GURCUM BANU HATICE (TR)
UNER IBRAHIM (TR)
ANKARA HACI BAYRAM VELI UNIV BILIMSEL ARASTIRMA PROJELERI BIRIMI (TR)
| WO2017197228A2 | 2017-11-16 |
| CN105140070A | 2015-12-09 | |||
| CN102478964A | 2012-05-30 |
| CLAIMS A flexible lightweight and low-cost textile-based analog signal-based electronic keypad system, comprising; - Nonwoven surface fabric (3) with gaps in matrix structure thereon, - Conductive metal reinforced woven fabric from weft, one under and one over the nonwoven fabric (1), - Metal reinforced weft yarns (2) as the number of rows of the gaps in the matrix structure of the nonwoven surface fabric (3) located the weft of the conductive metal reinforced woven fabric (1) from the upper weft and positioned to coincide over the gaps, - At least two resistances (5) to which the ends of the metal reinforced weft yarns (2) in the upper layer are individually connected and the ends of the metal reinforced weft yarns (2) in the lower layer are individually connected, - A resistance path (7), one end of which is connected to the resistance (5) and the other end of which is connected to the metal reinforced weft conductive yarns (2) in the upper layer or to the metal reinforced weft conductive yarns (2) in the lower layer, - A microcontroller (4) to which the metal reinforced weft yarns (2) in the upper layer and in the lower layer the idle ends of the metal reinforced weft conductive yarns (2) which are not connected to the resistance path are connected, - A microcontroller path (8), one end of which is connected to the upper conductive yarn (2) or the lower conductive yam (2) and the other end of which is connected to the microcontroller (4), - A pull up resistance I and II (6) located on the microcontroller path (8), one end of which is connected to the lower conductive yarn (2) and the other end of which is connected to the microcontroller (4), - At least two generators (9), which are connected to the idle ends of the pull up resistance I and II (6) and provide electrical current. 7 |
Technical Field
The invention relates to a textile-based analog signal-based electronic keypad system. The keypad, which allows the relevant units to be guided by detecting the commands entered by the user, has a light, flexible structure. One of the commands can be given as many as the number of buttons by touching the fabric thanks to the invention. In addition, the number of pins used in the processor and the number of paths to the processor are reduced since the system gives a single input to the microcontroller.
Background
Smart textiles have a structure consisting of sensors, actuators, and microprocessors placed inside the fabric. Intelligent textiles generally consist of a control unit and sensors. Wearable electronics, which consist of smart textiles, are very comfortable to use due to the flexible, lightweight, and durable structures of textile materials. The wearable motherboard, presented by Georgia Tech in 1998, is an example of the first electronic textiles.
The development of flexible, lightweight, touch sensors that are compatible with different areas of use, one of the recent studies, requires a highly complex, expensive, and diverse process. Traditional touch sensors are generally inflexible and costly.
Various studies were carried out on textile-based keypad systems in the art.
The composite structure contains 5 layers in the patent document CN102478964, which is in the state of the art. In the middle of these layers is an insulating surface (30) with gaps in the matrix structure separating 2 layers that constitute the functionality of the invention. An upper (20) and a lower (40) layer of this insulating hollow surface is a functional conductive yarn treated fabric structure. The conductive yarns are sewn in a U-shaped manner and positioned 90 degrees apart on these structures. Here, the two conductive yarns come into contact with each other and the resistance difference resulting from this process is detected by the processor as a result of the pressure on the keys. In other words, it is based on the difference between the resistance values. The resistance of conductive yarns may show inconsistencies due to their stretching and bending behavior in this art.
The Chinese patent document CN105140070, which is in the state of the art, uses the doublelayer and self-linked weaving technique. The connection yarn is canceled in the functional areas and an opening (hose) is formed between the two layers while the non-functional areas from the weaving structure are woven in an interconnected manner with the connection yarn. The contact of the two layers with each other was prevented by placing a spongy piece in this opening. Self-conducting carbon nanotube-treated yarn is used in this document. The system works on piezoresistive effect. In other words, conductive yarns will create a resistance difference with the piezo effect if the button is pressed.
A total number of AT 4- Af pins are used in the microcontroller for a structure with I columns and rows in the patent document with the application number 2020/08884, which is in the present art. There are also 2 - M 4- 1 conductive paths along with grounding. Here, the pin is not a digital I/O pin. Analog voltage is read.
There is a need to realize a new keypad system in which it is ensured to find which key is pressed by reading the voltage value analogously, to save space by using a single pin, and to make the user move more easily when the keypad systems in the art are examined.
Objects of the Invention
The object of the present invention is to realize a new keypad system in which the user is enabled to move more easily thanks to the fact that the keypad of the invention is integrated into the fabric.
Another object of the invention is to realize a new keypad system in which the confusion in the paths of the conductive yarns in the fabric is reduced since one output from the keypad is sufficient.
Another object of the invention is to realize a new keypad system in which peripherals, sensors and actuators that are integrated into the dress, can receive commands or can work with wireless communication are connected to the dress thanks to the invention consisting of a three-layer fabric structure.
Another object of the invention is to realize a new keypad system in which a single microcontroller input is sufficient regardless of the number of keys to be used.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The electronic keypad system for achieving the objects of the present invention is shown in the accompanying figures.
These figures are as follows;
Figure 1: The subject of the invention is the schematic drawing of the electronic and textilebased building elements, layout plan and connection points on the keypad system.
Figure 2: It is a separate drawing of the textile-based building elements on the keypad system of the invention.
Figure 3: The subject of the invention is the cross-sectional image of the keypad system.
Each element in the drawings of the invention is given a number and is explained below in items.
1. Weft conductive metal reinforced woven fabric
2. Metal-reinforced weft yarns
3. Non-woven fabric structure
4. Microcontroller
5. Resistance
6. Pull up resistance I and II
7. Voltage supply The innovation subject to the invention is explained with examples that do not have any limiting effect only for a better understanding of the subject in this detailed description. The invention comprises;
- Hollow nonwoven surface fabric (3) with gaps in matrix structure thereon,
- Metal reinforced woven fabric from weft, one under and one over the hollow nonwoven fabric (1),
- Metal-containing conductive weft yarns (2) positioned so that the gaps of the hollow nonwoven fabric (3) in the matrix structure correspond to the number of rows of the gaps in the weft of the upper weft metal reinforced 1*1 woven fabric (1) and the lower weft metal reinforced 1*1 woven fabric (1),
- At least two resistances (5) to which the ends of the metal-containing yarns (2) in the upper and lower layer are individually connected,
- A resistance path (7), one end of which is connected to the resistance (5) and the other end is connected to the metal reinforced conductive yarns (2) in the upper layer or to the metal reinforced conductive yarns (2) in the lower layer,
- A microcontroller (4) to which the metal reinforced conductive yarns (2) in the upper layer and the idle ends of the metal reinforced conductive yarns (2) in the lower layer are connected, which are not connected to the resistance path,
A microcontroller path (8), one end of which is connected to the metal-reinforced conductive yarn (2) in the upper layer or the metal -reinforced conductive yarn (2) in the lower layer and the other end is connected to the microcontroller (4),
- A pull up resistance I and II (6) on the microcontroller path (8), one end of which is connected to the metal reinforced conductive yarn (2) in the lower layer and the other end is connected to the microcontroller (4),
- At least two generators (9), which are connected to the idle ends of the pull up resistance I and II (6) and provide electrical current
The invention relates to a matrix structured keypad formed by placing each row and column in the lowest and highest layers of the weft metal reinforced woven fabric structure overlapping only at one point, and is in a form that can perform different functions as many as the number of rows x columns thanks to the keys on it. The keys must be pressed by the user in order for the invention to be active. The structural elements, layout and connection points of the invention are shown in Figure 1. Accordingly, conductive weft paths are the paths formed by more than one conductive thread parallel to each other. The conductive yarns used are short-circuited when they come into contact with another conductive surface.
The fabric, which has a conductive yarn in the weft direction, is used as a conductive yarn in the weft with a width of 10 mm and an insulating yarn with a width of 10 mm, respectively, in order to form conductive lines in the weft direction during weaving. The electrical conduction is also interrupted by leaving a gap between the conductive rows thanks to the insulating yarns.
Conductive thread paths are the paths where more than one conductive thread parallel to each other passes through the fabric. The threads short-circuit and change the current path when the intersection point of the rows and columns is pressed, so that the voltage value seen by the microcontroller changes.
The layer, which acts as a dielectric between the conductive layers and prevents physical contact, also ensures the contact of the conductive threads in the upper and lower layers, thanks to the spaces in between. When the application of force is stopped, it returns to its original state and opens between the layers. So there is no contact. This layer should be flexible enough to allow the fabrics to touch each other.
The microcontroller unit where the analog signal is read can be operated with a single input and the analog signal can be read to find out which key is pressed according to the different signal levels. The values of the resistors connected to the upper fabric layer may not be the same. The value of the voltage to the processor varies according to the values of the resistors.
Which button is pressed is determined according to the analog voltage value since the output voltage varies depending on the resistance values. The values of the resistors connected to the lower fabric layer may not be the same. The output voltage will vary according to the values of these resistors. The resistance values can be changed as the size of the matrix structure changes to increase the difference between the voltage values since the output voltage will vary according to the value of all resistors. These yarns are found at different angles in the lower and upper layers. The conductive rows in the upper layer of the invention are connected to the ground and the conductive columns in the lower layer are connected to the microprocessor. The voltage of the supply (7) is applied to the conductive columns (1) in the lower layer. Figure 2 shows the textile materials used from the upper layer of the invention to the lower layer from the left to the right.
Interactive textiles developed within the scope of electronic textiles offer advantages in terms of providing touch control of elements associated with wireless or wired connection. Such textiles, for example, make it possible for the user to maintain device control. These applications are useful in areas that require flexibility and lightness such as clothes, bags, etc. thanks to the flexibility of textiles.