Implementing textile pressure sensor into car seats

Master thesis (2020)

Authors

Y. Ma Industrial Design Engineering

Contributors

K.M.B. Jansen Emerging Materials - IDE (supervisor 1)
A. Buso Emerging Materials - IDE (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Industrial Design Engineering
Copyright: © 2020 Yixuan Ma
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Published Date

27-08-2020

Language

English

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Faculty

Industrial Design Engineering

Abstract

The smart textile technology shows its strength in seamlessly merges the electrodes within the soft fabric. The textile pressure sensor has been used in many types of research for sensing pressure distribution. However, the existing sensors are not made for daily use. Sensors like the XSENSOR have a high price and contains plastic films, making it not breathable and not friendly for the skin. A sensor made entirely out of fabric is desirable. According to research (Techtextil, 2015), the car has around 30 kilograms of textiles. This project aims to show a new design using smart textile technology - the fabric pressure sensor. This project considers two aspects: 1. Technical aspect- Learn the sensing principle and sensor structure from literature. Make the textile sensor work. If possible, make the sensor work under the automotive context. 2. Societal aspect- Identify user needs. Determine where and how to use this new technology. Design around the sensor and make the data output fulfill the demands of the user. The design approach is the co-evolution model. Five design phases are included based on the basic design cycle- Analysis, preliminary tests, synthesis, embodiment, and evaluation. In general, this project sets the start of the implementation of the textile pressure sensor in the car. The project starts with technology in researches and reached the level of a working prototype validated in the laboratory.