Electronic textiles, or smart textiles, is a field that is growing due to the opportunities it provides. Textile integrated electronics enables soft, flexible, lightweight electronic devices that enable long term monitoring within the medical field. Pressure sensors is one device within this field that has been researched. A textile integrated pressure sensor enables monitoring of heart rate, muscle activity, posture, gait phases and finger movements. In this project a resistive pressure sensor has been produced using embroidery with the purpose of investigating how construction and design parameters influence the resistance-pressure relationship. The study consisted in different phases where in Phase I parameters such as fabric substrate, stitch length and yarn type was examined. Phase II investigated design parameters like electrode pattern design, sensor shape, trace distance and size. In the design phase a new electrode pattern and sensor shape was tested. Finally in Phase III a sensor matix and sensor chain was constructed in order to evaluate the possibility of obtaining touch location. The findings in this study showed that the shape, size and yarn type had the most distinct influence on the sensor performance in regards to the resistance-pressure relationship. In an additional recovery test the results indicated that both textile substrate and stitch length could influence the ability to recover to its original shape after applying cyclic pressure. It was also found that the new pattern design performed equally to the conventional pattern designs and at the same time reduced material consumption as well as the embroidery time. The sensor matrix and sensor chain could display a change in resistance when applying a weight at each sensing element, implying that touch location could be detected, but would need further development in construction before potential implementation.

L'objectif principal de ce travail est l'étude de la résistance au lavage des connections faites par fils électriques développées pour la réalisation de textiles intelligents. Cette étude est basée sur l'utilisation de trois différents fils électriques par la technique de broderie ; deux différents fils métalliques (M-1& M-2) et un fil enduit par de l'argent (S.C). Les échantillons ont été préparés en utilisant une machine industrielle de broderie et en utilisant un point de type 300, plus précisément un point 302 (zigzag) en faisant varié l'intervalle entre deux points successifs (1,2 et 3rnm). Ces échantillons devant pouvoir s'intégrer au sein d'un vêtement, leur« confectionnabilité »a été testés au travers des tests KES (Kawabata Evaluation System) en se concentrant sur les propriétés de flexion et de cisaillement de l'étoffe ainsi « instrumenté » conformément aux recommandations trouvées dans la littérature. Cette étude a été menée sur les échantillons initiaux mais aussi sur les échantillons ayant subis 1, 5 et 10 lavages. En parallèle avec ces caractérisations mécaniques, une étude électrique de ces derniers a été entreprise. Ont été testées, l'impédance de la connexion et aussi sa réponse en fréquence (de 100Hz à 11Mhz). L'analyse des résultats a mis en évidence un comportement en transmission du signal de type «second ordre », avec une évolution de la fréquence propre du filtre ainsi constitué vers les fréquences plus basses. Tous les échantillons ont ensuite été soumis à un lavage. Ces tests ont été répétés après chaque lavage jusqu'au 10ème. A partir des résultats obtenus nous avons pu établir un modèle de comportement et mettre en évidence une complexification du réseau de connexion surtout dans le cas des fils métalliques utilisés. Toutes ces expériences et modèles proposés, nous ont permis de conclure quant au potentiel important de ces types de technique de connexion et de proposer une série d'extension de ces travaux dans le cadre de travaux futur. / Main objective of this work is to study the washing behavior of textile based connections developed by using conductive threads. Two metallic threads (M-l & M-2) and one silver coated thread (S.C) have been used to make samples. The samples have been fabricated with different numbers of stitches per cm by using these conductive threads. After several tests it has been concluded to use the metallic thread in the bobbin of Jock stitch machine or embroidery machine. Embroidery machine has been used to make the samples. The embroidery has been done with zigzag stitch and samples were made. Three different distances between two consecutive stitches have been used that are 1mm, 2mm and 3mm. Samples have been characterized for mechanical (shear & bending) properties, using a KAWABATA testing instrument. Considerable differences have been observed among three types of threads. Graphical representation made it easy to highlight the behavioural aspects of each type. Then at other series of samples have been produced having different stitch densities. These samples then analyzed for electric properties by using mulitmeter, teraohm meter. Samples were also analyzed for signal transmission properties with the help of a frequency generator and an oscilloscope. The attenuation and phase angles were calculated at different frequencies ranging from 100Hz to 11MHz. Very interesting behaviour of the circuits have been observed and discussed in detail. AIL the samples are then subjected to washing and were again tested for all properties (shearing, bending, electric, and signal transmission).The tests have been repeated after each wash and observed the changes. In the final part of thesis all the results have been discussed, reasons have been identified and conclusion has been made.