How to Make Reliable, Washable, and Wearable Textronic Devices.
In this paper, the washability of wearable textronic (textile-electronic) devices has been studied. Two different approaches aiming at designing, producing, and testing robust washable and reliable smart textile systems are presented. The common point of the two approaches is the use of flexible conductive PCB in order to interface the miniaturized rigid (traditional) electronic devices to conductive threads and tracks within the textile flexible fabric and to connect them to antenna, textile electrodes, sensors, actuators, etc. The first approach consists in the use of TPU films (thermoplastic polyurethane) that are deposited by the press under controlled temperature and pressure parameters in order to protect the conductive thread and electrical contacts. The washability of conductive threads and contact resistances between flexible PCB and conductive threads are tested. The second approach is focused on the protection of the whole system-composed of a rigid electronic device, flexible PCB, and textile substrate-by a barrier made of latex. Three types of prototypes were realized and washed. Their reliabilities are studied.
Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Industries Textiles, 2 allée Louise et Victor Champier, 59056 Roubaix CEDEX 1, France. xuyuan.tao@ensait.fr.
Xuyuan
X
Tao
Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Industries Textiles, 2 allée Louise et Victor Champier, 59056 Roubaix CEDEX 1, France. vladan.koncar@ensait.fr.
Vladan
V
Koncar
Taiwan Textile Research Institute, No. 6, Chengtian Rd., Tucheng Dist., New Taipei City 23674, Taiwan. thhuang.1280@ttri.org.tw.
Tzu-Hao
TH
Huang
Taiwan Textile Research Institute, No. 6, Chengtian Rd., Tucheng Dist., New Taipei City 23674, Taiwan. clShen.0865@ttri.org.tw.
Chien-Lung
CL
Shen
Taiwan Textile Research Institute, No. 6, Chengtian Rd., Tucheng Dist., New Taipei City 23674, Taiwan. ycko.1267@ttri.org.tw.
Ya-Chi
YC
Ko
Taiwan Textile Research Institute, No. 6, Chengtian Rd., Tucheng Dist., New Taipei City 23674, Taiwan. gtjou.0219@ttri.org.tw.
Gwo-Tsuen
GT
Jou
ECG device; conductive yarn; wash test; wearable textronic device