WO2022087715A1 - Tubular garment - Google Patents
Tubular garment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2022087715A1 WO2022087715A1 PCT/CA2021/051404 CA2021051404W WO2022087715A1 WO 2022087715 A1 WO2022087715 A1 WO 2022087715A1 CA 2021051404 W CA2021051404 W CA 2021051404W WO 2022087715 A1 WO2022087715 A1 WO 2022087715A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- knitting
- fabric panel
- bed
- conductive
- tubular
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 237
- 238000009940 knitting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 218
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 44
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 235000004879 dioscorea Nutrition 0.000 claims description 64
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 description 30
- 210000003205 muscle Anatomy 0.000 description 12
- 238000002567 electromyography Methods 0.000 description 9
- 210000003414 extremity Anatomy 0.000 description 9
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000015654 memory Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000000638 stimulation Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 244000309466 calf Species 0.000 description 3
- 230000036541 health Effects 0.000 description 3
- 210000003127 knee Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000009941 weaving Methods 0.000 description 3
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000002683 foot Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000005021 gait Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009958 sewing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000005476 soldering Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 206010003402 Arthropod sting Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002334 Spandex Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000005856 abnormality Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000036982 action potential Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000004556 brain Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000003169 central nervous system Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000009945 crocheting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009950 felting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000000245 forearm Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000002414 leg Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003278 mimic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000000663 muscle cell Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000004118 muscle contraction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002232 neuromuscular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000037081 physical activity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000007115 recruitment Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000002027 skeletal muscle Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 206010040872 skin infection Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000004759 spandex Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000003371 toe Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
- A41B11/00—Hosiery; Panti-hose
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04B—KNITTING
- D04B1/00—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes
- D04B1/10—Patterned fabrics or articles
- D04B1/12—Patterned fabrics or articles characterised by thread material
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04B—KNITTING
- D04B1/00—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes
- D04B1/22—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration
- D04B1/24—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration wearing apparel
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04B—KNITTING
- D04B1/00—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes
- D04B1/22—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration
- D04B1/24—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration wearing apparel
- D04B1/26—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration wearing apparel stockings
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04B—KNITTING
- D04B21/00—Warp knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes
- D04B21/20—Warp knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting articles of particular configuration
- D04B21/207—Wearing apparel or garment blanks
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2401/00—Physical properties
- D10B2401/16—Physical properties antistatic; conductive
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2401/00—Physical properties
- D10B2401/18—Physical properties including electronic components
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2403/00—Details of fabric structure established in the fabric forming process
- D10B2403/02—Cross-sectional features
- D10B2403/024—Fabric incorporating additional compounds
- D10B2403/0243—Fabric incorporating additional compounds enhancing functional properties
- D10B2403/02431—Fabric incorporating additional compounds enhancing functional properties with electronic components, e.g. sensors or switches
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2403/00—Details of fabric structure established in the fabric forming process
- D10B2403/03—Shape features
- D10B2403/033—Three dimensional fabric, e.g. forming or comprising cavities in or protrusions from the basic planar configuration, or deviations from the cylindrical shape as generally imposed by the fabric forming process
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2403/00—Details of fabric structure established in the fabric forming process
- D10B2403/03—Shape features
- D10B2403/033—Three dimensional fabric, e.g. forming or comprising cavities in or protrusions from the basic planar configuration, or deviations from the cylindrical shape as generally imposed by the fabric forming process
- D10B2403/0333—Three dimensional fabric, e.g. forming or comprising cavities in or protrusions from the basic planar configuration, or deviations from the cylindrical shape as generally imposed by the fabric forming process with tubular portions of variable diameter or distinct axial orientation
Definitions
- the disclosure relates generally to wearable electronics, and more specifically to smart textiles.
- Smart textiles are materials that sense and/or react to environmental conditions or stimuli, such as those from mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, magnetic or other sources. There is a need for improved ways for forming smart textiles into wearable garments of different types and configurations.
- a method of manufacturing a tubular garment using a knitting machine that includes a first knitting bed and a second knitted bed.
- the method includes: knitting a first fabric panel using a first subset of knitting needles of the first knitting bed and knitting a second fabric panel using a first subset of needles of the second knitting bed, the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel being joined to define a first tubular portion of the tubular garment; transferring the first fabric panel from the first knitting bed to the second knitting bed, the first fabric panel thereupon being held by a second subset of needles of the second knitting bed; knitting a third fabric panel on the first knitting bed using a second subset of needles of the first knitting bed; joining the third fabric panel to the first fabric panel to define a second tubular portion of the tubular garment; disposing an electrically conductive bus in the second tubular portion for electrical communication with at least one conductive yam integrated within the tubular garment.
- a first fabric panel a second fabric panel that is adjoined to the first fabric panel, the second fabric panel being formed integrally with the first fabric panel to define a first tubular portion of the tubular garment; a third fabric panel that is adjoined to the first fabric panel on a surface of the first fabric panel, the third fabric panel and the first fabric panel defining a second tubular portion, wherein a conductive bus is disposed within the second tubular portion for electrical communication with at least one conductive yarn integrated within the tubular garment.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system used for manufacturing a tubular garment, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIGS. 2A-2D are a top view, front perspective view, side view and front view, respectively, of a tubular garment, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first fabric panel of a tubular garment having conductive yam inlaid within the first fabric panel, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIGS. 4A-4C are a front perspective view, a rear elevation view, and a rear perspective view, respectively, of a tubular garment having a plurality of electronic components integrated within a tubular portion of the tubular garment, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for manufacturing a tubular garment, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a configuration of a knitting machine when knitting a first fabric panel and a second fabric panel of a tubular garment, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a configuration of a knitting machine after the first fabric panel of FIG. 5A is temporarily transferred from a first knitting bed to a second knitting bed and during knitting of a third fabric panel of a tubular garment, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 6C is a perspective view of a configuration of knitting machine after the first fabric panel of FIG. 5B is transferred back to a first knitting bed and after the third fabric panel of FIG. 5B is knitted, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tubular garment, in accordance with an embodiment.
- tubular garments and methods useful for manufacturing a tubular garment discloses tubular garments and methods useful for manufacturing a tubular garment.
- a tubular garment disclosed herein include a first tubular portion defined by a first fabric panel and a second fabric panel and a second tubular portion defined by the first fabric panel and a third fabric panel.
- a conductive bus including one or more electrically conductive wires may be disposed within the second tubular portion between the first fabric panel and the third fabric panel.
- the conductive bus may be electrically coupled to at least one electrically conductive yam integrated within the tubular garment.
- the methods disclosed herein for manufacturing the tubular garment may include knitting the first fabric panel in a first knitting bed of a knitting machine and knitting the second fabric panel in a second knitting bed of the knitting machine. In some embodiments, the methods disclosed herein may include temporarily transferring the first fabric panel from the first knitting bed to the second knitting bed to allow the third fabric panel to be knitted in the first knitting bed.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 10 for manufacturing tubular garment 22 (as shown in FIG. 2A-2D).
- System 10 may include controller 14 and one or more user input devices 12 (referred hereinafter in the singular).
- Controller 14 may be configured to receive input from user input device 12 via one or more communication terminals/ports.
- Controller 14 may include one or more data processors 20 (referred hereinafter in the singular) and one or more computer-readable memories 16 (referred hereinafter in the singular) storing machine-readable instructions 18 executable by data processor 20 and configured to cause data processor 20 to generate one or more outputs (e.g., signals) for causing the execution of one or more steps of the methods described herein.
- data processors 20 referred hereinafter in the singular
- computer-readable memories 16 storing machine-readable instructions 18 executable by data processor 20 and configured to cause data processor 20 to generate one or more outputs (e.g., signals) for causing the execution of one or more steps of the methods described herein.
- Data processor 20 may include any suitable device(s) configured to cause a series of steps to be performed by controller 14 so as to implement a computer-implemented process such that instructions 18, when executed by controller 14 or other programmable apparatus, may cause the functions/actions specified in the methods described herein to be executed.
- Data processor 20 may include, for example, any type of general-purpose microprocessor or microcontroller, a digital signal processing (DSP) processor, an integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a reconfigurable processor, other suitably programmed or programmable logic circuits, or any combination thereof.
- DSP digital signal processing
- FPGA field programmable gate array
- reconfigurable processor other suitably programmed or programmable logic circuits, or any combination thereof.
- Memory 16 may include any suitable machine-readable storage medium.
- Memory 16 may include non-transitory computer readable storage medium such as, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
- Memory 16 may include a suitable combination of any type of computer memory that is located either internally or externally to controller 14.
- Memory 16 may include any storage means (e.g. devices) suitable for retrievably storing machine-readable instructions 18 executable by data processor 20.
- User input device 12 may be an electronic device having a graphical user interface (GUI) such as a desktop computer, laptop computer or a mobile device such as a tablet for example.
- GUI graphical user interface
- User input device 12 may be configured to receive user inputs from an operator.
- the user inputs may include computer- readable instructions related to a desired knitting pattern for a textile article.
- the computer-readable instructions may include manufacturing instructions for controlling the operation of a knitting machine to construct tubular garment 22.
- Tubular garment 22 may be formed of one or more fabric panels 24A- 24C (as shown in FIGS. 2A-2D) (hereinafter collectively referred to as “fabric panels 24”) composed yam.
- This yarn includes non-conductive yam, and as detailed below, may also include conductive yam.
- the non-conductive yam can include any textile material such as cotton, spandex, nylon, polyester, and/or various synthetic materials.
- the computer-readable instructions may indicate an arrangement of the non-conductive yam in fabric panels 24.
- conductive yam may be inlaid within one or more fabric panels 24 to provide conductive paths.
- the computer-readable instructions may indicate the material of the non-conductive yam and the material of the conductive yam used to manufacture tubular garment 22.
- the computer-readable instructions may indicate one or more locations where a conductive path electrically couples a conductive bus that is not inlaid within the one or more fabric panels. In some embodiments, the locations may be on a surface of one of the fabric panels.
- Controller 14 may be configured to process the computer-readable instructions to determine a set of operating parameters for one or more machines. Controller 14 may be further configured to generate a plurality of signals indicative of the determined operating parameters for the one or more machines. Controller 14 may be configured to transmit each signal of the plurality of signals to a respective machine of the one or more machines via the one or more communication terminals/ports. The one or more machines may include knitting machine 21 .
- system 10 may include a suitable combination for machines for forming electrical connections in tubular garment 22, e.g., between any combination of electrically conductive yams, a conductive bus, conductive wires, and electronic components of tubular garment 22.
- Such machines may include, for example, a soldering machine and/or a welding machine, embodiments of which are described, for example, in PCT Patent Application No. WO2021/119828, entitled “METHOD OF MANUFACTURING TEXTILES WITH INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL PATHS AND ELECTRONICS” (hereinafter referred to as the ‘828 patent application), the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
- system 10 may include one or more sewing machines, e.g., for sewing on trim or other features of tubular garment 22.
- system 10 may include machines for implementing wet processing of tubular garment 22, including washing and drying machines.
- Knitting machine 21 may be a computerized flat bed knitting machine.
- Knitting machine 21 may include first knitting bed 80A and second knitting bed 80B (hereinafter referred to as “knitting beds 80”, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C).
- Knitting machine 21 may include a cam system for independently controlling a position of one or more knitting needle in a knitting bed 80. Each knitting needle may be positioned to be in a non-working position or a working position. Needles in a non-working position may not move or knit when a carriage of knitting machine 21 is moved.
- knitting machine 21 is a flat bed knitting machine that has a v-shaped bed configuration and may be referred to as a v-bed knitting machine.
- knitting machine 21 could be a suitable machine manufactured by Stoll, Shima Siekie or any other suitable flat bed knitting machine that allow for the transfer and temporary holding of a fabric panel on needles not being used for knitting.
- Knitting machine 21 may be configured to receive one or more signals indicative of operating parameters for knitting machine 21 from controller 14.
- Knitting machine 21 may include a separate controller having one or more data processors and one or more computer-readable memories storing machine- readable instructions executable by the one or more data processors (not depicted).
- the one or more signals from controller 14 may be received by the controller of knitting machine 21 .
- knitting machine 21 may be configured to operate under the defined operating parameters set out in the one or more signals received. When operating under these operating parameters, knitting machine 21 may be configured to form tubular garment 22 by knitting non- conductive yarn and/or conductive yam in accordance with the desired knitting pattern received from user input device 12.
- controller 14 may be part of knitting machine 21 and the operation of knitting machine 21 may be directly controlled by such an integrated controller 14.
- FIGS. 2A-2D show a top view, front perspective view, side view and front view, respectively, of tubular garment 22.
- Tubular garment 22 may include first fabric panel 24A, second fabric panel 24B, and third fabric panel 24C.
- Each fabric panel 24 may include one or more non-conductive layers.
- first fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B may be integrally formed to define first tubular portion 26.
- First tubular portion 26 may define an opening between first fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B for receiving a limb (or other body portion) of a wearer of tubular garment 22. In use, a portion of the limb of the wearer may be covered by first fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B.
- tubular garment 22 may be a wearable sock having first tubular portion 26 sized to fit a foot of a wearer of tubular garment 22.
- first tubular portion 26 may have an open end and a closed end (not depicted). In use, the closed end may be positioned in the region of the wearer’s toes and the open end may be positioned between the wearer’s calf muscle and the wearer’s knee.
- tubular garment 22 is depicted as being a sock in FIGS. 2B and 2D, it should be understood that in alternate embodiments, tubular garment 28 may be a knee brace, elbow sleeve, multiclava, neck warmer, stocking, legging, or the like.
- Third fabric panel 24C may be joined to first fabric panel 24A on surface
- first fabric panel 24A As depicted, surface 30 of first fabric panel 24A faces away from second fabric panel 24B.
- First fabric panel 24A and third fabric panel 24C may define a second tubular portion 40 of tubular garment 22.
- Second tubular portion 40 may be a close-ended tube defining cavity 32 between first fabric panel 24A and third fabric panel 24C.
- cavity 32 may include narrow portion 32A and wide portion 32B.
- Third fabric panel 24C may be stitched to first fabric panel 24A along a perimeter of third fabric panel 24C.
- Tubular garment 22 may also have one or more additional stitches 31 between a lower portion of third fabric panel 24C that defines wide portion 32B of cavity 32 and first fabric panel 24A. Stitches 31 between the lower portion of third fabric panel 24C and first fabric panel 24A cause the lower portion of third fabric panel 24C to be closely pressed up against surface 30 of first fabric panel 24A.
- stitch 31 may extend horizontally across tubular garment 22. Such stitches 31 may also serve to divide wide portion of cavity 32 into a plurality of horizontal regions. As shown in FIG. 2B, additional stitches 31 may be used to join first fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B. As shown in FIG. 2C, additional stitches 31 may be used to join first fabric panel 24A and third fabric panel 24C.
- tubular garment 22 may include conductive bus 28 disposed within second tubular portion 40 to provide electrical communication with at least one conductive yam 34 integrated in tubular garment 22.
- Conductive bus 28 may include one or more conductive wires that are electrically coupled to power source 38 (e.g., a battery). Conductive bus 28 may be disposed within narrow portion 32A of cavity 32 and may be electrically coupled to conductive yam 34 at locations 36A and 36B. Conductive bus 28 may be easily accessible in cavity 32 by a person. Power source 28 may be external to tubular garment 22 or may be disposed within cavity 32. Power source 28 may be easily accessible by a person allowing quick replacement of power source 28 if required.
- Conductive yam 34 may be made of any conductive material including conductive metals such as stainless steel, silver, aluminium, copper, etc. As depicted in FIG. 2B, first conductive wire 28A of conductive bus 28 may connect conductive yarn 34 to a positive terminal of power source 38, and a second conductive wire 28B may connect conductive yarn 23 to a negative terminal of power source 38.
- conductive yam 34 may be disposed within cavity 32 between first fabric panel 24A and third fabric panel 24C. In these situations, conductive yam 34 may be disposed within wide portion 32B of cavity 32 and locations 36A and 36B may be at an interface between narrow portion 32A and wide portion 32B of cavity 32. In some embodiments, conductive yam 34 may be soldered or ultrasonically welded to first conductive wire 28A and second conductive wire 28B at locations 36A and 36B, respectively, in order to provide said electrical coupling. In some embodiments, the methods of forming an electrical connection between conductive yam 34 and conductive bus 28 are similar to the methods described in the ‘828 patent application.
- disposing at least part of conductive bus 28 and/or at least part of conductive yam 34 within cavity 32 inhibits contact of such parts with skin of a wearer of tubular garment 22. This may improve comfort and/or safety of wearer. This may also improve durability tubular garment 22, e.g., by reducing wear caused by contact of such parts with the wearer.
- conductive yam 34 may be inter-knit with non- conductive yams of tubular garment 22.
- FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of first fabric panel 24A having conductive yam 34 inlaid within first fabric panel 24A. As depicted in FIG. 3, at least a portion of conductive yam 34 may be disposed between non-conductive yams of first fabric panel 24. At least a portion of conductive yam 34 may be inlaid within first fabric panel 24A such that conductive yarn 34 is at sufficient distance from surface 42 of first fabric panel 24. Surface 42 of first fabric panel is opposite surface 30 and may be in contact with a limb of a wearer when tubular garment 22 is worn by the wearer.
- Conductive yam 34 being disposed at a sufficient distance from surface 42 may provide thermal and/or electrical protection for the wearer.
- a substantial portion of conductive yarn 34 may be disposed in a middle section of first fabric panel 24A.
- Conductive yam 34 may extend from the middle section to surface 30 of first fabric panel 24A to be electrically coupled to conductive bus 28 at locations 36A and 36B.
- the conductive yam 34 may be soldered or ultrasonically welded to conductive bus 28 in order to provide said electrical coupling.
- conductive yam 34 is inlaid within second fabric panel 24B. In some embodiments, at least a portion of conductive yam 34 is inlaid within third fabric portion 24C. In some embodiments, conductive yam 34 may be knitted on a surface of one of fabric panels 24A, 24B, 24C that faces an internal cavity of tubular garment 22 such as, for example, cavity 32 or a cavity formed between first fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B. In some embodiments, conductive yam 34 may be knitted between transfer points 90 to ensure accurate positioning.
- conductive yam 34 may be arranged in textile garment 22 to provide resistive heating.
- Conductive yam 34 may act as an electrically resistance element and a voltage may be supplied by power source 38 to conductive yam 24.
- the temperature of conductive yam 34 may be increased due to the thermal coefficient of resistance of conductive yam 24.
- FIG. 2B shows tubular garment 22 having one conductive yam 34
- tubular garment 22 may have a plurality of conductive yams defining a plurality of conductive paths.
- conductive yams 34 may be integrated in any one of the panels 24.
- the conductive bus 28 disposed in second tubular portion 40 may be configured to provide electrical communication with conductive yarns 34 integrated in any one of the panels 24.
- tubular garment 22 may include one or more electronic components.
- Tubular garment 22 may be used to detect and monitor a wide range of health issues, including: tracking of gait, pressure sensing, electromyography (EMG), heat stimulation and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS).
- EMG electromyography
- EMS electrical muscle stimulation
- FIGS. 4A-4C show different perspective views of an embodiment of tubular garment 22 having a plurality of electronic components 46, 48, 56, 58 integrated within first tubular portion 26 of tubular garment 22.
- Electronic components 46, 48, 56, 58 may be embedded within first fabric panel 24A and/or second fabric panel 24B and may be electrically coupled to conductive bus 28 via a plurality of conductive yams 34 (not depicted).
- Electronic components 46, 48, 56, 58 may also be in communication with controller 60 via conductive yarns 34.
- Controller 60 may be configured to receive signals from electronic components 46, 48, 56, 58. Controller 60 may be configured to control the operation of one or more of the electronic components 46, 48, 56, 58 based on the received signals.
- tubular garment 22 may have inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor 46 connected to body 49 of first tubular portion 26 that measures and reports a body's (e.g. limb of the wearer) specific force, angular rate, and/or sometimes the magnetic field surrounding the body, using a combination of accelerometers and gyroscopes, sometimes also magnetometers.
- Body 49 may refer to the portion of first tubular portion 26 consisting of non-conductive interlaced yarns.
- Example configurations of IMU sensor 46 can be used to detect linear acceleration of the wearer’s limb using one or more onboard accelerometers and rotational rate using one or more onboard gyroscopes.
- IMU sensors 46 can also include an onboard magnetometer used as a heading reference.
- Typical configurations of IMU sensors 46 contain one accelerometer, gyro, and magnetometer per axis for each of the three axes: x, y and z.
- Tubular garment 22 may have one or more stretch/strain sensors 48 positioned on/in body 49 and across intermediate region 50 of first tubular portion 26 in order to detect flexure of the wearer’s joint underlying intermediate region 50, as the wearer moves the limb during physical activity (e.g. walking, running, lifting, carrying, or otherwise engaging relative movement of the limb with respect to the rest of the wearer’s body).
- Top region 52 and bottom region 54 of first tubular portion 26 may be oriented at an angle to one another about intermediate region 50.
- stretch/strain sensors 48 may be applied to a surface of body 49 (e.g. consisting of nonconductive interlaced yams).
- stretch/strain sensors 48 may be composed of conductive fibers/yarns that are interlaced (e.g. knit or woven) with the non-conductive yarns of body 49.
- Tubular garment 22 may also have electromyography (EMG) sensors 56 on/in the body 49 used for evaluating and recording/detecting electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles (e.g. calf muscles, forearm muscles, bicep/tricep muscles, hand muscles, and general foot/leg muscles such as but not limited to dorsiflexor and plantarflexor muscles).
- EMG sensors 56 can be used to detect/record the electric potential generated by muscle cells when these cells are electrically or neurologically activated (e.g. by the wearer’s brain in order to effect movement of the limb).
- the EMG signals detected by EMG sensors 56 may be analyzed to detect medical abnormalities, activation level, or recruitment order, or to analyze the biomechanics of human or animal movement.
- EMG sensors 56 may be applied to a surface of body 49 (e.g. consisting of nonconductive interlaced fibres).
- EMG sensors 56 may be composed of conductive fibers/yarns that are interlaced (e.g. knit or woven) with the nonconductive yams of body 49.
- Tubular garment 22 may also have electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) actuators 58, also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or electromyostimulation, which is the elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses applied by the EMS actuators 58.
- EMS electrical muscle stimulation
- NMES neuromuscular electrical stimulation
- electromyostimulation which is the elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses applied by the EMS actuators 58.
- the impulses can be transmitted to the EMS actuators 58 and delivered through the electrodes (i.e. the EMS actuators 58) on the wearer’s skin near to the muscles being stimulated.
- the EMS actuators 58 may be pads that are positioned or otherwise biased into engagement with the skin.
- the non-conductive yarns of body 49 can be resilient (e.g. elastic) in nature and thus promote contact of the sensors 56, 58 with the skin of the wearer underlying body 49.
- EMS actuators 58 can mimic the action potential that comes from the central nervous system, causing the underlying muscles to contract and thus promote movement of the underlying skeletal structure of the limb.
- EMS actuators 58 can be applied to a surface of body 49 (e.g. consisting of nonconductive interlaced yarns).
- EMS actuators 58 may be composed of conductive yams that are interlaced (e.g. knit or woven) with the non-conductive yams of body 49 material. It is recognized that EMS actuators 58 and EMG sensors 59 can be the same, or different, electronic components connected to controller 60 via conductive yams 34.
- the electrically conductive fibers/yarn incorporated into tubular garment 22 as one or more electronic components 46, 48, 56, 58 can be made of any conductive material including conductive metals such as stainless steel, silver, aluminium, copper, etc.
- the conductive yam can be insulated. In another embodiment, the conductive yam can be uninsulated.
- tubular garment 22 Other examples of electronic components that may be incorporated into tubular garment 22 are disclosed in International Patent Publication No. WO2019134033A2, entitled “MULTI-FUNCTIONAL TUBULAR WORN GARMENT”, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 62 for manufacturing tubular garment 22 in accordance with an embodiment.
- Method 62 can be performed using system 10 described herein or using another system. It is understood that aspects of method 62 can be combined with aspects of other methods described herein.
- method 62 includes:
- FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a configuration of knitting machine 21 when knitting first fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B.
- first fabric panel 24A may be knitted using first subset of knitting needles 82A of first knitting bed 80A and second panel 24B may be knitted using first subset of knitting needles 82B of second knitting bed 80B.
- Second subset of knitting needles 84A of first knitting bed 80A and second subset of knitting needles 84B of second knitting bed 80B may be in a non-working position during the knitting of first fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B.
- first subset of knitting needles 82A of first knitting bed 80A and second subset of knitting needles 84A of first knitting bed 80A are alternatingly arranged in first knitting bed 80A.
- first subset of knitting needles 82B of second knitting bed 80B and second subset of knitting needles 84B of second knitting bed 80B are alternatingly arranged in second knitting bed 80B. So arranged, on each knitting bed, one subset of knitting needles may be referred to as odd needles and the other subset of knitting needles may be referred to as even needles.
- first fabric panel 24A may be joined to second fabric panel 24B.
- First fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B may be integrally formed to define first tubular portion 26.
- strands of yam may be passed between first knitting bed 80A and second knitting bed 80B during knitting to integrally form first fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B.
- knitting first fabric panel 24A may include inlaying at least one conductive yarn 34 within first fabric panel 24A such that the at least one conductive yarn 34 is disposed between non-conductive yams of first fabric panel 24A.
- FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of a configuration of knitting machine 21 after first fabric panel 24A is temporarily transferred from first knitting bed 80A to second knitting bed 80B and during knitting of third panel 24C.
- first fabric panel 24A may be held by second subset of needles 84B of second knitting bed 80B when transferred to second knitting bed 80B.
- Third fabric panel 24C may be knitted using second subset of needles 84A of first knitting bed 80A.
- First subset of knitting needles 82A of first knitting bed 80A and first subset of knitting needles 82B of second knitting bed 80B may be in a nonworking position when knitting third fabric panel 24C.
- third fabric panel 24C may be joined to first fabric panel 24A to define second tubular portion 40 during the knitting process.
- Joining third fabric panel 24C to first fabric panel 24A may include stitching third fabric panel 24C to first fabric panel 24A along a perimeter of third fabric panel 24C.
- joining third fabric panel 24C to first fabric panel 24A may include stitching a lower portion of third fabric panel 24C to first fabric panel 24A such that the lower portion of third fabric panel 24C is closely pressed up against surface 30 of first fabric panel 24A.
- FIG. 6C shows a perspective view of a configuration of knitting machine 21 after first fabric panel 24A is transferred back to first knitting bed 80A and after at least a portion of third fabric panel 24C has been knitted.
- first fabric panel 24A is held by first subset of knitting needles 82A of first knitting bed 80A after first fabric panel 24A is transferred back to first knitting bed 80A.
- Second subset of needles 84B of second knitting bed 80B holding third fabric panel 24A may be retracted and may be in a non-working position after first fabric panel 24A is transferred back to first knitting bed 80A.
- an extension may be knitted to first fabric panel 24A using first subset of knitting needles 82A of first knitting bed 80A and an extension may be knitted to second fabric panel 24B using first subset of knitting needles 82B of second knitting bed 80B.
- first fabric panel 24A may be transferred back and forth between first knitting bed 80A and second knitting 80B.
- first fabric panel 24A can be transferred back to first knitting bed 80A to place first fabric panel 24A into a knitting position that allow knitting of first fabric panel 24A to resume (on first knitting bed 80A) and knitting of second fabric panel 24B to resume (on second knitting bed 80B).
- third fabric panel 24C may be maintained in a holding position at second knitting bed 80B.
- first fabric panel 24A can be transferred again to the second knitting bed 80A and maintained in a holding position at second knitting bed 80B, thereby freeing first knitting bed 80A to resume knitting third fabric panel 24C while third fabric panel 24C is in this knitting position.
- fabric panels are shifted repeatedly between holding positions and knitting positions to build the courses for each of the fabric panels as required, e.g., in accordance with instructions 18.
- FIG. 6D shows a perspective view of a configuration of knitting machine 21 for joining first fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B. As depicted, each of first fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B extends from a first end 92 of knitting machine 21 to a second end 94 of knitting machine 21 , with portions each of these panels omitted for clarity of depiction.
- a pair of needles namely a needle 82A of first knitting bed 80A and a needle 82B of second knitting bed 80B, cross at a stitch transfer point 90.
- Each stitch transfer point 90 defines the location where a stich is passed from a needle 82A to a needle 82B, or vice versa, as first fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B are knit.
- one or more stitches are shared between first knitting bed 80A and second knitting bed 80B, with the one or more stitches transferred from one knitting bed to the other upon reaching a stitch transfer point.
- This manner of stitching causes first fabric panel 24A and second fabric panel 24B to be joined as they are knitted, thereby forming tubular portion 26.
- the width of each fabric panel (and hence the width of tubular portion 26) is defined by the number of needles of the corresponding knitting bed which are in a working position between the two stitch transfer points 90.
- knitting machine 21 described with reference to FIG. 6D may also be used in similar manner for joining first fabric panel 24A and third fabric panel 24C to form second tubular portion 40.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of tubular garment 22 in accordance with one embodiment before conductive bus 28 is disposed in second tubular portion 40.
- third fabric panel 24C may be stitched to first fabric panel 24A along a perimeter of third fabric panel 24C. However, in this depiction, a lower portion of third fabric panel 24C is not stitched to first fabric panel 24A such that the lower portion of third fabric panel 24C is closely pressed up against surface 30 of first fabric panel 24A.
- conductive bus 28 may be disposed within second tubular portion 40 to provide electric communication with conductive yarn 34. Establishing an electrical coupling between conductive bus 28 and conductive yarn 34 may involve soldering or welding at an interface between conductive bus 28 and conductive yam 34.
- conductive bus 28 may electrically coupled to conductive yam 34 at one or more locations 36 on surface 30 of first fabric panel 24A.
- conductive yam 34 may be disposed within cavity 32 and then electrically coupled to conductive bus 28 which is also disposed within cavity 32.
- a method is provided to form a heel in embodiments of tubular garment 22 having a heel.
- fabric is knit on first knitting bed 80A and second knitting bed 80B with unbalanced courses.
- fabric on the heel side of tubular garment 22 may be knit with a 3-1 , 4-1 , 5-1 , or other suitable course ratio.
- the use of such unbalanced course ratios produces greater fabric area (more courses) on the heel side of tubular garment 22, allowing the heel side to bend at the wearer heel or contour around it, while maintaining consistent fabric density with minimal stretching.
- layers of fabric on both sides of tubular garment 22 are passed at the same time between first knitting beds 80A and second knitting beds 80B.
- Embodiments of manufacturing systems employing this method may avoid friction that is created when holding fabric on one knitting bed while knitting on the opposite knitting bed, as associated with a conventional Goring method. Conveniently, such embodiments may produce multi-tubular garments with consistent quality of stitch formation.
- This method may be applied to various types of tubular construction, including construction of angular bends, curvatures or pocket type zones.
- a tubular shaped garment such as a sock, knee brace, elbow sleeve, stocking, legging, and the like are especially attractive form factors for a smart textile in particular for applications involving health and wellness and performance sports, where a sock can be used to detect and monitor a wide range of health issues, including: tracking of gait, pressure sensing, electromyography (EMG), heat stimulation and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) of the calf for improved circulation and bio-impedance feedback for sub-skin infection monitoring and other combined features.
- EMG electromyography
- EMS electrical muscle stimulation
- tubular garment 22 may be formed of other textile forms and/or techniques such as weaving, knitting (warp, weft, etc.) or the like.
- tubular garment 22 includes any one of a knitted textile, a woven textile, a cut and sewn textile, a knitted fabric, a non-knitted fabric, in any combination and/or permutation thereof.
- Example structures and interlacing techniques of textiles formed by knitting and weaving are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. US15/267,818, entitled “Conductive Knit Patch”, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
- textile refers to any material made or formed by manipulating natural or artificial fibres to interlace to create an organized network of fibres.
- textiles are formed using yarn, where yarn refers to a long continuous length of a plurality of fibres that have been interlocked (i.e. fitting into each other, as if twined together, or twisted together).
- yarn refers to a long continuous length of a plurality of fibres that have been interlocked (i.e. fitting into each other, as if twined together, or twisted together).
- the terms fibre and yam are used interchangeably.
- Fibres or yarns can be manipulated to form a textile according to any method that provides an interlaced organized network of fibres, including but not limited to weaving, knitting, sew and cut, crocheting, knotting and felting.
- conductive fibres can be manipulated to form networks of conductive fibres and non-conductive fibres can be manipulated to form networks of non-conductive fibers.
- These networks of fibres can comprise different sections of a textile by integrating the networks of fibres into a layer of the textile.
- the networks of conductive fibres can form one or more conductive pathways that electrically connect with actuators and sensors embedded in tubular garment 22, for conveying data and/or power to and/or from these components.
- multiple layers of textile can also be stacked upon each other to provide a multi-layer textile.
- interlace refers to fibres (either artificial or natural) crossing over and/or under one another in an organized fashion, typically alternately over and under one another, in a layer. When interlaced, adjacent fibres touch each other at intersection points (e.g. points where one fibre crosses over or under another fibre).
- first fibres extending in a first direction can be interlaced with second fibres extending laterally or transverse to the fibres extending in the first connection.
- the second fibres can extend laterally at 90° from the first fibres when interlaced with the first fibres.
- Interlaced fibres extending in a sheet can be referred to as a network of fibres.
- a textile can have various sections comprising networks of fibres with different structural properties.
- a textile can have a section comprising a network of conductive fibres and a section comprising a network of non- conductive fibres.
- Two or more sections comprising networks of fibres are said to be "integrated” together into a textile (or “integrally formed") when at least one fibre of one network is interlaced with at least one fibre of the other network such that the two networks form a layer of the textile.
- substantially inseparable refers to the notion that separation of the sections of the textile from each other results in disassembly or destruction of the textile itself.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA3200095A CA3200095A1 (en) | 2020-10-30 | 2021-10-06 | Tubular garment |
US18/034,229 US20240016234A1 (en) | 2020-10-30 | 2021-10-06 | Tubular garment |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US202063108132P | 2020-10-30 | 2020-10-30 | |
US63/108,132 | 2020-10-30 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2022087715A1 true WO2022087715A1 (en) | 2022-05-05 |
Family
ID=81381914
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/CA2021/051404 WO2022087715A1 (en) | 2020-10-30 | 2021-10-06 | Tubular garment |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20240016234A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3200095A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2022087715A1 (en) |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9032762B2 (en) * | 2010-12-08 | 2015-05-19 | Groupe Ctt Inc. | Fully integrated three-dimensional textile electrodes |
-
2021
- 2021-10-06 CA CA3200095A patent/CA3200095A1/en active Pending
- 2021-10-06 US US18/034,229 patent/US20240016234A1/en active Pending
- 2021-10-06 WO PCT/CA2021/051404 patent/WO2022087715A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9032762B2 (en) * | 2010-12-08 | 2015-05-19 | Groupe Ctt Inc. | Fully integrated three-dimensional textile electrodes |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA3200095A1 (en) | 2022-05-05 |
US20240016234A1 (en) | 2024-01-18 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CN105007769B (en) | Method for limiting the elasticity of selection area in knitted fabric | |
US9032762B2 (en) | Fully integrated three-dimensional textile electrodes | |
US20090018428A1 (en) | Knitted transducer devices | |
CN104937151A (en) | Vertical conductive textile traces and methods of knitting thereof | |
CN108463589B (en) | Conductive knitted patch | |
JP7123260B2 (en) | A system of insulated temperature sensors integrated into the base fabric layer | |
WO2019222845A1 (en) | Textile computing platform in sleeve form | |
US20200069250A1 (en) | Method of forming a three-dimensional conductive knit patch | |
US20230136447A1 (en) | Conductive Knitted Fabric Article and Method of Making the Same | |
US20240016234A1 (en) | Tubular garment | |
WO2022112744A1 (en) | Fabric article and method of making the same | |
GB2594254A (en) | Fabric article and method of making the same | |
JP7326444B2 (en) | System of insulated conductors embedded in the base fabric layer | |
EP4305228A1 (en) | Fabric article and method of making the same | |
GB2605443A (en) | Fabric article and method of making the same | |
GB2607266A (en) | Fabric article and method of making the same | |
WO2023015386A1 (en) | System and method for combined temperature sensing and heating | |
WO2022263828A1 (en) | Fabric article and method of making the same | |
GB2609958A (en) | Fabric article and method of making the same |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 21884199 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 3200095 Country of ref document: CA |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 18034229 Country of ref document: US |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |
Ref document number: 21884199 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |