Flexible force sensors for e-textiles

17th World Textile Conference AUTEX 2017 - Shaping the Future of Textiles

Carvalho, H.^1 ; Yao, Y.^2 ; Gonçalves, L.M.^3

University of Minho, School of Engineering, Dep. Textile Engineering, Campus de Azurém, Guimarães

4800-058, Portugal^1

University of Minho, School of Engineering, Dep. Industrial Electronics, Campus de Azurém, Guimarães

4800-058, Portugal^2

University of Minho, CMEMS-UMinho, Campus de Azurém, Guimarães

4800-058, Portugal^3

关键词: Conductive carbon;    Cyclic compression;    Electrode material;    Flexible polymers;    Piezo-resistive sensors;    Sensor performance;    Static and dynamic performance;    Textile products;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/254/7/072007/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1757-899X/254/7/072007

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

This paper presents the development of inexpensive, lightweight, flexible polymer-based piezoresistive sensors appropriate for integration in e-textiles. The transducing element used is a volume-conductive carbon impregnated black polypropylene/polyethylene film with commercial names Velostat (from 3M) or Linqstat (from Caplinq). The objective is to investigate on the influence of different sensor constructions, varying film thicknesses, electrode materials and encapsulations on sensor performance. Furthermore, ways of integrating the sensors into textile products, as well as potential applications are also studied. In this paper, the behaviour of the sensors under different cyclic compression loads, applied at different speeds, is presented. Sensors using three different electrode materials are tested. The results show significant influence of sensor construction and electrode material on the static and dynamic performance of the devices.