Modeling of surface temperature distributions on powered e-textile structures using an artificial neural network

An artificial neural network (ANN) model is constructed to derive the surface temperature of e-textile structures developed for cold weather clothing. A series of textile transmission lines made of different types of conductive yarns, insulated by using different types of seam tapes, were enclosed in a thermoplastic textile structure via hot air welding technology, and then they were powered with different levels of specific voltages in order to obtain different heating levels. The surface temperatures of the powered e-textile structures were measured using a thermal camera. The experimental input variables, sample type, temperature, feeding speed, resistance of samples, applied voltage and current were used to construct an ANN model and the outputs of surface temperature and electric power dissipated were used to test the prediction performance of the developed model. It was concluded that the ANN provided substantial predictive performance. Simulations based on the developed ANN model can estimate the surface temperature distributions of powered e-textile structures under different conditions. The ANN model developed for prediction of electric power dissipated was very successful and can be useful for e-textile product designers as well as textile manufacturers, particularly for cold weather protection products such as jackets, gloves and outdoor sleeping mats.