BE1030300B1 - ASSEMBLY OF A DEVICE TO A TEXTILE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to equipment (1) for assembling a device (10) to a textile (20). The textile (20) is stretched between two rollers (31, 32) and the device (10) is manipulated by a gripping tool (41). The textile (20) is illuminated from below by a first lighting system (59) and is observed by a first image sensor (51) located above, the images of which are analyzed in order to move the textile ( 20) via the two rollers (31, 32) and the device (10) via the gripping tool (41) so that their relative positioning gives rise to an electrical connection between connectors (11) of the device (10) and conductive threads (21) of the textile (20).

Description

Assembling a device to a textile

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to the assembly of a device to a textile.

Prior art

[0002] Assembling and electrically connecting a device to a rigid printed circuit board is a well-known process. Locating the conductive strips of the card in relation to the assembly system is easy since their location is precisely defined. Assembling a device to a textile comprising conductive wires and supplied in the form of a rolled strip, while creating an electrical connection, is more problematic because the location of the conductive wires is subject to variations, for example due to the voltage in the textile.

Summary of the invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to allow precise assembly between a device comprising electrical connectors and a textile comprising conductive wires

[0004] For this purpose, the invention proposes equipment for assembling a device to a textile, the device comprising electrical connectors and the textile comprising conductive wires, the equipment comprising: e a first and a second configured rollers to stretch the textile; e a placement system which includes a tool for gripping the device; e a visualization system that includes a first lighting system and a first image sensor configured to take images of the textile as it extends between the rollers, the first lighting system and the first image sensor being located, at least partially, on either side of the textile when it extends between the rollers; and e a control unit configured to control the gripping tool and at least one of the rollers on the basis of first information determined from images of the textile taken by the first image sensor.

[0005] In the system according to the invention, the textile extends between rollers which allow it to be moved and stretched, the device is moved by a handling tool, and the control unit controls the movement of the textile and moving the device based on information from a visualization system. The position of the conductive threads is visualized in a particularly precise manner thanks to the lighting system located on the other side of the textile in relation to the first image sensor, and which therefore allows lighting through the textile.

[0006] An additional advantage of the visualization system according to the invention is that it makes it possible to see whether any defects (for example loops) do not appear in the textile threads or the conductive threads.

[0007] The textile preferably comprises a first and a second conductive threads which intersect. The device preferably has a first and a second connector. An advantage of the visualization system according to the invention is that it makes it possible to locate the crossings of the conductive wires in order to arrange the device so that the first connector is electrically connected to the first conductive wire and the second connector is electrically connected to the second conductive wire . For example, the visualization system can make it possible to locate a crossing in the conductive wires.

[0008] The equipment according to the invention makes it possible to achieve at least the placement of the device in relation to the textile, as part of an assembly method. It does not necessarily carry out all the assembly steps.

[0009] The device is for example a sensor, for example of temperature, pressure and/or humidity. The device is preferably an electronic device, for example an electronic component or an electronic card. The device may be a diode.

The textile has the shape of a strip with a length which is at least 5 times the width, preferably at least 10 times. The textile can for example be a ribbon. Its length extends between the rollers. The textile can be elastic. The textile can be single-layer or multi-layer. The textile can be woven or non-woven. It may include threads, fibers and/or filaments. It can be made of cotton, wool, polymer…

[0011] The control unit may comprise a processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC., a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like, or any combination thereof, and may include discrete digital or analog circuit elements or electronic components, or combinations thereof.

[0012] The determination of the first information from the images of the textile can be carried out for example by the first image sensor, by the control unit, by an intermediate system such as a delocalized server, or by a combination of other least two of them.

[0013] The gripping tool can grab the device and move it vertically and horizontally depending on the width and/or length of the textile.

[0014] The first lighting system illuminates, preferably from below, a zone where the equipment is placed. The first image sensor takes images, preferably from above, at least from the placement zone. The gripping tool places the device on the textile in the placement area. The first lighting system preferentially illuminates the entire width of the textile. The first image sensor includes at least a first camera. The first image sensor at least makes it possible to locate where to place the device.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the first image sensor is mobile. Preferably, it is attached to the gripping tool.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the first image sensor is configured to take images of the device when it is manipulated by the gripping tool, the control unit being configured to control rotation of the tool gripping based on second information determined from images of the device taken by the first image sensor.

[0017] The images of the device make it possible to determine the angle of the device relative to the conductive wires. Indeed, the gripping tool does not necessarily always grab the device at the same angle, and must rotate it, during placement, so that the electrical connectors correspond to the conductive wires. Images of the device may be taken by a second camera of the first image sensor.

[0018] The determination of the second information from the images of the device can be carried out for example by the first image sensor, by the control unit, by an intermediate system such as a delocalized server, or by a combination of at least two of them.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the visualization system comprises a second lighting system, offset laterally from the textile when it extends between the rollers, and arranged to illuminate the device manipulated by the gripping tool during 'taking images by the first image sensor.

[0020] This ensures that the textile does not hinder the taking of images of the device and does not complicate the analysis of the images of the device. Preferably, the first image sensor is movable so as to be able to take images above the first and second lighting systems which are offset horizontally; and/or the first image sensor includes a first camera for taking images of the textile above the first lighting system and a second camera for taking images of the device above the second lighting system. 5 [0021] According to one embodiment, the placement system comprises a tool for depositing a fixing material.

The deposition of fixing material can be carried out so that it contacts one or more connectors of the device. Roller control is of particular interest when depositing the fastener material because inadequate tension in the textile results in poor precision on the position of the fastener material.

[0023] Another fixing method, not requiring fixing material, or in which the fixing material is present on the textile and/or the device before the textile arrives in the placement system, is quite possible. remaining within the scope of the invention.

The deposition tool is movable vertically and horizontally depending on the width and/or length of the textile and its movement is controlled by the control unit on the basis of the first information. Its actuation, that is to say the triggering of the deposition of the fixing material on the textile, is also preferably controlled by the control unit on the basis of the first information. The deposition tool may for example include a syringe whose actuation is controlled by the control unit.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, the deposition tool deposits the fixing material on the textile, preferably in the placement zone. In another embodiment of the invention, the deposition tool deposits the fixing material on the device, preferably in the placement zone. It is possible, while remaining within the scope of the invention, for fixing material to be deposited on the textile and on the device.

According to one embodiment, the deposition tool is configured to deposit a conductive glue.

The fixing material is preferably a conductive glue.

Any other fixing material is possible while remaining within the scope of the invention. However, conductive glue is preferred to a soldering technique which could melt the textile material, for example if it is polyester. In addition, the permeability of the textile allows ideal coating of the connectors. The conductive glue thus provides a mechanical fixing function between the textile and the device, and an electrical connection.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the equipment comprises a system for hardening the fixing material.

The hardening system is located between the placement system and the second roller. It is arranged to crosslink a polymer included in the fixing material. It may include an ultraviolet radiation emission system and/or a heating system. It can be controlled by the control unit. However, heating is preferred because the conductive glue contains metal particles that block UV. The heating temperature is preferably above 40°C and below 150°C to avoid damaging the textile if it contains a polymer, for example polyester.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the placement system comprises a support element controlled by the control unit on the basis of the first information so as to modify a tension in the textile.

[0031] It allows the textile to be kept at a distance from the first lighting system. Indeed, a hollow in the textile increases the probability that the fixing material will drip onto the first lighting system.

The support member may be between the ablation system and the first lighting system or between the first lighting system and the curing system.

[0032] The support element is configured to stretch the textile in the placement zone. It can be mobile vertically for example.

The support element is located, at least partially, below the textile.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the equipment comprises a system for ablation of an insulating sheath surrounding the conductive wires, the ablation system comprising an ablation zone in which the ablation of the insulating sheath is carried out.

The ablation system is located between the first roller and the placement system. It preferably includes a laser directed towards the ablation zone and allowing the sheath to be vaporized. It is possible, while remaining within the scope of the invention, that the conductive wires are not sheathed.

According to one embodiment, the visualization system comprises a second image sensor and a third lighting system located on either side of the textile when it extends between the rollers; the second image sensor being configured to take images of the textile in said ablation zone; the third lighting system being configured to illuminate said ablation zone; the control unit being configured to control the ablation system and/or at least one of the rollers on the basis of third information determined from the images taken by the second image sensor.

The second image sensor makes it possible to locate the conductive wires, which makes it possible to locate the places to be stripped. The third lighting system makes it possible to visualize the conductive wires in a particularly precise manner.

[0037] The determination of the third information from the images can be carried out for example by the second image sensor, by the control unit, by an intermediate system such as a delocalized server, or by a combination of at least two of them. The second image sensor includes at least one camera, which may be called a “third camera”. Preferably, the control unit is configured to control ignition and/or movement of the ablation system based on the third information.

[0038] The invention further relates to a method for assembling a device to a textile, the device comprising connectors and the textile comprising conductive threads, the method comprising the following steps: e extending the textile between a first and a second roller; e take the device with a gripping tool; e illuminate the textile with a first lighting system and take images of the textile with a first image sensor, the first lighting system and the first image sensor being located on either side of the textile; and e move, on the basis of first information determined from the images taken by the first image sensor, the textile with at least one of the rollers and the device with the gripping tool so as to place the device on the textile.

The images allow the control unit to locate the conductive wire to which (or the conductive wires to which) the device must be connected during its placement.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the method comprises depositing, with a deposition tool, a fixing material on at least one of the conductive wires so that the fixing material is between the device and the textile when the device is deposited on the textile.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the fixing material is a conductive glue configured to at least partially coat the device and to create an electrical connection between the electrical connectors of the device and the conductive wires of the textile.

[0042] The invention further proposes a computer program comprising instructions which cause equipment according to one of the embodiments of the invention to execute the steps of a method according to one of the embodiments of the invention.

[0043] The computer program preferably runs, at least part, on the control unit. It can also run on at least one image sensor of the display system and/or on an intermediate system such as a delocalized server.

[0044] The invention further provides a computer-readable medium on which this computer program is recorded.

Brief description of the figures

[0045] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for an understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures among which: - Figure 1 is a schematic bottom view, d 'a device placed on a textile; - Figure 2 is a schematic side view of equipment according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 is a schematic top view of equipment according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 4 is a schematic side view of equipment according to one embodiment of the invention; and - Figure 5 is a block diagram of equipment according to one embodiment of the invention.

Modes of carrying out the invention

The present invention is described with particular embodiments and references to figures but the invention is not limited by these. The drawings or figures described are only schematic, are not to scale, and are not limiting. In addition, the functions described may be performed by structures other than those described in this document.

[0047] In the context of this document, the terms "first" and "second" serve only to differentiate the different elements and do not imply an order between these elements.

[0048] In the figures, identical or similar elements may bear the same references.

[0049] In the context of this document, the longitudinal direction corresponds to the length of the textile, and the lateral direction corresponds to the width of the textile.

[0050] Figure 1 shows the result of a method according to one embodiment of the invention: we see a device 10 comprising connectors 11 assembled to a textile 20 comprising conductive threads 21 and textile threads 22 by a material of fastening 12. The conductive wires 21 are, at least partially, in an electrically conductive material, which can be surrounded by an insulator, for example in the form of a sheath. The textile threads 22 are preferably made of an electrically insulating material. The device 10 is connected to at least two conductive wires 21, which cross in the example illustrated. In another example, they might not cross paths. The fixing material 12 allows the mechanical fixing between the textile 20 and the device 10, and preferably also the electrical connection between, on the one hand, a first connector 11 and a first conductive wire 21 and, on the other hand, a second connector 11 and a second conductive wire 21.

[0051] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate two variations of equipment 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 also illustrates two bare zones 25 of the conductive wires 21. The equipment 1 makes it possible to position the device 10 on the textile 20 so that the connectors 11 are in contact with the two bare zones 25.

Preferably, it allows the fixing material to be applied beforehand

12 (visible in figure 1). It includes a first 31 and a second 32 rollers which tension the textile 20.

[0052] The equipment 1 comprises a placement system 40 which comprises a gripping tool 41 of the device 10 which makes it possible to place the device 10 in a placement zone 24. The placement system 40 preferably comprises a depositing tool 42 allowing to deposit a fixing material 12 on the textile 20 in the placement zone.

The depositing tool 42 can be fixed to the gripping tool 41. The placement system 40 preferably comprises a support element 35 located between the two rollers 31, 32 and making it possible to tension the textile 20 in the placement zone 24 For example, it can be under the textile 20 and rise in order to increase the tension in the textile 20.

[0053] The equipment 1 comprises a visualization system 50 comprising a first lighting system 59 illuminating the placement zone 24, and a first image sensor 51 configured to take images of the textile 20, and in particular of the threads conductors 21, in the placement zone 24. The first lighting system 59 is preferably offset longitudinally from the support element 35. The first image sensor 51 may include several cameras which may or may not be fixed together. Each can be mobile or fixed.

Equipment 1 includes a control unit 60. The first image sensor 51 takes images of the textile 20, and sends first information 151 (FIG. 5) from these images to the control unit 60. The control unit 60 determines the movement of the device 10 (and therefore of the gripping tool 41) and/or of the textile 20 (and therefore of the rollers 31, 32 and potentially of the support element 35) and controls the gripping tool 41 and/or the rollers 31, 32 and/or the support element so that the device 10 is deposited on the bare areas 25 of the textile 20. In addition, the control unit 60 can control the deposition tool 42 for depositing the fixing material 12 on the textile 20.

[0055] The visualization system 50 may comprise a second lighting system 58, offset horizontally from the rollers 31, 32 so as to be offset from the textile 20. When the gripping tool 41 takes the device 10, the latter can be turned in any direction. For example, the way in which it is rotated in Figure 3 is not suitable for placement on the two bare areas 25. To allow the device 10 to be rotated in the appropriate manner, it is brought by the gripping tool 41 above the second lighting system 58. The first image sensor 51 takes images of the device 10, and sends second information 152 (figure 5) from these images to the control unit 60.

The control unit 60 determines the appropriate rotation angle and controls the gripping tool 41 to achieve the proper rotation. The device 10 is turned by the gripping tool 41 then brought above the placement zone 24.

[0056] Figure 4 illustrates equipment 1 according to one embodiment of the invention which, in addition to the elements described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, comprises a system 70 for removing an insulating sheath surrounding the conductive wires 21 , and a hardening system 80 of the fixing material 12. A strip of textile stretched by the rollers 31, 32 is present in the ablation system 70, the placement system 40, and the hardening system 80.

The ablation system 70 comprises an ablation zone 27, offset longitudinally from the placement zone 24. The two rollers 31, 32 make it possible to tension the textile 20 in the ablation zone 27. The ablation system ablation 70 preferably comprises a laser 71 directed towards the ablation zone 27. The visualization system 50 preferably comprises a second image sensor 53 and a third lighting system 57 located on either side of the textile 20 when it extends into the ablation zone 27. The third lighting system 57 illuminates the textile 20 in the ablation zone 27. The second image sensor 53 takes images of the conductive threads 21 of the textile 20 in the ablation zone 27. The second image sensor 53 sends third information 153 from the images of the textile 20 in the ablation zone 27 to the control unit 60. The control unit 60 controls the system ablation 70 (for example by turning on or off the laser 71 and/or by moving the laser 71) and/or at least one of the rollers 31, 32 (so as to move the textile 20) based on third information 153.

The system 80 for curing the fixing material 12 preferably comprises a heating means 81, for example an infrared heating tunnel, configured to heat the fixing material 12 located on the textile 20. The means of heating 81 is preferably controlled by the control unit 60.

[0059] Although the figures represent the textile 20 as horizontal, it could be inclined, at least in certain areas, while remaining within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, although it is preferred that the image sensors 51, 53 are located above the textile 20 and the lighting systems 59, 57 below, the opposite is possible while remaining within the framework of the invention.

[0060] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the interactions between different elements of equipment 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. The visualization system 50 provides the control unit 60, directly or indirectly, with first information 151 based on the images of the textile 20 taken by the first image sensor 51 in the placement zone 24. On these images, the textile 20 is illuminated by the first lighting system 59 so that the light passes through the textile 20. On the basis of the first information 151, the control unit 60 controls:

e a system of rollers 30, in particular the first 31 and/or the second 32 roller(s) for moving the textile 20 forward or backward and/or tensioning or relaxing it; e the gripping tool 41 to move the device 10 laterally and vertically, and potentially longitudinally; e preferably, the deposition tool 42 to move it laterally and vertically, and potentially longitudinally and/or actuate it; e preferably, the support element 35 for stretching or relaxing the textile 20 on the placement zone 24; e potentially the heating means 81 to turn it on or off.

[0061] There is thus a feedback loop between the relative positioning of the device 10 and the textile 20 and the visualization thanks to the images of the textile 20 taken by the first image sensor 51 in the placement zone 24.

[0062] Preferably, the visualization system 50 provides the control unit 60, directly or indirectly, with second information 152 based on the images of the device 10 taken by the first image sensor 51 outside the placement zone 24 In these images, the device 10 is illuminated by the second lighting system 58, and preferably the textile 20 does not appear. Based on the second information 152, the control unit 60 controls the gripping tool 41 to rotate the device 10 around a vertical axis.

[0063] The visualization system 50 provides the control unit 60, directly or indirectly, with third information 153 based on the images of the textile 20 taken by the second image sensor 53 in the ablation zone 27. On these images , the textile 20 is illuminated by the second lighting system 57 so that the light passes through the textile 20. On the basis of the third information 153, the control unit 60 controls:

e the system of rollers 30, in particular the first 31 and/or the second 32 roller(s) for moving the textile 20 forward or backward and/or tensioning or relaxing it; and/or the ablation system 70, in particular the laser 71 to move it laterally and vertically, and potentially longitudinally and/or turn it on or off.

[0064] In other words, the invention relates in particular to equipment 1 and a method for assembling a device 10 to a textile 20. The textile 20 is stretched between two rollers 31, 32 and the device 10 is manipulated by a gripping tool 41. The textile 20 is illuminated from below by a first lighting system 59 and is observed by a first image sensor 51 located above, the images of which are analyzed in order to move the textile 20 via the two rollers 31, 32 and the device 10 via the gripping tool 41 so that their relative positioning gives rise to an electrical connection between connectors 11 of the device 10 and conductive wires 21 of the textile 20.

The present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which have purely illustrative value and should not be considered limiting. Generally speaking, the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and/or described above. The use of the verbs “understand”, “include”, “include”, or any other variant, as well as their conjugations, cannot in any way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use of the indefinite article "UN", "une", or the definite article "le", "la" or "l'", to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements. The reference numbers in the claims do not limit their scope.

Claims (15)

Claims 1. Equipment (1) for assembling a device (10) to a textile (20), the device (10) comprising electrical connectors (11) and the textile (20) comprising conductive wires (21), the equipment (1) comprising: e a first (31) and a second (32) rollers configured to stretch the textile (20); e a placement system (40) which comprises a gripping tool (41) of the device (10); e a visualization system (50) which comprises a first lighting system (59) and a first image sensor (51) configured to take images of the textile (20) as it extends between the rollers (30 ), the first lighting system (59) and the first image sensor (51) being located, at least partially, on either side of the textile (20) when it extends between the rollers (30 ) ; and e a control unit (60) configured to control the gripping tool (41) and at least one of the rollers (31, 32) on the basis of first information (151) determined from the images of the textile (20) taken by the first image sensor (51). 2. Equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first image sensor (51) is mobile. 3. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first image sensor (51) is configured to take images of the device (10) when it is manipulated by the gripping tool (41), the control unit (60) being configured to control a rotation of the gripping tool (41) on the basis of second information (152) determined from the images of the device (10) taken by the first image sensor (51). 4. Equipment according to the preceding claim, in which the visualization system (50) comprises a second lighting system (58), offset laterally from the textile (20) when it extends between the rollers (30), and arranged to illuminate the device (10) manipulated by the gripping tool (41) when images are taken by the first image sensor (51). 5. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the placement system (40) comprises a depositing tool (42) of a fixing material (12). 6. Equipment according to the preceding claim, in which the deposition tool (42) is configured to deposit a conductive glue. 7. Equipment according to any one of claims 5 or 6, comprising a hardening system (80) of the fixing material (12). 8. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the placement system (40) comprises a support element (35) controlled by the control unit (60) on the basis of the first information (151) so as to modify a tension in the textile (20). 9. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an ablation system (70) of an insulating sheath surrounding the conductive wires (21), the ablation system (70) comprising an ablation zone (27 ) in which the ablation of the insulating sheath is carried out. 10. Equipment according to the preceding claim, in which the visualization system (50) comprises a second image sensor (53) and a third lighting system (57) located on either side of the textile (20) when it extends between the rollers (30); the second image sensor (53) being configured to take images of the textile (20) in said ablation zone (27); the third lighting system (57) being configured to illuminate said ablation zone (27); the control unit (60) being configured to control the ablation system (70) and/or at least one of the rollers (31, 32) on the basis of third information (153) determined from the images taken by the second image sensor (53). 11. Method for assembling a device (10) to a textile (20), the device (10) comprising connectors (11) and the textile (20) comprising conductive wires (21), the method comprising the following steps : e extend the textile (20) between a first (31) and a second (32) roller; e take the device (10) with a gripping tool (41); e illuminate the textile (20) with a first lighting system (59) and take images of the textile (20) with a first image sensor (51), the first lighting system (59) and the first sensor images (51) being located on either side of the textile (20); and e move, on the basis of first information (151) determined from the images taken by the first image sensor (51), the textile (20) with at least one of the rollers (31, 32) and the device (10 ) with the gripping tool (41) so as to place the device (10) on the textile (20). 12. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising depositing, with a deposition tool (42), a fixing material (12) on at least one of the conductive wires (21) so that the fixing material (12) is between the device (10) and the textile (20) when the device (10) is deposited on the textile (20). 13. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the fixing material (12) is a conductive glue configured to at least partially coat the device (10) and to create an electrical connection between the electrical connectors (11) of the device (10) and the conductive threads (21) of the textile (20). 14. Computer program comprising instructions which cause equipment (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to execute the steps of the method according to claim 12 or 13. 15. Computer-readable medium, on which the computer program according to claim 14 is recorded.