WO2018173749A1 - Conductive composite sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

A conductive composite sheet 10 to be attached to clothing is provided with: a first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 having elasticity; and a conductive yarn 5 disposed with a desired pattern on one surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1. The conductive yarn 5 is constituted by a metal plated yarn in which a core yarn is covered with a metal component. A second thermoplastic resin sheet 2 elastically seamed with the desired pattern using the conductive yarn 5 is combined and integrated with the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1. A conductive composite sheet having substantial elasticity and capable of ensuring satisfactory wear comfort when attached to clothing is provided.

Description

Conductive composite sheet

The present invention relates to a conductive composite sheet to be worn on a wearable device garment that measures biological information such as body temperature, heart rate, electrocardiogram, and electromyogram.

In recent years, wearable devices that measure various biological information by wearing them on clothes have attracted attention. Such a wearable device is attached to a garment, and a wiring member that electrically connects the electrode disposed at the measurement point and the wearable device is incorporated in the garment.

Patent Document 1 discloses a conductive fabric that retains high conductivity even when stretched. The conductive fabric is a conductive fabric in which wiring is provided on the fabric, and the wiring is provided with a first insulating layer formed on the fabric, a conductive layer provided on the first insulating layer, and a conductive layer. The second insulating layer provided on the layer is included, and the resistance change magnification when extending 100% in the longitudinal direction of the wiring is configured to be 100 times or less when extending 0%.

The conductive layer is configured by applying or printing a conductive paste containing a conductive filler and a resin on the first insulating layer.

WO2016 / 114339 WO2016 / 114298 Publication

However, it is necessary for the conductive fabric described in Patent Document 1 to appropriately manage the amount of conductive filler added so that desired stretchability is ensured and cracks do not occur when stretched. It is necessary to appropriately manage the film thickness at the time of printing so as not to cause deterioration, and complicated management of the manufacturing process is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a conductive composite sheet that has sufficient stretchability and can secure a good touch when attached to a fabric in view of the above-described problems.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first characteristic configuration of the conductive composite sheet according to the present invention is the conductive composite sheet to be attached to the fabric as described in claim 1, wherein the conductive composite sheet has stretch properties. 1 thermoplastic resin sheet and conductive yarn arranged in a desired pattern on one surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet.

A predetermined wiring pattern is formed by conductive yarn disposed on one surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet. By using the conductive yarn, a desired curved shape or bent shape can be realized with a high degree of freedom. Even if it is bent, the conductive yarn does not easily break, and a good and highly reliable conductive composite sheet that does not cause deterioration of the touch even when attached to a fabric is obtained.

In the second characteristic configuration, as described in claim 2, in addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, the conductive yarn is composed of a metal-coated yarn in which a metal component is attached to a core yarn, The second thermoplastic resin sheet stretched and sewn in the desired pattern using a conductive thread is combined and integrated with the first thermoplastic resin sheet.

By stretching and stretching the second thermoplastic resin sheet using the metal-coated yarn as the conductive yarn and combining the second thermoplastic resin sheet with the first thermoplastic resin sheet, the conductive yarn itself stretches and contracts. Even if it does not have the property, since the wiring pattern is drawn by the stretchable sewing, the stretchability appears integrally with the first and second thermoplastic resin sheets. Since it is only necessary to stretch and sew in a predetermined pattern using a sewing machine, even if it is a multi-product and small-volume production, it can respond flexibly without increasing the equipment cost.

In the third characteristic configuration, as described in the third aspect, in addition to the second characteristic configuration described above, any of overlock stitching, flat stitching, chain stitching or zigzag stitching is adopted as the stretchable sewing. There is in point.

Since any of the overlock stitches, flat stitches, chain stitches or zigzag stitches can be employed as the stretch stitches, the range of available sewing machines can be expanded and the equipment cost can be reduced.

In the fourth feature configuration, as described in claim 4, in addition to the first feature configuration described above, the conductive yarn is formed of a covering yarn in which a metal-coated yarn is wound around a stretchable core yarn. A non-stretchable thread is stretched or stretched in the desired pattern by adding a non-stretchable thread to the conductive thread, or using a non-stretchable thread for at least one of the upper thread and the lower thread while using the conductive thread. In addition, the second thermoplastic resin sheet is combined and integrated with the first thermoplastic resin sheet.

Using a covering yarn in which a metal-coated yarn is wound around a stretchable core yarn as a conductive yarn, a wiring pattern that is sewn on the second thermoplastic resin sheet is drawn, and the second thermoplastic resin sheet is attached to the first thermoplastic resin sheet. By integrally integrating with the thermoplastic resin sheet, it is possible to realize a wiring pattern which is integrated with the first and second thermoplastic resin sheets and has elasticity. For example, even if it is difficult to sew a sewing machine using only a stretchable conductive thread because the tension of the stretchable conductive thread is insufficient, adding a non-stretchable thread to the stretchable conductive thread can It is possible to sew stably while ensuring the withstanding tension. Further, for example, a desired pattern can be arranged by using a non-stretchable yarn for the upper thread and a stretchable conductive thread for the lower thread, and then sewing the second thermoplastic resin sheet to the upper thread. It is also possible to arrange a desired pattern by using a stretchable conductive yarn and a non-stretchable yarn for the lower thread and then sewing the second thermoplastic resin sheet.

In the fifth feature configuration, as described in claim 5, in addition to the first feature configuration described above, the conductive yarn is constituted by a covering yarn in which a metal-coated yarn is wound around a stretchable core yarn. The first thermoplastic resin sheet is integrated with the first thermoplastic resin sheet.

By using a covering yarn in which a metal-coated yarn is wound around a stretchable core yarn as a conductive yarn, the conductive yarn is arranged in a desired pattern on one side of the first thermoplastic resin sheet, and is combined and integrated. It itself expands and contracts as the first thermoplastic resin sheet expands and contracts.

In the sixth feature configuration, as described in claim 6, in addition to the first feature configuration described above, the first thermoplastic resin sheet is configured by a laminate of thermoplastic resin layers having different melting points. There is in point.

Of the first thermoplastic resin sheet composed of a laminate of thermoplastic resin layers having different melting points, the low melting point thermoplastic resin layer functions as a fusion layer, and the high melting point thermoplastic resin layer is retained. Functions as a shape layer.

According to the seventh characteristic configuration, in addition to the sixth characteristic configuration described above, the conductive yarn is combined and integrated with the thermoplastic resin layer on the low melting point side of the laminated body. There is in point.

Of the first thermoplastic resin sheet composed of a laminate of thermoplastic resin layers having different melting points, conductive yarns arranged in a desired pattern are fused to the surface of the thermoplastic resin layer on the low melting point side to form a composite Integrated.

In the eighth feature configuration, as described in claim 8, in addition to the sixth or seventh feature configuration described above, the first thermoplastic resin sheet sandwiches a thermoplastic resin layer having a high melting point. It is in the point comprised by the laminated body by which the low melting point thermoplastic resin layer was distribute | arranged on both sides.

A conductive yarn arranged in a desired pattern is fused and integrated on the surface of one low-melting thermoplastic resin layer with a high-melting thermoplastic resin layer in between, and the other low-melting thermoplastic resin layer For example, a mounted portion on which the conductive composite sheet is mounted is fused.

In the ninth feature configuration, in addition to any one of the fifth to eighth feature configurations described above, the conductive property combined and integrated with the first thermoplastic resin sheet is provided. A protective thermoplastic resin sheet is further laminated so as to face the yarn.

The conductive yarn is covered with a protective thermoplastic resin sheet so that it does not wear due to contact with any object.

In the tenth feature configuration, in addition to any one of the first to ninth feature configurations described above, the conductive yarn is a pair of conductive yarns arranged in an insulated state. Is a basic unit, and is arranged in a predetermined straight line or a bent pattern on one surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet.

By arranging a pair of conductive yarns as basic units on the first thermoplastic resin sheet, wiring for forming an electric circuit between the measurement point and the wearable device can be easily realized in any desired pattern.

According to the eleventh characteristic configuration, as described in claim 11, in addition to the tenth characteristic configuration described above, a plurality of pairs of conductive yarns arranged in parallel with each other on one end side are provided for each basic unit. It is arranged to branch on the end side and electrically connected to the electrode material on the other end side.

By connecting, for example, a connector to one end of a plurality of pairs of conductive yarns, the wearable device and a plurality of pairs of conductive yarns can be connected together in one place, and a plurality of pairs can be connected to various measurement points. By arranging the conductive yarns so as to branch on the other end side, it is possible to electrically connect the electrode material corresponding to the measurement point on the distal end side.

According to the twelfth characteristic configuration, as described in claim 12, in addition to any of the first to eleventh characteristic configurations described above, the third thermoplastic resin sheet fused to the fabric is provided. The first thermoplastic resin sheet is fused with the conductive yarn in between.

Since the conductive composite sheet is fused to the fabric via the third thermoplastic resin sheet, the conductive composite sheet is held on the fabric with a sufficient adhesive force. The first thermoplastic resin sheet may be fused by sandwiching the conductive yarn from above the third thermoplastic resin sheet previously fused to the fabric, or the first heat may be sandwiched by previously sandwiching the conductive yarn. A conductive composite sheet in which the third thermoplastic resin sheet is fused to the plastic resin sheet may be fused to the fabric.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a conductive composite sheet that has sufficient stretchability and can secure a good touch when attached to a fabric.

FIG. 1A is an explanatory view of a conductive composite sheet according to the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that the second thermoplastic resin sheet 2 is stretch-sewn, and FIG. FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the second thermoplastic resin sheet in which the yarn is sewn, FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the first thermoplastic resin sheet, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state by which the plastic resin sheet was partially cut | disconnected. FIG. 2A is an explanatory view with a photographic image of the surface of the second thermoplastic resin sheet that has been flat stitched as an example of stretch stitching, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory view with a photographic image of the back surface. 3A is an explanatory diagram of the conductive composite sheet, FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of the conductive composite sheet attached to the compression pants, and FIG. 3C is a conductive composite sheet covered with a waterproof fabric. It is explanatory drawing of. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of overlock stitching, flat stitching, chain stitching, or staggered stitching, which are examples of stretch stitches. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the conductive composite sheet according to the present invention, FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the first thermoplastic resin sheet on which conductive yarns are arranged, and FIG. 5C. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the garment is attached to clothes. FIG. 6A is an explanatory view by a photographic image of the first thermoplastic resin sheet on which the conductive yarn is arranged, FIG. 6B is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the conductive yarn, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an expansion-contraction direction. FIG. 7 (a) is an explanatory view in plan view showing another embodiment of the conductive composite sheet according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 (b) is an explanatory view taken along the line AA in FIG. 7 (a). 8 (a), 8 (b), and 8 (c) are explanatory views showing a manufacturing process of the conductive composite sheet shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). 9 (a), 9 (b), and 9 (c) are explanatory views showing a manufacturing process of the conductive composite sheet shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). FIG. 10 is an explanatory view in plan view showing a modification of the conductive composite sheet shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a cross section taken along line AA of FIG. 7A showing a modified example of the conductive composite sheet shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. 12 (a), 12 (b), and 12 (c) are explanatory views showing a manufacturing process of the conductive composite sheet shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view in plan view showing an example of mounting the conductive composite sheet shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B on clothes. 14 (a), (b), (c), and (d) are cross-sectional explanatory views showing a modification of the conductive composite sheet.

Hereinafter, the electroconductive composite sheet by this invention is demonstrated based on drawing.
The conductive composite sheet is mounted on a cloth for a wearable device that measures biological information such as body temperature, heart rate, electrocardiogram, electromyogram, and various sensors such as electrodes or temperature sensors arranged at measurement points on the body surface. Functions as a wiring member for electrically connecting the wearable device and the wearable device.

As the fabric, a knitted fabric or a woven fabric having elasticity is preferably used. In the following description, a garment composed of a fabric will be described as an example. However, the subject to which the conductive composite sheet is attached is not limited to the garment, and any fabric that comes into contact with the body surface, such as a hat, gloves, socks, and a headband. , Supporters, bandages and the like.

[First embodiment of conductive composite sheet]
As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the conductive composite sheet 10 is desired on one surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 having elasticity and the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1. The conductive yarn 5 arranged in the pattern is provided.

The conductive yarn 5 is composed of a metal-plated yarn in which a metal component is attached to a core yarn, and the second thermoplastic resin sheet 2 stretched and sewn in a desired pattern using the conductive yarn 5 is a first thermoplastic resin. The sheet 1 is fused.

By forming a wiring pattern using the conductive yarn 5, a desired curved shape or bent shape can be realized with a high degree of freedom. And even if it bend | folds temporarily, the electrically conductive thread | yarn 5 will not be easily broken, and it becomes the conductive composite sheet 10 with good and high reliability that does not cause deterioration of comfort even when worn on clothes. .

And even if the conductive yarn 5 itself does not have stretchability, the wiring pattern is drawn by stretch stitching, so that stretchability appears integrally with the first and second thermoplastic resin sheets 1 and 2. . Furthermore, since it is only necessary to stretch and sew in a predetermined pattern using a sewing machine, even in the case of multi-product and small-volume production, it is possible to respond flexibly without increasing the equipment cost.

Any of overlock stitching, flat stitching, chain stitching or zigzag stitching can be adopted as the stretch stitching, and the range of available sewing machines can be expanded, and the equipment cost can be reduced.

FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) show an example in which a two-needle flat stitch is adopted as the stretchable sewing. Two upper and lower conductive threads 5 are sewn in parallel with two needles as a front thread, and a loop of the conductive threads 5 is entangled with a decorative thread 6 as a back thread.

2 (a) and 2 (b) show photographic images of the front and back surfaces of the second thermoplastic resin sheet 2 that has been stitched flatly with two needles. Two white threads visually recognized on the front surface are conductive threads 5, and black threads visually recognized on the back face are decorative threads 6.

FIG. 4A shows the front and back appearance of a single-needle overlock (ground stitching, three threads) as an example of overlock stitching, and FIG. 4B shows a two-needle overlock (four stitches). The front and back appearance of the thread) is shown.

FIG. 4 (c) shows the front and back appearance of a single-sided decoration (ground stitch) as an example of flat stitching, and FIG. 4 (d) shows a single needle double chain stitch (ground stitch) as an example of chain stitching. Fig. 4 (e) shows the front and back appearance of two-needle double chain stitch as an example of chain stitching, and Fig. 4 (f) shows the front and back appearance of zigzag stitching. It is shown.

Any sewing method may be adopted, and the number of needles is arbitrary. For example, a flat seam, which is a four-needle flat stitch, can be used. In addition, any overlock sewing, flat stitching, chain stitching, using any one needle, two needles, three needles, four needles, Staggered stitches can be used.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conductive yarn 5 has a predetermined linear shape on one surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 with a pair of conductive yarns 5 arranged in an insulated state as a basic unit. It is preferably arranged in a curved shape or a bent shape. By arranging the pair of conductive yarns 5 as a basic unit on the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1, it is possible to easily realize wiring that constitutes an electric circuit for signal transmission or power feeding between the measurement point and the wearable device. Become.

As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the conductive composite sheet 10 is arranged such that a plurality of pairs of conductive yarns 5 arranged in parallel with each other on one end side 11 branches on the other end side 12 for each basic unit. It is preferable that the other end side 12 is electrically connected to the electrode members 13 and 14.

By connecting, for example, a connector to one end side 11 of the plurality of pairs of conductive yarns 5, the wearable device and the plurality of pairs of conductive yarns 5 can be connected together in one place. In addition, by arranging a plurality of pairs of conductive yarns 5 so as to branch on the other end side 12 toward various measurement points, the electrode materials 13 and 14 corresponding to various measurement points on the other end side 12 can be electrically connected. Will be able to connect.

In addition, the conductive composite sheet 10 shown in FIG. 3A is obtained by stretching and stretching the conductive yarn 5 in a desired pattern to the rectangular second thermoplastic resin sheet 2 having a predetermined size, and the second thermoplastic resin sheet. 2 is heat-sealed to the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 so that the electrode members 13 and 14 can be electrically connected to the front end side of each conductive yarn 5 using a sheet-like hot melt adhesive or the like. And then cut into an appropriate shape.

Examples of hot melt adhesives include polyurethane hot melt resins, polyester hot melt resins, polyamide hot melt resins, EVA hot melt resins, polyolefin hot melt resins, styrene elastomer resins, and moisture curable urethane hot melts. Examples thereof include resins and reactive hot melt resins.

As shown in FIG. 1 (c), the conductive composite sheet 10 obtained in this way is applied to the third thermoplastic resin sheet 3 previously fused to the cloth body 20 of the clothes. By attaching the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 so as to sandwich the conductive yarn 5, the conductive yarn 5 is attached to the body cloth 20 of the clothing.

Since the conductive composite sheet 10 is fused to the clothing fabric 20 via the third thermoplastic resin sheet 3, the conductive composite sheet 10 is held by the clothes with a sufficient adhesive force. In addition, the conductive composite sheet 10 in which the third thermoplastic resin sheet 3 is fused to the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 with the conductive yarn 5 sandwiched in advance may be thermally fused to the clothing fabric 20. .

Furthermore, after the third thermoplastic resin sheet 3 is disposed between the clothing fabric 20 and the conductive composite sheet 10, the body fabric 20 and the conductive composite sheet 10 are pressed and heated to produce a third heat. The body cloth 20 and the conductive composite sheet 10 may be fused and fixed by melting the plastic resin sheet 3.

As shown in FIG. 1 (d), the conductive composite sheet 10 in which a pair of conductive yarns 5 is arranged is separated and cut from one end portion at the center of the pair of conductive yarns 5. It is also possible to perform heat fusion by adjusting the position of the end to an appropriate position with respect to the body cloth 20. In FIG.1 (d), the code | symbol 9 has shown the cutting location.

[First embodiment of garment incorporating conductive composite sheet]
FIG. 3B shows a state in which the above-described conductive composite sheet 10 is heat-sealed to the skin surface side of a compression-type pant 30 that supports an exercise function by supporting muscles. Such garments include, for example, a knitted fabric (flat knitting), rib knitting (rubber knitting, milling knitting), pearl knitting, denby knitting (tricot knitting), atlas knitting, cord knitting, or their changing structure mixed with polyurethane yarn. It can be composed of knitted fabric such as.

A connector CN for connecting one end side 11 of the conductive yarn 5 disposed on the conductive composite sheet 10 to the surface side through a slit (not shown) formed in the body cloth 20 to connect the wearable device. (Indicated by a broken line in FIGS. 3B and 3C).

The wear on which the conductive composite sheet 10 is attached is not limited to the compression type pants, and may be a compression type upper body wear or a wear other than the compression type. It can also be applied to underwear used for various sports and fitness.

FIG. 3 (c) shows a covering 40 (in FIG. 3 (c)) covering the conductive yarn 5 with a water-repellent fabric or a waterproof fabric so that the conductive yarns 5 are not short-circuited by sweating of the wearer. The hatched area) shows a state of being pasted with a hot melt adhesive.

It is not necessary to use a dedicated water-repellent fabric or waterproof fabric as the covering ground 40, and a fabric that is water-repellent or waterproof treated with the same material as the body fabric can also be used. A feeling of wear can be further improved by sticking such a covering ground 40.

[Constituent material of conductive composite sheet]
As the thermoplastic resin sheets 1, 2, and 3 having elasticity, a polyurethane sheet having a melting point of 90 to 220 ° C. and a thickness of 30 to 200 μm is preferably used. Each of the thermoplastic resin sheets 1, 2, 3 may be a composite of two or more thermoplastic resin sheets. It is also possible to vary the melting point of each layer. For example, it is preferable to lower the melting point of the layer on the side close to the fabric to be attached. By doing in this way, it is preferable at the point which can implement | achieve high adhesive strength with a fabric simultaneously, implement | achieving high waterproofness.

As the thermoplastic resin sheets 1, 2, 3, thermoplastic elastomers such as polyester elastomers, polyamide elastomers, and polyolefin elastomers can be used in addition to the polyurethane sheets.

As the conductive yarn 5, a resin fiber, natural fiber, or metal wire is used as a core, and a metal component is deposited on the core by wet or dry coating, plating, vacuum film formation, or other appropriate deposition methods. It is preferable to use a metal deposition wire (plated wire). Although a monofilament can be used for the core, a multifilament or a spun yarn is preferable to the monofilament.

Examples of metal components to be deposited on the core include pure metals such as aluminum, nickel, copper, titanium, magnesium, tin, zinc, iron, silver, gold, platinum, vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt, alloys thereof, stainless steel Brass, etc. can be used. In this embodiment, a silver-plated thread is used on a multifilament made of nylon or polyester.

By using a twisted yarn in which a plurality of plated wires are twisted, even if a sewing machine is used, it does not break easily, and slipping is improved, so that it is possible to avoid stitch shrinkage and pulling such as puckering. In particular, triplet yarns can be preferably used as such fuel yarns.

Further, by using the conductive yarn 5 covered with a low melting point polyurethane having a melting point of 90 to 150 ° C., it becomes possible to ensure insulation in a state where it is sewn to the second thermoplastic resin sheet 2. Moreover, it becomes possible to heat-seal the garment without interposing the third thermoplastic resin sheet 3. Examples of the mode in which the conductive yarn 5 is coated with polyurethane include a mode in which the conductive yarn 5 is covered with a polyurethane yarn and a mode in which the conductive yarn 5 is coated with a polyurethane resin.

The fineness of the conductive yarn is preferably 33 dtex to 400 dtex. In particular, 70 to 300 dtex is preferable.

Although the example using the metal plating thread | yarn which made the core thread adhere | attached the metal component as the electrically conductive thread | yarn 5 was demonstrated, for example, natural fiber or synthetic fiber like SILBERN ZAG (trademark) by Nippon Shin Material Co., Ltd. It is also possible to use a silver ion yarn having silver ions attached thereto. In the present specification, these are collectively referred to as metal-coated yarns.

The electrode materials 13 and 14 can be formed of a fabric knitted or woven using the conductive yarn 5, and the elastic yarn such as polyurethane is used as a core yarn like the stretchable conductive yarn described later, and the above-described electrode materials 13 and 14 are formed. It is preferable in that the conductive yarn 5 is knitted or woven using a covering yarn covered with a core yarn and covered to expand and contract with the expansion and contraction of the conductive composite sheet 10 or the body fabric constituting the clothes.

In addition, the structure of the electrode materials 13 and 14 is not specifically limited, It cannot be overemphasized that a well-known electrode material can be used suitably. Further, the conductive yarn 5 itself may function as the electrode materials 13 and 14.

A desired electromyogram can be obtained by arranging the pair of electrode members 13 and 14 at the site corresponding to the measurement point of the wearer's muscle. Moreover, a temperature change of the wearer can be measured by arranging a temperature sensitive element such as a thermocouple or a thermistor between the pair of electrode members 13 and 14 or one of the electrodes.

[Second Aspect of Conductive Composite Sheet]
Furthermore, you may comprise the electroconductive composite sheet 10 using the 2nd thermoplastic resin sheet 2 mentioned above.

For example, after the non-stretchable yarn is attached to the stretchable conductive yarn 5 and the second thermoplastic resin sheet 2 is sewn in a desired pattern using a sewing machine, the nonstretchable yarn is broken by pulling, or By fusing by heat treatment, a desired pattern using the stretchable conductive yarn 5 can be arranged on the second thermoplastic resin sheet 2.

Sewing processing in this case means non-stretchable sewing such as main stitching, and is a case where sewing with only the stretchable conductive thread 5 is difficult because the tension of the stretchable conductive thread 5 is not sufficient. However, by attaching a non-stretchable thread to the stretchable conductive thread 5, it is possible to sew stably while securing a tension that can withstand sewing.

As the non-stretchable yarn, a low melting point heat-fusible fiber yarn selected from polyamide fiber yarn, polyester fiber yarn or polyolefin fiber yarn is preferably used. It is preferable to use a non-stretchable yarn in which a plurality of filament yarns having a single fiber fineness of 5 dtex to 110 dtex are twisted and a melting point is in the range of 50 ° C to 90 ° C.

It is also possible to remove the non-stretchable yarn that is melted by heat treatment after the sewing process is completed, from the second thermoplastic resin sheet 2, and in this way, the second thermoplastic resin sheet 2 can be stretched and contracted. The conductive composite sheet 10 in which the conductive conductive yarns 5 are arranged in a desired pattern can be realized. The melted non-stretchable yarn may be left in the second thermoplastic resin sheet 2 as it is.

It goes without saying that other yarn types such as cotton yarn that is not easily melted by heating can be adopted as the non-stretchable yarn instead of the above-described low melting point heat-fusible fiber yarn. .

When the tension of the stretchable conductive thread 5 is sufficient and the sewing machine using only the stretchable conductive thread 5 can be easily sewn, the non-stretchable sewing may be performed without attaching the non-stretchable thread. For example, by using a non-stretchable thread for the upper thread and a stretchable conductive thread for the lower thread, a desired pattern can be arranged by sewing the second thermoplastic resin sheet 2 to the upper thread. It is also possible to arrange a desired pattern by using a stretchable conductive yarn and using a non-stretchable yarn as the lower yarn and then sewing to the second thermoplastic resin sheet 2. In any case, the present invention is not limited to non-stretchable stitches, and stretchable stitches may be employed.

That is, a non-stretchable or stretch-stitched stitch in a desired pattern using a non-stretchable thread attached to a conductive thread or using a non-stretchable thread for at least one of an upper thread and a lower thread while using a conductive thread. It is only necessary that the two thermoplastic resin sheets are combined and integrated with the first thermoplastic resin sheet.

[Third Aspect of Conductive Composite Sheet]
5A and 5B show another embodiment of the conductive composite sheet 10. In the conductive composite sheet 10, the conductive yarn 5 is arranged in a desired shape on one main surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 without using the second thermoplastic resin sheet 2 of the above-described embodiment. (See FIG. 5A.) FIG. 5B shows a state in which the surface on which the conductive yarn 5 is arranged is viewed from below.

Even when such a conductive composite sheet 10 is attached to a garment, the conductive composite sheet is applied to the third thermoplastic resin sheet 3 previously fused to the cloth body 20 of the garment, as in FIG. The first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 is attached by fusing the ten conductive yarns 5 therebetween.

FIG. 6 (a) shows a photographic image taken from the back surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 on which the conductive yarn 5 showing stretchability is arranged.

As shown in FIGS. 6 (b) and 6 (c), the conductive yarn 5 is composed of a covering yarn in which the metal film yarn 5b described above is wound around a stretchable core yarn 5a such as polyurethane. It itself is configured to expand and contract in the longitudinal direction of the core yarn 5a.

Either SCY or DCY can be used as the covering yarn, but DCY is preferably used from the viewpoint of good stretch characteristics and stability of the electric resistance value during stretch. In particular, the winding direction of the lower winding and the upper winding is reversed (for example, when the lower winding is S winding, the upper winding is Z winding, or when the lower winding is Z winding, the upper winding is DCY is preferred.

If the conductive yarn 5 is arranged and fused in a desired pattern on one surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1, the conductive yarn 5 itself expands and contracts with the expansion and contraction of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1. It becomes like this. Such a stretchable conductive yarn 5 can be covered with the low melting point polyurethane as described above. As described above, the mode in which the conductive yarn 5 is coated with polyurethane includes a mode in which the conductive yarn 5 is covered with a polyurethane yarn and a mode in which the conductive yarn 5 is coated with a polyurethane resin.

In FIG. 7A, a spiral electrode portion 51 and a linear wiring portion 52 are constituted by one conductive thread 5 arranged on one main surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1, and the living body The conductive composite sheet 10 configured to function as a sensor sheet having a biological electrode for acquiring an electrical signal is illustrated.

A part of the conductive yarn 5 forming the electrode portion 51 is exposed on one main surface side of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 so as to be in contact with the skin surface of the human body so as to obtain a desired bioelectric signal. The covering ground 40 described above is attached to a location corresponding to the wiring portion 52 using a hot melt adhesive or the like.

As shown in FIG. 7B, a part of the outer surface of the conductive yarn 5 constituting the electrode portion 51 and the wiring portion 52 is buried and fixed in the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1. In the present embodiment, the conductive yarn 5 is fixed so as to be partially embedded in the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 in the entire longitudinal direction.

The fineness of the conductive yarn 5 having stretchability is preferably 33 dtex to 1000 dtex. In particular, it is preferably 70 to 650 dtex. When the conductive yarn 5 is configured as a covering yarn in which a metal-coated yarn is wound around the core yarn 5a, the fineness of the core yarn 5a is preferably 310 dtex to 1880 dtex, and more preferably 620 dtex to 1240 dtex.

When configuring as a covering yarn, the core yarn is preferably wound in a stretched state (drafted). The fineness of the metal-coated yarn wound around the core yarn is preferably 33 dtex to 200 dtex, and more preferably 44 dtex to 90 dtex.

Also, the conductive yarn 5 previously coated with an insulating resin material can be used as the conductive yarn 5 corresponding to the wiring portion 52. If such a conductive yarn 5 is used, it is not necessary to provide the above-mentioned covering ground 40.

As such an insulating resin material, for example, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon (such as nylon 6 or nylon 66, which is formed by spinning a long chain continuous synthetic polymer by an amide bond. Fluorinated resins such as polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ether ketone, PFA, PVDF, ETFE, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyethersulfone , Formal (polyvinyl formal), butyral (polyvinyl butyral), and the like. Note that materials that can be used as the insulating coating layer are not limited to these resin types.

A method for producing such a conductive composite sheet 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8 (a), a mold 7 is prepared in which slits 71 having a desired pattern for arranging conductive yarns on a thin metal plate such as stainless steel are formed. As shown in FIG. A pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 72 having a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface formed on one surface thereof is pasted so as to cover the slit 71 formed on the surface.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the surface opposite to the surface on which the adhesive tape 72 is adhered is faced up, and the slit 71 is formed along the slit 71 formed in the mold 7. Conductive yarn 5 is disposed. Since the conductive yarn 5 is held by the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape 72, it is temporarily fixed without being displaced.

Next, as shown to Fig.9 (a), the surface on the opposite side to the sticking surface of the adhesive tape 72 is used as the 1st thermoplastic resin sheet among the forms 7 with which the conductive thread | yarn 5 was distribute | arranged to the slit 71. FIG. As shown in FIG. 9 (b), the mold 7 and the conductive yarn 5 are pressed by the heating plate 100 heated from the upper side of the adhesive tape 72 to the melting temperature of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 or higher. Heat.

For example, when a polyurethane sheet having a melting point of 90 to 150 ° C. is used for the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1, the mold 7 and the conductive yarn 5 may be pressed and heated with the heating plate 100 heated to about 170 ° C.

By pressing and heating, a part of the outer surface of the conductive yarn 5 forming the electrode part 51 and the wiring part 52 is buried in the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 and is fixed by being thermally fused. After completion of the pressure heating, the adhesive tape 72 and the mold 7 are removed to complete the conductive composite sheet 10 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 shows another aspect of the conductive composite sheet 10 that functions as a sensor sheet. Reinforcing sheet members 5 a and 5 b are provided that are partially covered with the conductive yarn 50 constituting the electrode portion 51 and fixed to the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1. The reinforcing sheet member 5a that covers the tip of the conductive yarn 50 constituting the electrode part 51 and the reinforcing sheet member 5b that covers the electrode part 51 having a spiral linear structure collectively.

As the reinforcing sheet members 5a and 5b, the same material as the covering ground 40 covering the wiring part 52 described in FIG. 7A can be used. In order to fix the reinforcing sheet member to the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1, the above-described hot melt adhesive or the like can be used. It is also possible to use a sheet-like resin material similar to the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1.

By providing such reinforcing sheet members 5a and 5b, the adhesion between the electrode part 51 and the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 can be further enhanced, and the conductive yarn 50 constituting the electrode part 51 is provided with the first It is possible to effectively prevent peeling and dropping from the thermoplastic resin sheet 1.

Although the place where the reinforcing sheet members 5a and 5b are attached is not particularly limited, it is preferable that the reinforcing sheet members 5a and 5b are provided so as to cover at least the tip of the conductive yarn 50 constituting the electrode part 51. Due to the structure of the electrode portion 51, the tip portion is a portion that is easily peeled off from the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1, and by providing a reinforcing sheet member at the tip portion of the conductive yarn 50, the durability of the electrode portion 51 is further improved. This can be further improved.

In the example described in FIG. 7B, the degree of burying of the outer surface of the conductive yarn 5 with respect to the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 is substantially constant, but the degree of burying does not have to be uniform, The depth may be different, or there may be a portion that is not buried.

As shown in FIG. 11, a part 5A of the conductive yarn 5 may be configured to have a larger amount embedded in the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 than the other part 5B. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA showing one embodiment of the conductive composite sheet 10 in FIG.

It becomes possible to increase the adhesion strength of the conductive yarn 5 to the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 by providing a portion with a large amount of burying in the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 partially. Moreover, when making it function as the electrode part 51, compared with the case where the whole amount of burying is enlarged, it can prevent that a contact area with a wearer's skin surface reduces significantly.

In order to enable adjustment of the amount of burying, for example, when heat-sealing while burying a part of the outer surface of the conductive yarn 5 on one main surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 by press heating, What is necessary is just to press strongly so that the amount of embedding may partially increase.

An example of a method for producing such a conductive composite sheet 10 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 12A, a mold 7 is prepared in which slits 71 having a desired pattern for arranging conductive yarns on a thin metal plate such as stainless steel are formed. The slit 71 includes an uncut portion 73 so as to be partially discontinuous.

As shown in FIG. 12 (b), an adhesive sheet 72 having an adhesive surface formed on one surface is attached so as to cover the slit 71 formed in the mold 7, and the surface to which the adhesive tape 72 is attached The conductive yarn 5 is arranged inside the slit 71 along the slit 71 formed in the mold 7 with the opposite side facing up. Since the conductive yarn 5 is held by the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape 72 inside the slit 71 except for the uncut portion 73, it is temporarily fixed without being displaced.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12 (c), the first thermoplastic resin sheet is formed on the surface of the mold 7 in which the conductive yarn 5 is arranged in the slit 71, on the side opposite to the adhesive tape 72. 1, the mold 7 and the conductive yarn 5 are pressed and heated by the heating plate 100 heated from the upper side of the adhesive tape 72 to the melting temperature of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 or higher.

When the conductive yarn 5 is directly pressed by the uncut portion 73 of the mold 7 when the heating plate 100 is pressed and heated, the conductive yarn portion positioned in the uncut portion 73 is not located in the uncut portion 73. Compared to other conductive yarn portions, the amount of burying in the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 is large.

Even when there is a possibility that the bending strength of the mold 7 is lowered due to the formation of the slit 71, the lowering of the bending strength is suppressed by the uncut portion 73 provided in the mold 7. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of damage such as bending of the mold 7 and to improve the workability when manufacturing the sensor sheet 1.

[Second embodiment of clothing incorporating conductive composite sheet]
FIG. 13 illustrates a T-shirt 100 that is an example of clothes using the above-described conductive composite sheet 10 as a sensor sheet. A pair of conductive composite sheets 10 are arranged on the left and right sides of the T-shirt 100 so that an electrocardiogram can be detected.

The conductive composite sheet 10 is fused and fixed to the skin side surface of the T-shirt 100 so that the pair of left and right electrode portions 51 are in contact with the left and right chests of the wearer, and the metal functions as a terminal portion on the surface side of the T-shirt 100. A male-type or female-type snap button 53 is arranged and fixed by crimping so as to be electrically connected to the wiring portion 52.

An electrocardiogram can be measured by connecting a signal line in which a female or male snap button engageable with the snap button 53 is fixed to a biological information measuring device such as an electrocardiograph as an external device. become.

[Fourth Aspect of Conductive Composite Sheet]
In the conductive composite sheet 10 shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B to 9A, 9B, 9C, an example in which the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 is formed of a single layer. Although demonstrated, the 1st thermoplastic resin sheet 10 may be comprised by the laminated body of the several thermoplastic resin layer from which melting | fusing point differs.

Of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 composed of a laminate of thermoplastic resin layers having different melting points, the thermoplastic resin layer on the low melting point side functions as a fusion layer, and the thermoplastic resin layer on the high melting point side It comes to function as a shape-retaining layer that maintains the arrangement state of the conductive yarn 5 stably.

14 (a) to 14 (d) show various modes in which the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 is composed of a laminate of a plurality of thermoplastic resin layers having different melting points. 14A to 14D is similar to the cross-sectional structure of FIG. 7B, but the electrode portion 51 arranged in a spiral shape shown in FIG. 7B. The cross-sectional structure of the four long conductive yarns 5 arranged in parallel to each other is not shown, and has a function as a wiring member used for signal transmission or the like.

In FIG. 14 (a), the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 is composed of a laminate of two thermoplastic resin layers 1a and 1b having different melting points, and the conductive yarn 5 is attached to the thermoplastic resin layer 1a on the low melting point side. An example in which is arranged and combined and integrated is shown.

The first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 is heat-sealed to the clothing fabric 20 via the third thermoplastic resin sheet 3. The third thermoplastic resin sheet 3 is also composed of a laminate of two thermoplastic resin layers 3 a and 3 b having different melting points, and the thermoplastic resin layer 3 a on the high melting point side has a low melting point of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1. The lower thermoplastic resin layer 3b is disposed opposite to the body cloth 20 side and is heat-sealed to the body cloth 20 side. In order to avoid confusion with the “second” thermoplastic resin sheet 2 described with reference to FIG. 1A, the “second” thermoplastic resin sheet 3 is not expressed as “second”. ing.

In the present embodiment, the first and third thermoplastic resin sheets 1 and 3 are constituted by two-layer polyurethane resin sheets having a thickness of 30 to 200 μm, and a polyurethane having a melting point of 150 to 220 ° C. as a polyurethane resin layer on the high melting point side. A resin is used, and a polyurethane resin having a melting point of 90 to 150 ° C. is used as the polyurethane resin layer on the low melting point side. The same applies to a thermoplastic resin sheet composed of a laminate of thermoplastic resin layers described below.

In FIG. 14 (b), the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1 is composed of a laminate in which low-melting thermoplastic resin layers 1a and 1c are arranged on both sides of a high-melting thermoplastic resin layer 1b. Yes. Conductive yarns 5 arranged in a desired pattern are fused and integrated on the surface of one low-melting thermoplastic resin layer 1a with the high-melting thermoplastic resin layer 1b in between, and the other low-melting heat It is heat-sealed to the body cloth 20 that is a portion to which the conductive composite sheet 10 is attached to the plastic resin layer 1c.

That is, the function of the third thermoplastic resin sheet 3 for thermally fusing the conductive composite sheet 10 to the body cloth 20 is replaced by the low melting point thermoplastic resin layer 1c constituting the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1. Therefore, the separate third thermoplastic resin sheet 3 becomes unnecessary.

In the example of FIG. 14B, in order to protect the conductive composite sheet 10 heat-sealed to the body fabric 20, it faces the conductive yarn 4 that is composite-integrated with the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1. A protective thermoplastic resin sheet 4 is further laminated. The thermoplastic resin sheet 4 is also composed of a laminate of two thermoplastic resin layers 4 a and 4 b having different melting points, and the low melting point thermoplastic resin layer 4 b is on the low melting point side of the first thermoplastic resin sheet 1. The thermoplastic resin layer 4b on the high melting point side functions as a protective layer for the conductive yarn 5 so as to be disposed opposite to the thermoplastic resin layer 1a and thermally fused, so that the conductive yarn 5 is not worn by contact with any object. To do.

FIG. 14 (c) shows an example in which the protective thermoplastic resin sheet 4 shown in FIG. 14 (b) is composed of a single thermoplastic resin layer on the high melting point side. Furthermore, in FIG. 14 (d), the protective thermoplastic resin sheet 4 is composed of a laminate of two thermoplastic resin layers 4a and 4b having different melting points, and the thermoplastic resin layer 4a on the high melting point side is the first one. The thermoplastic resin layer 1a on the low melting point side of the thermoplastic resin sheet 1 of 1 is disposed opposite to the thermoplastic resin layer 1a and thermally fused, and the thermoplastic resin layer 4b on the low melting point side is further fused with the coating 40 disposed on the upper layer. Is configured to wear.

In any of the conductive composite sheets 10 shown in FIGS. 14 (a) to 14 (d), a release film is preferably disposed on the heat-sealing surface with respect to the cloth body 20. This is to prevent the conductive composite sheet 10 from being contaminated or damaged due to the influence of the environment in various processes such as manufacturing and transportation up to the heat welding process to the body cloth 20.

Although various embodiments of the conductive composite sheet 10 have been described above, it is needless to say that the conductive composite sheet 10 can be configured by appropriately combining the above-described embodiments.

The conductive composite sheet 10 according to the present invention is widely used as a signal transmission wiring member to be worn on clothes for wearable devices that measure biological information such as body temperature, heart rate, electrocardiogram, and electromyogram.

10: conductive composite sheet 1: first thermoplastic resin sheet 2: second thermoplastic resin sheet 3: third thermoplastic resin sheet 5: conductive yarn 7: mold 71: slit 72: adhesive tape 73: Uncut portion 100: heating plate

Claims (12)

A conductive composite sheet attached to a fabric,
A first thermoplastic resin sheet having elasticity;
A conductive yarn arranged in a desired pattern on one surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet;
A conductive composite sheet comprising: The conductive yarn is composed of a metal-coated yarn in which a metal component is attached to a core yarn, and a second thermoplastic resin sheet stretched and sewn in the desired pattern using the conductive yarn is the first thermoplastic resin. The conductive composite sheet according to claim 1, wherein the composite composite is integrated with the resin sheet. The conductive composite sheet according to claim 2, wherein any of overlock stitching, flat stitching, chain stitching or staggered stitching is adopted as the stretchable stitching. The conductive yarn is constituted by a covering yarn in which a metal-coated yarn is wound around an elastic core yarn, and at least one of an upper yarn and a lower yarn is added with a non-elastic yarn attached to the conductive yarn or using the conductive yarn. The second thermoplastic resin sheet that is non-stretched or stretch-sewn in the desired pattern using a non-stretchable thread is combined and integrated with the first thermoplastic resin sheet. The conductive composite sheet described. The conductive composite sheet according to claim 1, wherein the conductive thread is composed of a covering thread in which a metal-coated thread is wound around a stretchable core thread, and is integrally integrated with the first thermoplastic resin sheet. The conductive composite sheet according to claim 5, wherein the first thermoplastic resin sheet is composed of a laminate of a plurality of thermoplastic resin layers having different melting points. The conductive composite sheet according to claim 6, wherein the conductive yarn is combined and integrated with a thermoplastic resin layer on a low melting point side of the laminate. 8. The conductive composite according to claim 6, wherein the first thermoplastic resin sheet is composed of a laminate in which a low-melting thermoplastic resin layer is disposed on both sides of a high-melting thermoplastic resin layer. Sheet. The conductive composite sheet according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein a protective thermoplastic resin sheet is further laminated so as to face the conductive yarn compositely integrated with the first thermoplastic resin sheet. The conductive yarn is arranged in a predetermined straight line or a bent pattern on one surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet with a pair of conductive yarns arranged in an insulated state as a basic unit. The conductive composite sheet according to any one of the above. A plurality of pairs of conductive yarns arranged parallel to each other on one end side are arranged so as to branch on the other end side for each basic unit, and electrically connected to an electrode material on the other end side. The conductive composite sheet described. The conductive composite sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first thermoplastic resin sheet is fused with a third thermoplastic resin sheet fused to a fabric with the conductive yarn interposed therebetween. .

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