• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.364-371
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• 2015

In this study, we developed a feasible structure of a textile-based inductive sensor using a machine embroidery method, and applied it to a non-contact type vital sign sensing device based on the principle of magnetic-induced conductivity. The mechanical heart activity signals acquired through the inductive sensor embroidered with conductive textile on fabric were compared with the Lead II ECG signals and with respiration signals, which were simultaneously measured in every case with five subjects. The analysis result showed that the locations of the R-peak in the ECG signal were highly associated with sharp peaks in the signals obtained through the textile-based inductive sensor (r=0.9681). Based on the results, we determined the feasibility of the developed textile-based inductive sensor as a measurement device for the heart rate and respiration characteristics.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.654-670
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• 2020

Workers at construction sites are easily exposed to many dangers and accidents involving falls, tripping, and missteps on stairs. However, researches on construction site monitoring system to prevent work-related injuries are still insufficient. The purpose of this study was to develop a wearable textile pressure insole sensor and examine its effectiveness in managing the real-time safety of construction workers. The sensor was designed based on the principles of parallel capacitance measurement using conductive textile and the monitoring system was developed by C# language. Three separate experiments were carried out for performance evaluation of the proposed sensor: (1) varying the distance between two capacitance plates to examine changes in capacitance charges, (2) repeatedly applying 1 N of pressure for 5,000 times to evaluate consistency, and (3) gradually increasing force by 1 N (from 1 N to 46 N) to test the linearity of the sensor value. Five subjects participated in our pilot test, which examined whether ascending and descending the stairs can be distinguished by our sensor and by weka assessment tool using k-NN algorithm. The 10-fold cross-validation method was used for analysis and the results of accuracy in identifying stair ascending and descending were 87.2% and 90.9%, respectively. By applying our sensor, the type of activity, weight-shifting patterns for balance control, and plantar pressure distribution for postural changes of the construction workers can be detected. The results of this study can be the basis for future sensor-based monitoring device development studies and fall prediction researches for construction workers.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.107-114
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• 2012

We have developed a textile capacitive pressure sensor for smart gait analysis. The proposed system can convert sensor signal into step counts and pressure levels by different posture. To evaluate the performance of insole type textile capacitive sensor, we measured capacitance change by increment of weights from 10 kg to 100 kg with 10 kg increment using M1 class rectangular weights (four 20 kg weights and two 10 kg weights) which have ${\pm}10%$ tolerance. The result showed non-linearity characteristic of a general capacitive pressure sensor. The test was performed according to a test protocol for four different postures (sitting, standing, standing on a left leg and standing on a right leg) and different walking speeds (1 km/h and 4 km/h). Five healthy male subjects were participated in each test. As we expected, the pressure level was changed by pressure distribution according to posture. Also, developed textile pressure sensor showed higher recognition rate (average 98.06 %) than commercial pedometer at all walking speed. Therefore, the proposed step counts and posture monitoring system using conductive textile capacitive pressure sensor proved to be a reliable and useful tool for monitoring gait parameters.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.140-157
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to develop three functions for smartphones and PCs using a textile touch sensor in an everyday sports jacket and to present their usefulness; to this end, we have developed a mutual capacitive textile touch sensor and corresponding structure, and we have implemented three functions into a textile touch sensor jacket, of which we also conducted a usability evaluation. The jacket has a sensor on the wrist of the left sleeve and a device on the left arm. The sensor system can be divided into three main categories: a sensor acting as a switch, a circuit connecting the sensor and the device, and the device that acts as power control and system on/off. The functions are implemented in the texture touch sensor jacket in three modes: cell phone mode, music mode, and PPT presentation mode. We conducted an evaluation of each function in each mode, which indicated that all functions performed well without errors and that the switch had excellent operation for the number and intensity of touch. In terms of usability in a humid environment, the performance of touch functions was found to be equally implemented. In the temperature environment, neither high nor low temperatures caused issues with the functions. A wearing satisfaction assessment evaluated psychological satisfaction, clothing convenience, device convenience, device usability, and device effectiveness. This research jacket is thought to be desirable for the relatively bendable, flexible, and intimate sensor used on the clothing, and the circuit made of conductive fabric tape.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.397-402
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• 2018

Proper seat design is critical to the safety, comfort, and ergonomics of automotive driver's seats. To ensure effective seat design, quantitative methods should be used to evaluate the characteristics of automotive seats. This paper presents a system that is capable of simultaneously monitoring body pressure distribution and surface deformation in a textile material. In this study, a textile-based capacitive sensor was used to detect the body pressure distribution in an automotive seat. In addition, a strain gauge sensor was used to detect the degree of curvature deformation due to high-pressure points. The textile-based capacitive sensor was fabricated from the conductive fabric and a polyurethane insulator with a high signal-to-noise ratio. The strain gauge sensor was attached on the guiding film to maximize the effect of its deformation due to bending. Ten pressure sensors were placed symmetrically in the hip area and six strain gauge sensors were distributed on both sides of the seat cushion. A readout circuit monitored the absolute and relative values from the sensors in realtime, and the results were displayed as a color map. Moreover, we verified the proposed system for quantifying the body pressure and fabric deformation by studying 18 participants who performed three predefined postures. The proposed system showed desirable results and is expected to improve seat safety and comfort when applied to the design of various seat types. Moreover, the proposed system will provide analytical criteria in the design and durability testing of automotive seats.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.733-745
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• 2016

This paper provides a review of wearable textile strain sensors that can measure the deformation of the body surface according to the movements of the wearer. In previous studies, the requirements of textile strain sensors, materials and fabrication methods, as well as the principle of the strain sensing according to sensor structures were understood; furthermore, the factors that affect the sensing performance were critically reviewed and application studies were examined. Textile strain sensors should be able to show piezoresistive effects with consistent resistance-extension in response to the extensional deformations that are repeated when they are worn. Textile strain sensors with piezoresistivity are typically made using conductive yarn knit structures or carbon-based fillers or conducting polymer filler composite materials. For the accuracy and reliability of textile strain sensors, fabrication technologies that would minimize deformation hysteresis should be developed and processes to complement and analyze sensing results based on accurate understanding of the sensors' resistance-strain behavior are necessary. Since light-weighted, flexible, and highly elastic textile strain sensors can be worn by users without any inconvenience so that to enable the users to continuously collect data related to body movements, textile strain sensors are expected to become the core of human interface technologies with a wide range of applications in diverse areas.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.219-226
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• 2011

Recently, study of functional clothing for vital sensing is focused on improving conductivity and decreasing resistance, in order to enhance the electrocardiogram(ECG) sensing accuracy and obtained stable environmental durability on operation condition. In this study, four ECG fabrics that having different componnt yarns and weaving structures were produced to analyze their environmental durabilities and electric properties under general operation conditions including different physical and chemical stimulation. For outstanding electric properties and physical properties, the optimized ECG sensing fabric should consist of a fabric of 2 up 3 down twill structure containing 210de silver-coated conductive yarns and polyester yarn in warp and weft directions respectively. The selected fabric has $0.11{\Omega}$ which is relative lower resistance than otherwisely produced fabrics under ECG measurement condition. And it has 7% stable resistance changes under 25% strain and repeated strain.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.233-239
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• 2020

We proposed a simple process of fabricating electroconductive textiles by coating conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS (Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate)) on biocompatible PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) nanofiber web for application to smart healthcare. Electroconductive textiles were obtained by a drop-coating process using different amounts of PEDOT:PSS solutions., DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) was then used as an additive in the post-treatment process to improve conductivity. The surface morphology of the specimens was observed by FE-SEM. The chemical structures of the specimens were characterized using FTIR. The electrical properties (linear and sheet resistance) of the specimens were measured. The effect of the bending angles on the electrical properties was also investigated to confirm their applicability as wearable smart textiles. FE-SEM and FTIR analysis confirmed that the deposition of PEDOT:PSS on the PLA nanofiber web surface was successful. The conductivity of the PEDOT:PSS/PLA nanofiber web was enhanced up to 1.5 ml with an increasing amount of PEDOT:PSS solutions, but there was no significant difference at 2.0 ml. The optimum condition of PEDOT:PSS deposition was established to 1.5 ml. Even when the specimen coated with 1.5 ml was bent every 30°, the change in the electrical resistance values was still low within 3.7 Ω. It confirmed that stable electrical performance was maintained and proved the applicability as a flexible textile sensor.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.493-503
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• 2018

Recently, as living standards have improved, many people are becoming more interested in health, and self-training is increasing through exercise to prevent and manage pre-illness. In general, an imbalance of muscles causes asymmetry of posture, which can cause various diseases by accompanying an adjustment force, circulation action, displacement of internal organs, etc.. In this study, the development of fitness software that can be self - training among smart wears has attracted considerable attention in recent years. In this study, a technology was proposed for the commercialization of self - trainer fitness wear by a simulation through Android - based applications. Self - trainer fitness software was developed by combining a conductive polymer, fashion design, sewing, and electric and electronic technology to monitor the unbalance of the muscles during exercise and make smart wear that can calibrate the asymmetry by oneself. In particular, a polymer sensor was fabricated by deriving the optimal MWCNT concentration, and the electrode signal was collected by attaching the electrode to the optimal position, where the electrode signal line using the conductive fiber was designed and attached to collect the signal. A signal module that converts the bio-signals collected through electrical signal conversion and transmits them using Bluetooth communication was designed and manufactured. Self-trainer fitness software that can be commercialized was developed by combining noise cancellation with Android-based self-training application using a software algorithm method.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.66 no.7
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• pp.1141-1148
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• 2017

Generally, a thermistor made by sintering a metal oxide is widely used to measure the ambient temperature. This thermistor is widely used not only for industrial use but also for medical use because of its excellent sensitivity, durability, temperature change characteristics and low cost. In particular, the normal body temperature is 36.9 degrees relative to the armpit temperature, and it is most closely related to the circulating blood flow. Previous studies have shown that body temperature changes during biomechanical changes and body temperature changes by anomalous signs or illnesses. Therefore, in this study, we propose a Lock-In-Amp design to detect minute temperature changes of clothing and thermistor wired by a preacher as a method to regularly measure body temperature in daily life. Especially, it is designed to measure the minute resistance change of the thermistor according to body temperature change even in a low-cost microprocessor environment by using a micro-processor-based Lock-In-Amp, and a jacquard and the thermistor is arranged so as to be close to the side, so that the reference body temperature can be easily measured. The temperature was measured and stored in real time using short-range wireless communication for non - restraint temperature monitoring. A baby vest was made to verify its performance through temperature experiments for infants. The measurement of infant body temperature through the existing skin sensor or thermometer has limitations in monitoring infant body temperature for a long time without restriction. However, it can be overcome by using the embroidery fabric based micro temperature monitoring wireless monitoring device proposed in this study.