermined voltage to the conductive terminals of the gauze 20 or both terminal portions of the conductive fiber via the wiring 50. The power unit may include a battery, a piezoelectric generator, a thermocouple, and the like. The piezoelectric generator and the thermal battery may be fabricated using carbon fiber.

The signal sensing unit 42 senses a physical quantity (resistance or the like) due to a volume change of the polymer material 30 which is connected between the power supply unit and the gauze 20 and is covered with the gauze 20. The signal detecting unit 42 may include a signal amplifying unit for amplifying a physical quantity according to a volume change. The input terminal of the signal sensing unit 42 may correspond to at least one of the input terminals of the signal amplification unit as an input unit of the electronic device 40. [

The comparing unit 44 compares the output signal of the signal detecting unit 42 with a reference signal or a reference level.

The bio-signal processing unit 46 can detect a predetermined bio-signal based on the signal determined through the comparing unit 44 among the detection signals. Using these bio-signals, it is possible to perform wound healing, continuous monitoring of the wound healing process, and the like.

In addition, the electronic device 40 may include an output unit 48 for outputting a sensing signal sensed by the signal sensing unit 42 or a corresponding biological signal. The output unit 48 may include a connector, an antenna of a communication subsystem, a display device, and the like. The communication subsystem may include a communication module for wireless communication, and the wireless communication may include short range wireless communication, mobile communication, and the like.

The connector may be employed by selecting at least one of various conventional forms. The connector may include a universal serial bus (USB). A connector, a communication subsystem, or the like, it is possible to connect a portable terminal such as a smart phone and display a biosignal, a wound healing process, and the like on a screen through an application installed in the portable terminal. Of course, the bio-signals can be sent to a healthcare server or the like and used to monitor personal healthcare.

The output unit may be embodied as a display device that additionally includes or replaces a connector or a communication subsystem. In this case, the output unit may be implemented to display the bio-signal detected by a liquid crystal display (LED) or the like in a predetermined number or character form .

In the method of fabricating a band-type fabric sensor according to the present embodiment, a band-shaped base fabric, which is manufactured using a dielectric constant chamber and has wiring, can be prepared first. You can then attach an electronic device to the base fabric and connect one end of the wire.

Next, it is possible to prepare a gauze in which an electrode material composed of a conductive material or a material in which conductive particles are dispersed is uniformly arranged on the average.

Next, the remaining edge of the gauze can be bonded to the base fabric while leaving a part of the edge of the gauze so that the center of the one side of the base fabric is surrounded and connected to the other end of the wiring.

The polymer material, which is wetted by the liquid containing the body fluids and whose volume changes as the pH or the temperature changes, may be inserted through the part of the gauze and the part may be blocked.

Next, the sensing circuit of the electronic device can sense the resistance change due to the volume change of the polymer material. The sensing circuit may be implemented to calculate the resistance change by Young's modulus, bulk modulus, or a combination thereof.

The joining step may include a step of joining the other end of the wire with the conductive fiber so that the conductive yarn or the material (yarn) in which the conductive particles are dispersed are electrically connected to each other, and then coating the same with hot melt. Of course, depending on the implementation, a stitching connection structure can be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the length in the longitudinal direction is about four times larger than the length in the width direction. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and a rectangle, a square, a triangle, , A half-moon shape, a star shape, or the like.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. I will understand. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should be defined by the claims.

Claims (11)

A band-shaped base fabric produced using a dielectric constant chamber;
A gauze disposed on the base and made of a yarn in which a conductive yarn or conductive particles are dispersed;
A polymeric material disposed on the base fabric and covered by the gauze; And
And a sensing circuit that senses a change in resistance according to a change in volume when the polymer material is wetted by the liquid containing the body fluid and changes in volume as pH or temperature changes. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the polymeric material comprises a hydrogel. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the average diameter of the hydrogel is 0.1 mm or more and 1 mm or less. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the gauze has a density at which the amount of contact between adjacent conductive yarns or adjacent yarns increases with a change in the compression of the polymeric material as the volume changes. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the density of the gauzes is less than 1/3 of the base fabric and less than 10 fibers in a diameter of 1 cm on a densimeter basis. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the guss has at least a double-layer structure, a multi-layer structure of two or more layers in which a plurality of layers are overlapped, and a twill structure or a double-layer structure. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the material of the gauze is a cotton, silk, rayon, or a combination thereof. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the base fabric has a length less than 20 cm and a width less than 5 cm. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the conductive particles comprise carbon black, carbon nanotubes, metal particles, metal fibers, graphene, or combinations thereof. Preparing a band-shaped base fabric made of a dielectric constant chamber and having wiring;
Attaching an electronic element to the base fabric and connecting one end of the wiring;
Preparing a gauze on which an electrode material composed of a conductive material or a conductive material-dispersed material is uniformly arranged on an average;
A step of surrounding the center of one side of the base fabric and leaving a part of the edge of the gauze to be connected to the other end of the wiring and bonding the edge to the base fabric; And
Inserting a polymeric material which is wetted by the liquid containing body fluids into the central part through a part of the gauze and whose volume changes as the pH or temperature changes, and blocking the part,
Wherein the sensing circuit of the electronic device senses a change in resistance due to the change in volume. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the bonding step is performed with a conductive material so that the other end of the wiring and the conductive material or the conductive particle-dispersed material are electrically connected to each other, and the conductive material is coated with hot melt.

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