TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to smart textiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system of connecting electronic components to electrically conductive textiles.

BACKGROUND

Smart textiles are a fabric based system of materials and structures that sense and react to environmental conditions or stimuli, such as those from mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, magnetic or other sources. Smart textiles can react or adapt to external stimuli or changing environmental conditions. The stimuli can include changes in temperature, moisture, pH, chemical sources, electric or magnetic fields, mechanical stress or strain.

Advanced smart textiles can have embedded computing, digital components, electronics, energy supply, and sensors. Basic components of smart textiles include sensors, actuators, data transmission and electrical power. When challenging functionality, size, cost, reliability, comfort and aesthetic/requirements are considered, there is an unmet need to seamlessly integrate electronic components into the manufacturing of the textiles. Further, electrical connections between electrically conductive circuits of the textiles (e.g. conductive fibres, wires, etc, of the textile substrate) with electronic components, such as power sources and computational components (e.g. processor, memory, etc.) require adaptable and/or reliable connection to the textiles.

Furthermore, textile manufacturing and electronics manufacturing use vastly different manufacturing infrastructures, utilizing highly dissimilar assembly equipment, materials and processes.

Hence, there is an urgent requirement for materials and manufacturing methods which can easily integrate the interconnection of electronics devices or electronics modules into textile based substrates.

SUMMARY

Provides is a method and system for docking to obviate or mitigate at least one of the above presented disadvantages.

A first aspect provided is a docking station assembly for providing a releasably secure connection between an electronic controller device and one or more conductive pathways of a textile substrate comprising: a module dock station having a body fixedly connected to a substrate assembly mounted on the textile substrate, the body exposing an electrical dock connector configured for mating with an electrical controller connector of the electronic controller device; the substrate assembly comprising: a first substrate positioned to one side of the textile substrate, such that one or more first electrical connection locations of the first substrate are aligned with the one or more conductive pathways, the first substrate having the electrical controller connector mounted thereon and electrically connected to the one or more first electrical connection locations by one or more respective substrate conductive pathways; a second substrate positioned on the other side of the textile substrate opposite the one side, the second substrate having one or more second electrical connection locations aligned with the one or more first electrical connection locations; and one or more respective fasteners fastening the one or more second electrical connection locations with the one or more first electrical connection locations, thus fixedly securing the textile substrate between the first substrate and the second substrate; wherein the one or more first electrical connection locations are in electrical contact with the adjacent one or more conductive pathways.

Provided is an apparatus and method to reliably attach an electronic module to a textile. The electronic module, comprises a printed circuit board (PCB), comprising at least one conductive circuit and at least one electronic component; a mechanically and electrically connection to the textile substrate; and the textile substrate with at least one electrically conductive circuit.

Optionally a rigid case to cover the PCB and electronic components on the PCB, and, optionally, a pocket to hold the rigid case, preferably knitted directly into the textile substrate. Finally, in a third optional embodiment, a magnet system to inhibit the module from moving within the pocket.

