Functional Fabric Pattern—Examining the Case of Pressure Detection and Localization

This paper proposes a method for modifying the functionality of conductive fabric by using different weaves on the same materials. After introducing the method, this paper demonstrates its effectiveness using an example involving fabric pressure sensors. The fabric pressure sensors in this paper can alter the electrical properties of a given fabric—while using the same material in both the warp and weft directions—by changing the weaving technique at certain locations within the fabric. Conventional fabric pressure sensors require separate, location-specific outputs; every increase in the number of detection locations requires an increase in the number of detector circuit input cables. However, our fabric pressure sensors can detect location and external force via just three input–output cables.