The invention relates to the field of detection systems interpreting variations in light intensity and allowing an electrical signal to be generated that is representative of these variations. Such detection systems can also allow the collection of solar energy at a surface and then its transmission in order to be converted into electrical energy.
The invention also relates to the field of pressure sensors. A pressing force exercised at the surface of such sensors can be detected and allow a control signal of an ancillary member to be generated. More specifically, the invention targets pressure sensors integrating detection systems allowing the generation of an electrical signal representative of a variation in light intensity.
In general, detection systems capable of generating an electrical signal representative of a variation of light intensity, comprise a photosensitive element capable of transforming solar energy into electrical energy.
Certain detection systems can specifically integrate optical fibers each positioned in a cavity adjusted to the dimensions of the optical fiber. Deformations of the optical fiber cause a variation in the transmitted light intensity. In this case, it is possible to equip one of the ends of the optical fiber with a light source, and the other end of the optical fiber with a photosensitive element. Such a device type then forms a pressure sensor as disclosed specifically in document FR-2 672 681.
However, this type of device is complicated to embody and only allows identifying the intensity of an effort on the surface of this sensor. Therefore, it does not allow locating the exact position the application of the effort on the surface of the sensor.
In order to overcome this disadvantage, document WO 00/73982 envisions and describes positioning two sections of optical fibers, in parallel, inside a cavity adjusted to the dimensions of the two sections of optical fibers. A first section of optical fiber is connected to a light source while the other section of optical fiber is connected to a photosensitive element. In this case, the pressure of a user's finger proximate to the free ends of the sections of optical fibers makes it possible to bring these ends close together and to thus increase the amount of energy transmitted between the first section and the second section.
However, this type of sensor is complicated to manufacture and requires the manual positioning of the various fibers inside cavities. Thus, such a device is not suitable for generating a significant number of distinct capturing zones, as well as zones of large dimensions and, specifically, greater than one square meter.
Thus, a purpose of the invention is to facilitate the manufacture of detecting systems, of sensors, specifically of pressure sensors, comprising optical fibers and capable of generating an electrical signal representative of a variation in light intensity.
Therefore, the invention concerns a detection system capable of generating an electrical signal representative of a variation in light intensity.
It s characterized in that it consists of:
In other words, the optical fibers are arranged inside a textile element which may have ancillary threads allowing to secure optical fibers in a predetermined position in relation to each other. In this way, the optical fibers can be arranged substantially parallel to each other and to present a cohesion facilitating their handling, as well as their positioning in an ancillary device wherein the detection system can be positioned.
Furthermore, the optical fibers comprise alterations which may consist of roughening of the outer surface of each one of the fibers. These alterations can also be made by incisions allowing the transmitting to the interior of the optical fibers of a light beam, natural or artificial, occurring at the peripheral surface of the optical fibers. It is also possible to generate the alterations by a thermal or chemical treatment applied to the optical fibers.
The optical fibers are then grouped together into at least one bundle at one border of the textile element so that the ends of the optical fibers can be arranged facing a photosensitive element, for example a photodiode. The light captured by the lateral surface of the optical fibers is therefore transmitted from at least one of their ends to the photosensitive element.
According to one variant, this photosensitive element can be a photovoltaic cell. Thus, it is possible to embody photovoltaic systems integrating one or more of these textile elements for the production of electricity.
In practice, all or part of the optical fibers of the textile element can be covered with a coating layer of a material with adaptive optical properties, specifically as a function of the ambient environment. For example, it is possible to choose materials having the capacity to change coloration (color, opacity, transparency . . . ) under the effect of a stimulus (light, temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.). Thus, it is, for example, possible to embody detecting devices that vary with the ambient environment, such as, for example, a meteorological variation.
According to a specific embodiment, the textile element may comprise a second group of optical fibers including on their peripheral surface alterations allowing the lateral emission of light in at least one emission zone arranged in immediate proximity of 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 textile element. The detection system may, additionally, comprise at least one light source arranged facing the ends of the bundle of optical fibers of the second group and allowing the emission of a light signal inside of the bundle. The detecting system may also be coupled to an external light source.
In other words, the textile element comprises two groups of optical fibers, one allowing the lateral emission of light and the other allowing the capture of the emitted light.
One possible application of such a detecting system may be the detection of presence. Thus, when a user positions an object, or a part of his body, in contact with, or in immediate proximity to, the detecting system, light is reflected on the object, then captured by the first group of optical fibers. This reflection of light therefore generates a variation in light intensity captured by the first group of optical fibers.
To do this, the light source may use a type of light beam presenting a predetermined wave length and, as a result, it may not be influenced by external radiation such as solar radiation or the radiation generated notably by the lighting means of a room.
It is also possible to envision the use of such a textile element for the manufacturing of a wireless communications system known by the acronym LiFi (acronym for “Light Fidelity”) based on the use of visible light. The principle of LiFi relies on the coding and sending of data via amplitude or frequency modulation of light sources according to a well-defined and standardized protocol. Thus, it is possible to send and/or receive data via capturing and emission zones arranged in the textile element.
In practice, the textile element can be a fabric having, in warp and/or in weft, optical fibers from the first group of binding threads arranged in warp and/or in weft.
Thus, the optical fibers are woven with binding threads which make it possible to hold the optical fibers in position in relation to each other within the textile element. According to one variant, all or part of the binding threads may be elastic.
Advantageously, the fabric may comprise the optical fibers of the second group in warp and/or in weft. In this case, it is possible to position, in parallel and alternatively, an optical fiber of the first group alongside of an optical fiber of the second group, and this throughout the surface of the fabric.
The invention also relates to a pressure sensor comprising a detection system as previously disclosed and:
Advantageously, the pressure sensor may be coupled to an external light source or can integrate an internal light source. Thus, according to one embodiment, the pressure sensor may also comprise at least one light source arranged facing one end of the bundle of optical fibers of the other group and allowing the emission of a light signal inside the bundle.
In other words, such a pressure sensor comprises both a detection system having a first textile element integrating a first group of optical fibers to capture light, and a second textile element integrating another group of optical fibers to emit light to inside the pressure sensor. Preferably, the first textile element, the permeable layer and the second textile element are arranged in layers, wherein the permeable layer is positioned between the two textile elements and has elasticity properties so as to allow the return to position of the textile element that is displaced once the effort is removed. Thus, when a person or an object exercises an effort on the surface of the pressure sensor, the latter brings the two textile elements closer together and thus improves light transmission. This then causes an increase in light intensity sensed by the photosensitive element arranged at the end of the optical fibers of the first group.
The degree of transparency or opacity of the permeable layer may specifically, be modulated as a function of the detection precision that it is desired to provide to the system. It is understood, for example, that a translucent layer will allow more light to pass between the two textile elements at the time these two textile elements are brought closer to each other resulting from pressure exercised on one of these textile elements.
For example, it is possible to use a permeable layer of translucent material comprising fillers capable of varying the opacity of the permeable layer as a function of the pressure applied to one of the textile elements, and therefore, to vary the amount of light passing between the two textile elements.
In practice, the light permeable layer can be obtained in different ways and, notably, be constituted by an ancillary material positioned between the two textile elements, or even by an element of one of the textile elements, that is, threads or a coating layer.
Thus, according to a first embodiment, the light-permeable layer can be formed by a foam sheet. In this case, the foam sheet constitutes an independent element inserted between the two textile webs or even a coating layer for one of the two textile elements.
According to a second embodiment, the light-permeable layer can be formed by binding threads belonging to at least one of the two textile elements. These binding threads can, for example, have a diameter greater than that of the optical fibers of the first and/or the other group.
According to a third embodiment, the permeable layer can be obtained by three-dimensional OD) knitting or weaving which makes it possible to connect the two textile elements and to create an air-filled hollow gap between two binding threads that are remote from each other. The upper textile element, namely, the one intended to have an effort applied to it, is therefore capable of moving toward the inside of the air-filled gap arranged between the two binding threads. The 3D knitting or weaving can be done using ancillary threads or by directly using all or part of the binding threads for the optical fibers.
According to a particular embodiment, the light source can emit within or outside of the visible spectrum, for example, infrared light beams, so that solar radiation, as well as radiation from an indoor light, does not influence the variation of light intensity detected by the photosensitive element.
The invention also relates to another type of detection system capable of generating an electrical signal representative of a variation in light intensity.
In this case, it is characterized in that it comprises:
The detecting system may further comprise at least one light source arranged facing one end of the bundle of optical fibers positioned at a first border of the textile element and allowing the emission of a light signal inside of said optical fibers. The detecting system may also be coupled to an external light source.
In other words, the alterations made to the optical fibers al low both the emission of light at the emission zone, but also the reflecting of light when an object is positioned in contact with, or in proximity to, the optical fibers so as to locally mask the emission zone. Thus, when an object masks a part of the emission zone of the fibers, the light intensity sensed by the photosensitive element is greater than when no object reflects the emitted light.
In the same way as previously, the autonomous light source can emit within or outside of the visible spectrum, for example infrared light beams, in order to render the detecting system insensitive to external light such as sunlight or that from artificial lighting.
In the same way as previously, the textile element can be a fabric having in the warp and/or the weft optical fibers of the first group and binding threads arranged in the warp and/or in weft. In addition, all or part of the binding threads can be elastic. Furthermore, the optical fibers can also be coated by a coating layer in a material with adaptive optical properties.
Of course, for all of the embodiments presented previously, the arrangement of the set of optical fibers will depend on the chosen application. Thus, a large number of configurations can be foreseen, such as, for example, an arrangement in a matrix of emission and/or capturing zones, or even according to a particular design.
In practice, the textile element comprising the fibers can have different forms, for example, the form of a textile web, or any textile element obtained for example by a weaving, knitting, embroidery, braiding, etc. method, and optionally shaped so as to form a 3D structure. Such a 31) structure can for example be in the form of a cylinder thus forming a light guide.
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:
As already stated, the invention relates to a detection system capable of generating an electrical signal representative of a variation in light intensity.
Such a detection system can be included in different devices or sensors. Thus, as depicted in
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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It results from the above that a capturing system and a pressure sensor according to this invention have many advantages, and in particular:
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1755382 | Jun 2017 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/FR2018/051398 | 6/13/2018 | WO | 00 |