Detecting System Able To Generate An Electrical Signal

Abstract

Detection system for generating an electrical signal representative of a variation in light intensity, including a textile element having a first group of optical fibres including on their peripheral surface alterations allowing light to be captured laterally in at least one capturing zone of the textile element, the optical fibres of the first group being grouped together into at least one bundle on at least one border of the textile element, and at least one photosensitive element arranged facing at least one end of at least one bundle of optical fibres of the first group and allowing an electrical signal to be generated depending on the variation in light intensity captured laterally by the optical fibres in the capturing zone of the textile web.

Claims

1. Detection system k for generating an electrical signal representative of a variation in light intensity, characterized in that it comprises: a textile element comprising a first group of optical fibers including on their peripheral surface alterations allowing light to be captured laterally in at least one capturing zone of the textile element, the optical fibers of the first group being grouped together into at least one bundle on at least one border of the textile element; at least one photosensitive element arranged facing at least one end of at least one bundle of optical fibers of the first group and allowing the generation of an electrical signal as a function of the variation in light intensity captured laterally by the optical fibers in said capturing zone of the textile web.

2. Detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the textile element comprises a second group of optical fibers comprising on their peripheral surface alterations allowing the lateral emission of light in at least one emission zone arranged in immediate proximity to the capturing zone of the first group of optical fibers with the optical fibers of the second group being grouped together into at least one bundle on at least one border of the web; and in that the detecting system comprises at least one light source arranged facing one end of the bundle of optical fibers of the second group and allowing the emission of a light signal inside of said bundle.

3. Detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the textile element can be a fabric having optical fibers in the warp and/or the weft of the first group and binding threads arranged in warp and/or in weft.

4. Detection system according to claim 2, characterized in that the fabric comprises, in warp and/or in weft, the optical fibers the second group.

5. Pressure sensor characterized in that it comprises a detection system according to claim 1 and: a second textile element comprising another group of optical fibers comprising on their peripheral surface alterations allowing the lateral emission of light from at least one emission zone arranged facing the capturing zone of the first group of optical fibers of the textile web, the optical fibers of the said other group being grouped together into at least one bundle on at least one border of the second textile element; a light-permeable layer between the two textile elements and capable of elastically deforming in order to enable a closing together of the two textile elements when an effort is applied to said pressure sensor.

6. Pressure sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one light source arranged facing one end of the bundle of optical fibers of said other group and allowing the emission of a light signal inside of said bundle.

7. Pressure sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that the light permeable layer is formed by a foam sheet.

8. Pressure sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that the light permeable layer is formed by binding threads belonging to the at least one of the two textile webs.

9. Pressure sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that the light permeable layer is a 3D knitted layer.

10. Pressure sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that the light source emits non-visible light beams.

11. Detection system for generating an electrical signal representative of a variation in light intensity, characterized in that it comprises: a textile element comprising a plurality of optical fibers comprising on their peripheral surface alterations allowing the lateral emission of light in at least one emission zone and wherein they are sensitive to reflection when an object tends toward contact with said alterations wherein the optical fibers are grouped together at each end into at least one bundle on at least one border of the web; at least one photosensitive element arranged facing an end of the bundle of optical fibers positioned at a second border of the textile web, wherein said photosensitive element allow to generate an electrical signal as a function of the variation in light intensity transmitted by the optical fibers.

12. Detection system according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises at least one light source arranged facing one end of the bundle of optical fibers positioned at another border of the textile web and allowing the emission of a light signal inside of said optical fibers.

13. Detection system according to claim 12, characterized in that the autonomous light source emits light beams from the non-visible spectrum.

14. Detection system according to claim 2, characterized in that the autonomous light source emits light beams from the non-visible spectrum.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0048] The manner of embodying the invention as well as the resulting advantages, will emerge from the disclosure of the embodiment that follows, given by way of a non-limiting example, supported by the figures wherein:

[0049] FIGS. 1 to 9 schematically represent detection systems capable of generating an electrical signal representative of a variation in light intensity generated by an external source such as a lamp or the sun.

[0050] FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13A and 13B schematically represent detection systems capable of generating an electronic signal representative of a variation in light intensity and wherein the light source is integrated into the same textile web with the capturing means.

[0051] FIGS. 14A, 14B and 15A, 15B schematically represent pressure sensors comprising a capturing system as disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 9.

METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0052] As already stated, the invention relates to a detection system capable of generating an electrical signal representative of a variation in light intensity.

[0053] Such a detection system can be included in different devices or sensors. Thus, as depicted in FIGS. 1 to 9, such detection systems can be used in order to detect a shadow on their surface.

[0054] To do this, and as depicted in FIG. 1, the detection system 1 comprises a textile element, for example a textile web or sheet 2 in this particular embodiment, inside which optical fibers 3 are arranged making it possible to capture the light emitted by an external source such as the sun 12 in at least one light capturing zone 4. Therefore, such optical fibers 3 have alterations on their peripheral surface so as to laterally capture light. The optical fibers 3 belong to a first group and emerge from the textile web 2 at an edge or border 6 to be grouped together into a bundle 5.

[0055] One end 9 of the bundle 5 is then positioned facing a photosensitive element 8 making it possible to convert into electrical energy the beam captured by the optical fibers. The electrical signal can then be transmitted by wire 10 to a control unit 11 in order to then generate a control signal that can be analyzed, or even be used to control motorized means, or even an information display member.

[0056] As depicted in FIG. 2, when an object 13 is interposed between the textile web 2 and the light source 12, a shadow zone is detected by the optical fibers 3 and it is then possible to detect the variation in light intensity generated by the object 13.

[0057] As depicted in FIG. 3, the optical fibers 3 can be grouped together into several bundles 5, 15, 25 of optical fibers and can thus generate different zones for capturing 4, 14, 24 light. These zones are defined using the different bundles 5, 15, 25 of optical fibers and can, as a result, be arranged parallel over the whole surface of the textile web 2. The different bundles emerge from the textile web at an edge 6 and are facing several photosensitive elements 8, 18, 28 which are, themselves, connected to a control unit.

[0058] As depicted in FIG. 4, the optical fibers 3 can be arranged in both warp and/or weft within the textile web 2 which is, in this particular case, a fabric. This particular arrangement then makes it possible to determine the position by abscissa and ordinate of the shadow of an object projected oil the textile web. The bundles of optical fibers 5, 15, 25, thus emerge at a first edge 6 while the bundles of optical fibers 35, 45, 55, emerge at a second edge 16 of the textile web. Such a capturing system may specifically be used to measure the movements of an object on its surface and be inserted into a floor covering making it possible to cover a hall or room through which people pass or move.

[0059] As depicted in FIG. 5, the optical fibers 3 of the textile web 2 can have alterations positioned only at a light capturing zone 4, which has a particular geometric form. In this case, the light capturing zone 4 does not extend over the entirety of the textile web 2 and is therefore localized.

[0060] Likewise, and as depicted in FIG. 6, a textile web 2 can have several light capturing zones 4, 14, 24 delimited by particular shapes corresponding to the position of the alterations generated on the peripheral surface of the optical fibers 3. Thereafter, by using, for example, three bundles of optical fibers 5, 15, 25, it is possible to complete, in this particular case, the analysis of the presence or absence of the shadow of an object at the three light capturing zones 4, 14, 24.

[0061] Thus, as depicted in FIG. 7, by using several bundles of optical fibers emerging from two edges 6, 16 of the textile web 2, it is possible to embody a multitude of light capturing zones 4, 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, delimited by the positioning of the alterations on the optical fibers. Such an embodiment allows notably to embody keyboard type devices, or any control member pre-equipped with keys.

[0062] Finally, in the variation depicted in FIG. 8, it is possible to execute at least two light capturing zones 4, 14 located on the optical fibers emerging from a single edge 6 of the textile web 2. To do this, the textile web 2 can be made by a Jacquard weaving process, wherein it is possible to position the optical fibers at different depths as a function of their connection bundle 5, 15. Thus the optical fibers belonging to the bundle 5 are flush with the capturing zone 4 and can be processed so as to generate alterations only on the optical fibers of these bundles 5. The optical fibers are then positioned at the lower face of the textile web 2 and are not therefore processed at the capturing zone 14. Likewise, the optical fibers belonging to the bundle 15 are then positioned at the upper face of the textile web 2 in the capturing zone 14, then positioned at the lower face of the textile weblayer 2 in the capturing zone 4.

[0063] As depicted in FIG. 9, it is also possible to use photosensitive elements 8, 18 capable of detecting variations in light intensity of each optical fiber belonging to the same bundle 5, 15 positioned at the edge of the textile web 2. In this way, the photosensitive element has a plurality of pixels illuminated by one or more optical fibers and processing by a computerized system 100 then makes it possible to know the exact position of an object on the surface of the textile web 2, in the same way as with the capturing system illustrated in FIG. 4, but with only one bundle 5, 15 of optical fibers at two edges of the textile web.

[0064] As depicted in FIG. 10, a capturing system 20 can also comprise a second group 27 of optical fibers 23 comprisitalterations at their peripheral surface so as to emit light at an emission zone 24. This emission zone 124 is arranged proximate to the capturing zone 4 of the optical fibers 3 of the first group 7.

[0065] Furthermore, a light source 21 which can be autonomous or not, is arranged facing the end 29 of a bundle 105 of optical fibers belonging to the second group 27. As represented, the optical fibers 3, 23 can be arranged parallel to the textile web 22 and emerge at a same edge 26 in order to facilitate their connection with, on one hand, the light source 21 and, on the other hand, the photosensitive element 8.

[0066] Thus, as depicted in FIG. 11, when an object 26 is positioned proximate to or in contact with the textile web 22, the latter reflects the light emitted by the optical fibers 23 and therefore generates a localized increase in the light captured by the optical fibers 3. Therefore, such a detecting system makes it possible to embody a reflective object sensor 26. In fact, certain objects cannot reflect the light emitted by the optical fibers 23 and are therefore not identifiable by the detecting system.

[0067] As depicted in FIG. 12, the detecting system 20 can also have optical fibers having alterations at their periphery for emitting visible light from the textile web 22. This light emitting zone 144 is also arranged in the immediate vicinity of the capturing zone 4 and makes it possible to inform a user that the capturing of the variation of light intensity at the textile web 22 was indeed completed by the photosensitive element 8 and processed by the control unit.

[0068] These illuminating optical fibers also form a group 37 of optical fibers connected as a bundle 65 at the edge 26 of the textile web 22. This bundle 65 is facing another light source generating, for example, light beams within the visible spectrum.

[0069] As depicted in FIG. 13A, the detection system 30 can also be embodied using a textile web 32 wherein the optical fibers 33 make possible both the emitting of light at the alterations and the reflecting of light when an object covers the external surface of the textile web 32. As a result, each end 39, 49 of the optical fibers 33 has a bundle 115, 125 arranged on opposite edges 116, 126. The end 119 of the bundle 115 is facing a light source 121. Furthermore, the end 109 of the bundle 125 is facing a photosensitive element 108 capable of detecting a variation in the light energy transmitted by the optical fibers and optionally reflected by an object at the emitting zone 134 of the optical fibers 33.

[0070] In one variant of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13A, it is possible to replace the light source 121 with another photosensitive element. In this variant, the detection system will thus comprise two photosensitive elements arranged facing ends 39, 49 of optical fibers grouped together in bundles 115, 125. Thus, this system offers the ability to detect environmental light, to localize the light on the textile web, to determine a variation in the light, to determine the presence of an object or the application of a mechanical deformation.

[0071] As depicted in FIG. 13B, the object 36 can notably be formed by a user's finger. Such a finger then makes it possible to mask the alteration 111 of the optical fiber 33 while the alterations 110 and 112 make it possible to emit light to the surroundings.

[0072] As depicted in FIG. 14A, the capturing system 1 can be integrated into the interior of a pressure sensor 200. In this case, a second textile element in the form of a second textile web 202 is arranged parallel to the textile web 2 of the detecting system 1. Such a second textile web 202 comprises optical fibers 203 belonging to another group 207. These optical fibers 203 are capable of emitting light laterally thanks to alterations of the periphery of their surface. At one edge 206, the optical fibers 203 are grouped together in bundles 205 the end 209 of which is facing a light source 221.

[0073] Furthermore, a light permeable layer 210 is positioned against the two textile webs 2, 202 so as to enable a closing up when an effort is applied to the surface of one of the two textile webs. Thus, the pressure sensor 200 is obtained by improving the light transmission when the two textile webs are proximate to each other. As a result, the light permeable layer 210 must have elasticity in order to ensure the return to initial position of the textile web that was displaced. In other variants, the permeable layer can be filled with opaque material, capable of increasing the opacity of the permeable layer when a pressure is exercised on one of the textile webs.

[0074] As depicted in FIG. 14B, this light permeable layer 210 can be formed by a foam sheet with open or closed cells, capable of returning to its resting position when no effort is applied to the surface of the textile web 202. This foam sheet can be independent, or can even be a coating layer of one of the two textile webs 2, 202.

[0075] Furthermore, and as depicted in FIG. 15A, the translucent light permeable layer 220 can be formed by binding threads 230 belonging to at least one of the two webs 2, 202.

[0076] As depicted in FIG. 15B, a gap 231 is defined between two binding threads 230 in order to allow bringing closer the two textile webs 2, 202 when an effort is applied. This spacing can, for example, be executed by 3D weaving or knitting using ancillary threads or binding threads of the optical fibers.

[0077] It results from the above that a capturing system and a pressure sensor according to this invention have many advantages, and in particular: [0078] they allow to facilitate the manufacture of capturing devices by automatically generating, as in weaving, a large capturing zone; [0079] they are, therefore, especially adapted to environments with large surfaces [0080] they can be provided in diverse shapes and have an optical capturing interface remoted from the electrical conversion system, for example of several meters distant, the optical capturing surface being furthermore able to be custom-cut. [0081] They provide the ability through the same media to combine the functions of detection and visual notification of this detection, whereupon the sensor illuminates when the information is transmitted.