# US 10,119,208 B2 · Method for making electrically conductive textiles and textile sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,119,208 B2 - Document ID: US10119208B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/912,351 - Filed: 2014-08-14 - Published: 2016-06-30 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-16 - Assignees: Footfalls and Heartbeats Limited - Applicants: Footfalls and Heartbeats Limited - Inventors: Simon Adair McMaster - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119208B2 ## CPC - D04B 1/14: Other fabrics or articles characterised primarily by the use of particular thread materials - D04B 1/24: wearing apparel - D10B 2403/02431: with electronic components, e.g. sensors or switches - G01N 27/223: {for determining moisture content, e.g. humidity (rain detectors on vehicle windows B60S1/0825)} - D04B: KNITTING - D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A method for making a textile sensor and a textile sensor can include selecting a combination of variables from the group consisting of yarn variables, stitch variables, and textile variables; and knitting an electrically conductive yarn in the textile sensor in accordance with the selected combination of variables, wherein the combination of variables is selected so as to provide a controlled amount of contact resistance in the textile sensor. The method and textile can further include a capacitive textile-sensor having at least two integrally knit capacitor plate elements and having a configuration adapted for a sensing activity. Resistance in the textile sensor can automatically calibrate to a stable baseline level after the textile sensor is applied to a body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A textile having at least one fully integrated knitted capacitive sensor, the textile comprising: at least one capacitive sensor comprising an electrically conductive yarn knitted in the textile, wherein the capacitive sensor is configured for measurement of at least one sensing activity selected from the group consisting of: linear displacement; at least one of tensile and compressive force; humidity; physiological activity; and geological activity; wherein the capacitive sensor comprises at least two integrally knitted capacitor plate elements comprising the electrically conductive yarn and a stitch pattern, the stitch pattern comprising jersey stitches and stitches selected from one or more of the group consisting of: miss stitches and tuck stitches; wherein the stitch pattern of the capacitor plate elements defines a contact area resulting from a number of contact points between stitches; and wherein changes in conductivity in the capacitive sensor due to changes in the contact area between stitches are measurable and permit monitoring of the sensing activity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The textile sensor of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive yarn comprises a filament yarn, and wherein the contact area is further defined by the filament yarn. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The textile sensor of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive yarn comprises a staple fiber yarn, and wherein the contact area is further defined by the staple fiber yarn. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The textile sensor of claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor further comprises a selected size, shape, and position of the capacitor plate elements. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The textile of claim 1, wherein the stitch pattern comprises 50% jersey stitches and the remainder of stitches selected from one or more of the group consisting of: miss stitches and tuck stitches. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The textile of claim 1, wherein a percentage of miss stitches in the stitch pattern in the capacitive sensor is at least 5% and at most 45%. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The textile of claim 1, wherein a percentage of tuck stitches in the stitch pattern in the capacitive sensor is at least 5% and at most 45%. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The textile of claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor further comprises a selected size, shape, and position and of a diaelectric material knitted within the capacitive sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The textile of claim 1, wherein the textile further comprises an electrical resistivity, a fabric thickness, a fabric weight, an optical porosity, and a percentage permanent stretch, which further defines the contact area resulting from each contact point. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The textile of claim 1, wherein the sensing activity comprises a measurement sensitivity, and wherein the stitch pattern is selected such that the number of contact points between the stitches result in contact area that is correlated with the measurement sensitivity. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The textile of claim 1, wherein the sensing activity comprises sensing physiological activity, and wherein sensing physiological activity comprises an activity selected from a group consisting of the following: monitoring respiratory activity; diagnosing sleep disorders; cardiovascular monitoring; prosthetic touch applications; diabetic ulcer diagnosis; and monitoring fetal movement. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A geotextile material comprising the textile of claim 1, wherein the sensing activity comprises sensing geological activity. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A mask attachment band, comprising the textile of claim 1, wherein the sensing activity comprises measuring tensile force. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A material comprising the textile of claim 1, wherein the sensing activity comprises sensing structural movement. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A garment comprising the textile of claim 1, wherein the sensing activity comprises measuring perspiration.