KR20110109717A

KR20110109717A - Smart fabric

Info

Publication number: KR20110109717A
Application number: KR1020100029563A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 박성미; 정경희
Original assignee: 코오롱글로텍주식회사
Priority date: 2010-03-31
Filing date: 2010-03-31
Publication date: 2011-10-06

Abstract

In the smart fabric, the fabric layer formed of synthetic fibers, recycled fibers or natural fibers; Heating portion of the pre-designed form on the surface of the fabric layer; And a conductive part electrically connected to the heating part and exposed to the back surface of the fabric layer.

Description

Smart Fabric {SMART FABRIC}

The present invention relates to a smart fabric, and more particularly, to the structure of the fabric capable of multi-function expression in the conductive fabric.

Smart Wear is a new product designed to use digital functions anytime and anywhere by applying new signal transmission fiber technology and embedding various digital devices in textile fashion products. In other words, it is a new type of clothing that is equipped with digital functions necessary for maintaining the properties of textiles or clothing in textile materials and clothing. For this reason, it must transmit digital signals while showing the feel and properties similar to that of ordinary fabrics. Thus, a new concept of clothing that combines the functionality of the materials (Hifunction materials properties) that the fibers or clothing itself senses external stimuli and responds to itself and the digitalized properties that the clothing and the fabric itself do not have.

Smart Wear, which has been developed for military use in the United States and Europe since the mid-1990s, is currently being actively developed in clothing and medical fields.

In particular, smart materials using printing electronic technology may be used in various military textile products of a wearable computer.

When printed electronic technology is used as an interconnection method for connecting conductive fibers, fabrics, and various parts that have clothing and electrical properties in smart materials, the application value is high because fabric-based electronic circuit design is possible. .

For example, if printed electronics are applied to military uniforms, there is a possibility of weight reduction and volume reduction, thereby enabling the development of military uniforms integrating the healing function and communication function. In modern warfare-oriented warfare, soldiers must carry more than 45kg of equipment when fully armed, so the development of this technology is urgently required.

Recently, the heating element researched for manufacturing smart wear has a function of automatically generating heat by measuring external environment and body temperature such as temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet light. However, there is an increasing demand for a more comfortable fit and durability to avoid problems in washing.

Therefore, it is required to develop flexible printed fabric circuit board (FPFCB) technology and product development through the development and application of electrically conductive materials.

In other words, as a fabric development technology capable of data transmission by printing an electrically conductive material on the fabric, the development of durable electrically conductive material, the development of technology capable of printing a conductive material on the fabric, the development of fabric-based circuit construction technology, the printed conductivity There is a need to develop post-processing techniques to maintain and improve the performance of materials.

In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a smart fabric that can form a heating portion is possible to form a circuit on the fabric without limiting the dynamic wearability.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a structure of a smart fabric that can use one or more electronic devices without a separate wiring structure with a heat generating structure.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a structure of a smart fabric that can realize one or more electronic devices directly on the fabric.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a smart fabric, comprising: a fabric layer formed of synthetic fibers, regenerated fibers or natural fibers; Heating portion of the pre-designed form on the surface of the fabric layer; And a conductive part electrically connected to the heating part and exposed to the back surface of the fabric layer.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a smart fabric is further equipped with an electronic device in the conductive portion.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a smart fabric is further formed through holes in the fabric layer to form the conductive portion.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a smart fabric, characterized in that it further comprises a primer layer formed for the surface uniformity of the fabric layer between the fabric layer and the heating portion.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a smart fabric, characterized in that the primer layer is formed in a multi-layer structure with a water repellent layer.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a smart fabric, characterized in that the conductive portion in contact with the heating at two or more points.

As described above, the smart fabric according to the present invention can freely generate heat and conduct a conductive pattern, thereby ensuring heat generation while ensuring various dynamic wearability.

In addition, the smart fabric according to the present invention is capable of designing the circuit regardless of bending or folding due to the elasticity, flexibility, and flex resistance, which is a characteristic of the fabric, and there is an extremely low effect of circuit damage such as disconnection.

In addition, the smart fabric according to the present invention has the effect of actively expressing the heating function while retaining the function as a fabric (clothing), such as coatability, comfort, moisture-permeable waterproof.

In addition, the smart fabric according to the present invention has the advantage that it is possible to mount the electric device together, as well as not to form a separate electric conduction means for driving the device.

1 and 2 is a cross-sectional view of a smart fabric in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First of all, it should be noted that in the drawings, the same components or parts denote the same reference numerals as much as possible. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related well-known functions or configurations are omitted in order not to obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

The terms "about "," substantially ", etc. used to the extent that they are used herein are intended to be taken to mean an approximation of, or approximation to, the numerical values of manufacturing and material tolerances inherent in the meanings mentioned, Accurate or absolute numbers are used to help prevent unauthorized exploitation by unauthorized intruders of the referenced disclosure.

As used herein, the term "fabric" is used to include all articles, nonwoven fabrics and fibrous webs produced by weaving or knitting.

In addition, the electronic device used in the present specification is used as a term that includes all the devices, machines, etc. for generating, accumulating, and consuming electricity. For example, the electronic device may be a solar heat collecting plate, a battery, a sensor, or the like.

1 to 2 show a cross-sectional view of the fabric according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the smart fabric 10 according to the present invention may be formed of the fabric layer 100, the heating unit 200, and the conductive unit 300.

In the fabric according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fabric layer 100 may be any type of fabric, knitted fabric, nonwoven fabric or fibrous web. It can be applied without limitation to the material and the forming method. For example, it may be made of synthetic fibers such as polyester / polyamide / polyurethane, cellulose regenerated fibers such as rayon / acetate, and natural fibers such as cotton / wool /.

The fabric layer 100 is microscopically very uneven in its surface, and there are extremely many fine pores due to the gap between the fibers. Therefore, to ensure the uniformity of the surface and to be described later, the heating portion is formed in a uniform thickness, the upper portion of the fabric layer 100 in order to prevent the material forming the heating portion, etc. from penetrating the back surface of the fabric layer 100 A primer layer may be formed thereon. However, the primer layer may be selectively formed on the fabric and may be excluded according to the characteristics of the fabric.

The primer layer may be one or more selected from the group consisting of polyurethane resins, acrylic resins, silicone resins, and the like.

Meanwhile, the primer layer according to the present invention may be formed of a single layer made of the above material, and may be formed in a multilayer structure together with a water repellent layer (not shown). The water repellent layer may be performed by a general water repellent process, and may be made of a fluorine or silicon material as a non-limiting example. When the water repellent layer is formed, the heating part may be formed on the surface and / or the rear surface to be formed. In this case, the resin component constituting the heating unit has an advantage of preventing the phenomenon of seeping into the fabric in the manufacturing process.

The heating unit 200 may be formed on the primer layer or on the top of the fabric layer. The heating unit 200 may be formed by applying a conductive material or a mixture of a conductive material and a binder in a pre-designed form. The conductive material may be polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, etc. as a polymer, and conductive carbon Blacks may be mixed. It may also be selected from one or more of the group consisting of carbon, silver, gold, platinum, palladium, copper, aluminum, tin, iron and nickel.

Meanwhile, the conductive part 300 may be electrically connected to the heating part 200 and exposed on the back surface of the distal layer 100. The conductive part 300 may penetrate into the distal end layer 100 to be electrically connected to the heating part 200. In this case, a separate through hole may be formed in the fabric layer 100 to form the conductive portion 300, but the conductive portion 300 may be formed without the through hole according to the characteristics of the fabric. In addition, the conductive part 300 may be electrically connected to the heating part and exposed to a degree without a separate thickness on the back surface of the fabric layer, or may be in a form substantially exposed to the back surface of the fabric layer as shown in FIG. 1.

The material constituting the conductive part may be a conductive polymer, a carbon material such as carbon, silver, or a mixture of the material and a binder. Specifically, the conductive film is dispersed in a vehicle, and the cured film after printing may have conductivity. It refers to the material to be displayed, and is commonly used for LCD electrode printing, touch screen printing, energizing pattern printing of circuit boards, contact portions and pattern printing of thin film switch plates, and electromagnetic shielding. The conductive filler is preferably silver based among conductive metals (silver, gold, platinum, palladium, copper, nickel, and the like).

The binder material of the conductive part may be one or more selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane resin, an acrylic resin, a silicone resin, a melamine resin, and an epoxy resin.

On the other hand, the metal material and the binder is preferably mixed at a ratio of 90:10 to 80:20 (by weight), but the binder has a problem that the conduction function is lowered when the binder exceeds the above range and the adhesive force is lowered when the binder is below the above range. There is a disadvantage.

When the thickness of the heating unit 200 is preferably 2 to 500 μm, there is a problem that it is difficult to secure the uniformity of the thickness when the thickness is less than the range, and when the thickness exceeds the range, the resistance value is lowered under the same voltage, resulting in a current value. Increases and eventually power consumption increases.

An insulating layer (not shown) may be formed on the heating part 200 and / or the conductive part 300. The insulating layer may be formed by coating, printing or laminating at least one selected from the group consisting of polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin, polyester resin, PVC resin and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin to form an insulation layer. have. The insulating layer prevents damage such as cracks in the conductive part, provides flexibility to the fabric, and performs waterproof or waterproof function.

2 illustrates an example in which the electronic device 20 is formed on the conductive part 300. The conductive part 300 is formed on the back surface of the fabric on which the heating part 200 is formed and is electrically connected to the conductive part 300. The connected electronic device 20 may be further formed. An example of the electronic device may be a sensor, in which case the sensor may be a temperature sensor and control the amount of heat generated by the heating unit. In the structure of the present invention, the electronic device can be driven without the need for a separate electrical connection means, for example, a conductor, for the electronic device.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. It will be clear to those who have knowledge of.

In particular, in describing the present invention, only the example applied to the smart clothing is described. However, the smart fabric according to the present invention can be applied as a circuit board or a component of an electronic device.

10: heating fabric 100: fabric layer
200: heating unit 300: conductive unit

Claims

In smart fabric,
A fabric layer formed of synthetic fibers, regenerated fibers or natural fibers;
Heating portion of the pre-designed form on the surface of the fabric layer; And
Smart fabric comprising a conductive portion electrically connected to the heating portion and exposed to the back of the fabric layer.

The method of claim 1,
The smart fabric is further equipped with an electronic device in the conductive portion.

The method of claim 1,
Smart fabric is further formed through holes in the fabric layer to form the conductive portion.

The method of claim 1,
Smart fabric, characterized in that it further comprises a primer layer formed for the surface uniformity of the fabric layer between the fabric layer and the heating portion.

The method of claim 4, wherein
The primer layer is smart fabric, characterized in that formed in a multi-layer structure with a water repellent layer.

The method of claim 1,
The conductive fabric is characterized in that the contact with the heating portion at two or more points.