Suggestion of Smart Clothing Integrating Auxetic Structured Electrode for Next Generation

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K02343
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08030:Family and consumer sciences, and culture and living-related
• Research Institution: Shinshu University
• Principal Investigator: Kanai Hiroyuki 信州大学, 学術研究院繊維学系, 教授 (60362109)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: スマートテキスタイル / 生理的機能量計測 / 心電図 / 装具 / 動作適応型電極 / オーセチック構造 / 接触圧力

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Our research group has been working on research on "smart clothing and heat stroke prediction and its management system". The technical problem that the heart rate detection performance of the smart clothing currently on the market has not reached the required level for highly accurate prediction of heat stroke is pointed out.
In this study, we investigated the optimal placement of the electrodes which are made of conductive fabric on the garment, through the measurement of the body surface electrogram. Moreover, we developed an Auxetic structural electrode with a mechanism that expands in the vertical direction (skin direction) by stretching the wear due to wearer's body motion. The implementation of the electrode into clothing was proposed as a next-generation smart wear.

Free Research Field

感覚計測工学、繊維工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

仕事中に熱中症を罹患するリスクが高い職種には，屋外作業を伴う建設業や運送業がある．これらの業界では，スマート衣料等を介した生体情報のモニタリングを通じて，熱中症リスクを通知するシステムが積極的に導入されている．一方，動作中において心拍検出率が70%に達せずに熱中症リスクを予測し得る心拍検出性能の要求レベルを満たさないケースが散見されること，圧迫感の着心地の改善に対する要求が多いこと等の課題が見出されている．
本研究の成果は，衣服による締付け力（フープテンション）を低減して圧迫感を低下させつつ，心拍検出率の低下を防ぐことを目指して電極部の構造と配置の最適設計法について検討し，効果検証を行った．