Area Element

Abstract

A surface element with a first layer, which has a conductive loop embedded in an insulating material, and with a sensor layer forming a second layer that is in contact with the conductive loop. The sensor layer is designed for detecting at least one external input variable. Dependent upon this detection, a current flowing through the conductive loop is affected. The surface element can be operated in a reverse operation such that by feeding currents into the conductive loop, the one or each of multiple sensor layer(s) generates output variables.

Claims

1. A surface element (1) with a first layer (2) that has a conductive loop (3) embedded within an insulating material and with a second layer forming a sensor layer (5), which is in contact with the conductive loop (3), wherein the sensor layer (5) is designed for detecting at least one external input variable and dependent upon this detection, a current flowing in the conductive loop (3) is affected, or that the surface element (1) is operated in a reversed operation such that by feeding currents into the conductive loop (3), the or each sensor layer (5) generates output variables.

2. The surface element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first layer (2) and the second layer are formed from a common surface segment or from two separate surface segments.

3. The surface element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first layer (2) is a textile surface, wherein the conductive loop (3) is provided on the side of the first layer (2) facing toward the sensor layer (5).

4. The surface element (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the textile surface is a woven, flat-knitted, warp-knitted or nonwoven fabric.

5. The surface element (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the conductive loop (3) is worked into the textile surface in the form of electrically conductive threads.

6. The surface element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor layer (5) is applied to the first layer (2) as a coating.

7. The surface element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor layer (5) is a conductive layer or a piezoelectric layer.

8. The surface element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive layer is designed for detecting mechanical loads and/or for detecting environmental moisture.

9. The surface element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that on the side of the first layer (2) opposite the sensor layer (5), an adaptation layer (6) is provided, wherein the adaptation layer (6) is composed of an insulating or weakly conductive material.

10. The surface element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a conductive loop (3, 3′) is respectively provided on opposite sides of the first layer (2), wherein each conductive loop (3, 3′) is in contact with a sensor layer (5, 5′).

11. The surface element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor layer (5, 5′) is integrated in the conductive loop (3, 3′).

12. The surface element (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the conductive loop (3, 3′) is formed by electrically conductive threads, which along with sensor threads form interwindings, wherein the sensor threads form the sensor layer, wherein especially the sensor threads are formed by piezoelectric threads.

13. The surface element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the output signals of the or each conductive loop (3, 3′) form a measure for external input variables.

14. The surface element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has two first layers (2, 2′), each with a conductive loop (3, 3′) embedded in an insulating material, and that between the first layers (2, 2′), a sensor layer (5, 5′) is provided, which in reverse operation of the surface element (1) can generate output variables.

15. The surface element (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the sensor layer (5, 5′) is an electrically insulating layer in which, in the presence of a voltage at the conductive loops (3, 3′), reactive oxygen compounds are generated.

16. The surface element (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that in the presence of a voltage at the conductive loops (3, 3′), electric and/or magnetic fields are generated.

17. The surface element (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that in the sensor layer (5, 5′), electrochemical processes are generated, through which input variables in the form of reactive oxygen compounds result.

18. The surface element (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that external input variables are stored in the sensor layer (5, 5′) for predetermined time periods.

19. The surface element (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the sensor layer (5, 5′) is an electrically insulting layer in which, depending on the presence of a voltage at the conductive loops (3, 3′), an ion structure in the sensor layer (5, 5′) is changed, as an output variable, wherein depending on the status of the output variable, the sensor layer (5, 5′) is air-permeable or air-impermeable.

20. The surface element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that light radiation or a heat emission are provided as output variables.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] The invention is explained below based on the drawings. They show:

[0061] FIG. 1: First exemplary embodiment of the surface element according to the invention.

[0062] FIG. 2: Individual depiction of components of the surface element from FIG. 1.

[0063] FIG. 3: Second exemplary embodiment of the surface element according to the invention.

[0064] FIG. 4: Individual depiction of components of the surface element from FIG. 3.

[0065] FIG. 5: Additional exemplary embodiment of the surface element according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the surface element 1 according to the invention, wherein its components are individually depicted in FIG. 2.

[0067] The surface element 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 has a first layer 2 that is generally composed of an insulating, i.e. non-conductive, material, wherein in this layer a conductive loop 3 made of an electrically conductive material is provided.

[0068] In the present case, the first layer 2 is composed of a textile surface that is built up from insulating threads or yarns.

[0069] For example, the textile surface is a woven, flat-knitted, warp-knitted or nonwoven fabric.

[0070] In the present case, the conductive loop 3 is worked into the textile surface in the form of electrically conductive threads.

[0071] As is evident in FIG. 2, the conductive loop 3 extends across the entire surface of the first layer 2, wherein the loop runs through multiple loops in a meander pattern.

[0072] At an edge of the first layer 2, the free ends of the conductive loop 3 open out to form measuring points 4 at which a measurement device, especially a current measuring device, can be connected.

[0073] In the present case, the measuring points 4 open out on the same edge of the first layer 2. In general, the two measuring points 4 can open out on different edges, especially opposing edges.

[0074] The second layer forms a sensor layer 5, by means of which one or multiple external input variables can be detected. Preferably the entire surface of the sensor layer 5 forms a surface that is sensitive for detecting the variables.

[0075] In the present case, the sensor layer 5 is formed in the form of a coating that is applied to the first layer 2. In principle, the first and second layer can also form a common surface segment, such as in the form of a foil.

[0076] The sensor unit can be formed from a piezoelectric layer.

[0077] In the present case, the sensor layer 5 is formed in the form of an electrically conductive layer. It is essential, as is evident in FIG. 1, for the conductive layer, i.e. the sensor layer 5, to be in contact with the conductive loop 3 of the first layer 2.

[0078] Changes in the (electrical) conductivity therefore directly affect the current in the conductive loop 3, which is immediately registered by measurements at the measuring points 4.

[0079] Using the conductive sensor layer 5, two external input variables can be detected, namely on the one hand, the environmental moisture affecting the conductivity and on the other hand, mechanical loads that result in local deformations of the sensor layer 5 and as a result, to current changes in the conductive loop 3.

[0080] The two variables can be detected separately in a suitable evaluation unit by a time-resolved detection of the current in the conductive loop 3. In this manner, static changes of the current in the conductive loop 3 caused by the environmental moisture can be reliably differentiated from dynamic current changes that vary more significantly over time in the conductive loop 3 caused by mechanical influences. The attribution of the current change can vary based on the application case.

[0081] The third layer of the surface element 1 from FIG. 1 forms an adaptation layer 6, which is designed especially for an adaptation of the surface element 1 to different supporting materials.

[0082] It is advantageous for the adaptation layer 6 to be made of an insulating or weakly conductive material.

[0083] FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the surface element according to the invention.

[0084] In the embodiment from FIG. 3, a sensor layer 5, 5′ is provided respectively at opposing sides of the first layer 2.

[0085] In the first layer 2, respectively on opposing sides, there is a conductive loop 3, 3′ that is respectively in contact with a sensor layer 5, 5′.

[0086] Analogous to the embodiment, the first layer 2 is composed of a textile surface in which the conductive loops 3, 3′ are worked in.

[0087] In principle, the sensor layers 5, 5′ can be identical in form.

[0088] In the present case, different sensor layers 5, 5′ are provided that detect different variables. The first sensor layer 5 can be formed as a conductive layer. By evaluating the current in the associated conductive loop 3, the environmental moisture, for example, can be detected. The second sensor layer 5′ can be formed from a piezoelectric layer. By evaluating the current in the associated conductive loop 3′, mechanical loads that affect the surface element 1 are detected.

[0089] In both embodiments of the surface element 1, the latter can be covered on both sides with an insulating layer.

[0090] These insulating layers are not depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0091] In general, multiple surface elements 1 according to FIG. 1 or 2 can be joined together to form a large, continuous surface. In this case, the ends of the conductive loops 3 of adjacent surface elements 1 are connected together.

[0092] FIG. 5 shows another exemplary embodiment of the surface element 1 according to the invention, wherein in the present case, it is operated in reverse operation, such that defined output variables can be generated with its sensor layer 5.

[0093] The sensor layer 5 lies between two first layers 2, 2′ with respectively one conductive loop 3, 3′. The first layers 2, 2′ are composed of textile surfaces. The conductive loops 3, 3′ can be formed from electrically conductive threads that are worked into the textile surfaces. The conductive loops 3, 3′ can be connected to a voltage source, such as a battery. The conductive loops 3, 3′ can be designed such that two layers with opposite charges result.

[0094] The sensor layer 5 is an electrically insulating layer that, in principle, can be formed in the form of a foil or coating. The sensor layer 5 is preferably a porous, electro-osmotic layer, such as a nonwoven. When introducing a voltage to the conductive loops 3, 3′, an electrical and/or magnetic field is produced in the sensor layer, by means of which field a potential for the surface element can arise. Together with external input variables such as moisture/water and oxygen, in this manner reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage viruses or bacteria, can arise. In this regard, in other embodiments, the required input variables for the desired electrochemical reaction can also be stored for the short-term or long-term in the sensor layer 5.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0095] (1) Surface element

[0096] (2) Layer, first

[0097] (3, 3′) Conductive loop

[0098] (4) Measuring point

[0099] (5, 5′) Sensor layer

[0100] (6) Adaptation layer