Flat Knitted Sensory Work Glove for Process Monitoring and Quality Assurance

Flat knitted data gloves can be used as an assistance system for the detection of touches and gripping forces in logistics and production processes. By being able to determine, whether an action was carried out in accordance with the specifications, errors can be reduced, efficiency increased, and process documentation facilitated. This work focuses on the development and characterization of knitted sensor structures, which can be integrated during the production process of a completely knitted work glove. Compared to the integration of conventional rigid sensors into textiles, a fully textile sensor has advantages in terms of elasticity, breathability, draping properties, and flexible design. As it is a single step production process there is a high potential for very low production costs. Gripping forces, biomechanical requirements as well as knitting requirements were defined. Yarn material was fabricated for both the electrodes and the sensory functional layer. Different sensors were then manufactured and subsequently evaluated in regards to electromechanical properties such as sensor sensitivity and reproducibility of the sensor signal. Since the glove is stretched differently when worn, the behavior towards stretching was investigated. When subjected to dynamic forces while pre-stressed by different tensile forces, a clear distinction between loaded and unloaded states is possible.