All-fabric intelligent temperature regulation system for smart clothing applications

Abstract

The state-of-the-art in the field of smart interactive textiles is to develop a pure textile with smart electronics (all-fabric electronics). This article reports the production and testing of a temperature sensing and heating textile which consistently maintains a certain targeted temperature in order to provide optimal thermal comfort in everyday wear regardless of the internal microclimate and external climate conditions as well as the voltage level of the battery. The design and fabrication method of the robust, reliable, flexible, light, highly breathable, and simply constructed smart textile with dual functionality of temperature sensing and heating was explored with a metal composite embroidery yarn. The feasibility of the temperature regulating system based on the power on-off switching method referencing real-time temperature measured from the correlation between resistance and temperature of the heating metal composite embroidery yarn textile was shown. A uniform temperature distribution, a quick adjustment to a newly set temperature, and effective maintaining of a set temperature were identified. Many potential customized designs for smart garments will be possible in a wide range of fabric size, heating area, and different temperature requirement.