Structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric, and in particular to a structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric that features both resiliency and electrical conductivity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As shown in Figure 1, a conventional detection element 1 for physiological examination comprises a base layer 10 and an electrically conductive layer 11 formed on the base layer 10. To use, the electrically conductive layer is attached to human skin surface to detect a signal generated by the human body. However, the electrically conductive layer 11 of such a detection element 1 is generally of poor resiliency and has poor electrical conductivity with human skin making it difficult to detect the signal generated by the human body and also making wear uncomfortable. As shown in Figure 2, an improvement is made such that a resilient layer 12 is arranged between the electrically conductive layer 11 and the base layer 10 so that contact tightness between the electrically conductive layer 11 and human skin can be improved with the resilient layer 12. Further, a moisture-retaining material is also included in the layer to make the layer also function moisture retaining thereby improving electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive layer 11. However, since the resilient layer 12 and the electrically conductive layer 11 are two separate layers, moisture must penetrate through the electrically conductive layer 11 before being absorbed by the resilient layer 12. Consequently, the absorbability of moisture is affected. When the resilient layer 12 releases water between the electrically conductive layer 11 and human skin, the release of water is also affected by being blocked by the electrically conductive layer 11. Further, since the resilient layer 12 and the electrically conductive layer 11 are two separate layers that are bonded to each other by an external force (such as adhesion). These layers are easily detached from each other due to the high humidity long maintained by the resilient layer 12, making the detection element 1 losing its function.

[0003] US 6 755 052 B1 discloses a knitted stretch spacer material with a face surface and a back surface in spaced apart relation with a body portion constructed therebetween. However, the material has no possibility to measure an electrical signal from a human body.

[0004] WO 01/02052 A2 discloses a garment which can be used as an electrode. However, as there are only several elastic zones localized in the garment the resiliency is not very high.

[0005] In view of this problem, the present invention aims to provide a structure that possesses the characteristics of resiliency, electrical conduction, and moisture retention in order to achieve the goal of improving electrical conduction and lifespan of product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric that is formed through being unitarily knitted and features resiliency and electrical conductivity.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric that features moisture retention.

[0008] To realize the above objects, the present invention provides a structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric, according to claim 1.

[0009] In the above-discussed structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric, the first structural yarns and the second structural yarns are each one of polyester yarn, porous fiber yarn, alginate fiber yarn, carboxymethyl cellulose fiber yarn, and rayon fiber yarn.

[0010] In the above-discussed structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric, the electrically conductive yarns are one of metal fiber yarn, carbon nanotube fiber yarn, and carbon fiber yarn.

[0011] In the above-discussed structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric, the first elastic yarns and the second elastic yarns are each spandex yarn.

[0012] In the above-discussed structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric, the first support yarns and the second support yarns are each one of polyester yarn and nylon yarn.

[0013] In the above-discussed structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric, the first structural yarns, the first elastic yarns, and the electrically conductive yarns are arranged and interlaced through knitting to form the resilient conductive tissue.

[0014] In the above-discussed structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric, the second structural yarns and the second elastic yarns are arranged and interlaced through knitting to form the foundation tissue.

[0015] In the above-discussed structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric, the resilient conductive tissue, the foundation tissue, and the support tissue are unitarily combined to form the structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric, in which the same planar tissue features both resiliency and electrical conductivity and also shows an effect of moisture retention through being combined with structural yarns that feature moisture retention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing a conventional detection element for physiological examination;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing a conventional detection element for physiological examination;

Figure 3 is a schematic view showing a structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing, in an enlarged form, a portion of the structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing, in an enlarged form, a portion of the structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] With reference to the drawings and in particular to Figure 3, which is a perspective view showing a structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric according to the present invention, as shown in the drawing, in the instant embodiment, the structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric according to the present invention comprises a resilient conductive tissue 20, a support tissue 30, and a foundation tissue 40, which are knitted unitarily to form the structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric with the support tissue 30 arranged between and connecting the resilient conductive tissue 20 and the foundation tissue 40.

[0018] Referring to Figure 4, which is a perspective view showing, in an enlarged form, a portion of the structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric in accordance with the present invention, as shown in the drawing, the resilient conductive tissue 20 is formed by arranging and interlacing, through proper fabric manufacturing process, a plurality of first structural yarns 200, a plurality of first elastic yarns 201, and a plurality of electrically conductive yarns 202 together. Each of the first structural yarns 200 is combined with each of the first elastic yarns 201 as a strand for being arranged alternately with each of the electrically conductive yarns 202. Further, the first structural yarns 200, the first elastic yarns 201, and the electrically conductive yarns 202 are alternately arranged through knitting to form the resilient conductive tissue 20. The foundation tissue 40 is formed by arranging and interlacing a plurality of second structural yarns 400 and second elastic yarns 401. Each of the second structural yarns 400 and each of the second elastic yarns 401 are arranged together as the same strand. The support tissue 30 is formed of a plurality of first support yarns 300 and a plurality of second support yarns 301 and connects between the resilient conductive tissue 20 and the foundation tissue 40, wherein each of the first support yarns 300 is arranged with each of the first structural yarns 200 and each of the first elastic yarns 201 and subsequently extends to the foundation tissue 40 to be arranged with each of the second structural yarns 400 and each of the second elastic yarns 401. Each of the second support yarns 301 is arranged with each of the electrically conductive yarns 202 and subsequently extends to the foundation tissue 40 to be arranged with each of the second structural yarns 400 and each of the second elastic yarns 401 in a manner of being spaced from the first support yarns. The interlaced arrangement of the first support yarns 300 and the second support yarns 301 provides improved resiliency to the structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric of the present invention, so as to make a wearer comfortable when is used to make a wearable article. Further, the first support yarns 300 and the second support yarns 301 form tiny voids therebetween that help retaining moisture and improving electrical conductivity.

[0019] Referring to Figure 5, which is a cross-sectional view showing, in an enlarged form, a portion of the structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric in accordance with the present invention, as shown in drawing, the resilient conductive tissue 20 is formed by arranging and interlacing a plurality of first structural yarns 200, a plurality of first elastic yarns 201, and a plurality of electrically conductive yarns 202 together. Each of the first structural yarns 200 is combined with each of the first elastic yarns 201 as a strand for being arranged alternately with each of the electrically conductive yarns 202, whereby after the entirety of the structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric is completely arranged when the stretching force of yarns are removed, the first elastic yarns 201 get contracting and squeeze the electrically conductive yarns 202 outward so that the electrically conductive yarns 202 project beyond the surface of the entire resilient conductive tissue 20. This ensures that when the fabric is placed on human body, the electrically conductive yarns 202 get contact with the human body first so that the structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric according to the present invention may provide improved effect of detection.

[0020] The first structural yarns 200 and the second structural yarns 400 can selectively be one of polyester yarn, porous fiber yarn, alginate fiber yarn, carboxymethyl cellulose fiber yarn, and rayon fiber yarn, among which porous fiber yarn, alginate fiber yarn, carboxymethyl cellulose fiber yarn, and rayon fiber yarn have the function of moisture retention. If the first structural yarns 200 and the second structural yarns 400 are selected from these four materials, then the structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric according to the present invention may show the characteristics of resiliency, moisture retention, and electrical conductivity.

[0021] The first elastic yarns 201 and the second elastic yarns 401 can be spandex yarn. The electrically conductive yarns 202 can selectively be one of metal fiber yarn, carbon nanotube fiber yarn, and carbon fiber yarn. The first support yarns 300 and the second support yarns 301 can selectively be one of polyester yarn and nylon yarn.

[0022] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A structure of three-dimensional fabric, comprising:

a resilient tissue (20), which is formed by arranging and interlacing a plurality of first structural yarns (200) and, a plurality of first elastic yarns, a foundation tissue (40), which is formed by arranging and interlacing a plurality of second structural yarns (400) and a plurality of second elastic yarns (401), wherein each of the second structural yarns (400) being arranged with each of the second elastic yarns (401) as a strand; and

a support tissue (30), which is formed of a plurality of first support yarns (300) and a plurality of second support yarns (301) and connects between the resilient tissue (20) and the foundation tissue (40), wherein each of the first support yarns (300) is arranged with each strand of the first structural yarns (200) and the first elastic yarns (201) and extends to each strand of the second structural yarns (400) and the second elastic

yarns (401) arranged in the foundation tissue (40);

the three-dimensional fabric is electrically conductive and

characterized in that the resilient tissue (20) is conductive and comprises a plurality of electrically conductive yarns (202), wherein each of the first structural yarns (200) is combined with each of the first elastic yarns (201) as a strand for being alternately arranged with each of the electrically conductive yarns (202), and

wherein each of the second support yarns (301) is arranged with each of the electrically conductive yarns (202) and extends to each strand of the second structural yarns (400) and the second elastic yarns (401) arranged in the foundation tissue (40) in a manner as being spaced from the first support yarns (300).

2. The structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first structural yarns (200) and the second structural yarns (400) are each one of polyester yarn, porous fiber yarn, alginate fiber yarn, carboxymethyl cellulose fiber yarn, and rayon fiber yarn.

3. The structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive yarns (202) are one of metal fiber yarn, carbon nanotube fiber yarn, and carbon fiber yarn.

4. The structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first elastic yarns (201) and the second elastic yarns (401) are each spandex yarn.

5. The structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first support yarns (300) and the second support yarns (301) are each one of polyester yarn and nylon yarn.

6. The structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first structural yarns (200), the first elastic yarns (201), and the electrically conductive yarns (202) are arranged and interlaced through knitting to form the resilient conductive tissue (20).

7. The structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the second structural yarns (400) and the second elastic yarns (401) are arranged and interlaced through knitting to form the foundation tissue (40).

8. The structure of three-dimensional electrically conductive fabric as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive yarns (202) project beyond a surface of the resilient conductive tissue (20).

Ansprüche

1. Dreidimensionale Gewebeanordnung, umfassend:

eine Elastikschicht (20), die durch Anordnen und Verflechten einer Mehrzahl von ersten Strukturfäden (200) hergestellt ist, und eine Mehrzahl von ersten elastischen Fäden, und eine Grundschicht (40), die durch Anordnen und Verflechten einer Mehrzahl von zweiten Strukturfäden (400) und einer Mehrzahl von zweiten elastischen Fäden (401) ausgebildet ist,

wobei jeder der zweiten Strukturfäden (400) mit jedem der zweiten elastischen Fäden (401) als ein Strang angeordnet ist; und

eine Stützschicht (30), die aus einer Mehrzahl von ersten Stützfäden (300) und einer Mehrzahl von zweiten Stützfäden (301) ausgebildet ist und die Elastikschicht (20) und die Grundschicht (40) verbindet, wobei jeder der ersten Stützfäden (300) mit jedem Strang der ersten Strukturfäden (200) und der ersten elastischen Fäden (201) angeordnet ist und sich zu jedem Strang der zweiten strukturellen Fäden (400) und der zweiten elastischen Fäden (401), die in dem Grundgewebe (40) angeordnet sind, erstreckt;
wobei das dreidimensionale Gewebe elektrisch leitfähig ist,

dadurch gekennzeichnet,

dass die Elastikschicht (20) leitfähig ist und eine Mehrzahl von elektrisch leitfähigen Fäden (202) umfasst, wobei jeder der ersten Strukturfäden (200) mit jedem der ersten elastischen Fäden (201) als ein Strang kombiniert ist, um in versetzter Weise mit jedem der elektrisch leitfähigen Fäden (202) angeordnet zu sein, und

wobei jeder der zweiten Stützfäden (301) mit jedem der elektrisch leitfähigen Fäden (202) angeordnet ist und sich zu jedem Strang der zweiten Strukturfäden (400) erstreckt, und die zweiten elastischen Fäden (401) in der Grundschicht (40) in einer Weise angeordnet sind, dass sie von den ersten Stützfäden (300) beabstandet sind.

2. Dreidimensionale, leitfähige Gewebeanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die ersten Strukturfäden (200) und die zweiten Strukturfäden (400) aus einer Gruppe ausgewählt sind, die Polyestergarn, poröses Fasergarn, Alginat-Fasergarn, Carboboxymethylcellulose-Fasergarn und Rayon-Fasergarn aufweist.

3. Dreidimensionale, leitfähige Gewebeanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die elektrisch leitfähigen Fäden (202) aus einer Gruppe bestehen, die metallisches Fasergarn, Kohlenstoffnanoröhrchen-Fasergarn und Kohlenstoff-Fasergarn aufweist.

4. Dreidimensionale, leitfähige Gewebeanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die ersten elastischen Fäden (201) und die zweiten elastischen Fäden (401) jeweils aus Spandexgarn bestehen.

5. Dreidimensionale, leitfähige Gewebeanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die ersten Stützfäden (300) und die zweiten Stützfäden (301) aus einer Gruppe ausgewählt sind, die Polyestergarn und Nylongarn aufweist.

6. Dreidimensionale, leitfähige Gewebeanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die ersten Strukturfäden (200), die ersten elastischen Fäden (201) und die elektrisch leitfähigen Fäden (202) angeordnet und verflochten sind durch Stricken, um die leitfähige Elastikschicht (20) auszubilden.

7. Dreidimensionale, leitfähige Gewebeanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die zweiten Strukturfäden (400) und die zweiten elastischen Fäden (401) angeordnet und verflochten sind durch Stricken, um die Grundschicht (40) auszubilden.

8. Dreidimensionale, leitfähige Gewebeanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die elektrisch leitfähigen Fäden (202) über einer Oberfläche des widerstandsfähigen leitfähigen Gewebes (20) hinausragen.

Revendications

1. Structure de tissu tridimensionnel, comprenant : un tissu élastique (20), qui est formé en agençant et en entrelaçant une pluralité de premiers fils de structure (200) et, une pluralité de premiers fils élastiques ; un tissu de fondation (40), qui est formé en agençant et en entrelaçant une pluralité de seconds fils de structure (400) et une pluralité de seconds fils élastiques (401), dans laquelle chacun des seconds fils de structure (400) est agencé avec chacun des seconds fils élastiques (401) sous la forme d'un toron; et un tissu de support (30), qui est constitué d'une pluralité de premiers fils de support (300) et d'une pluralité de seconds fils de support (301) et qui établit une connection entre le tissu élastique (20) et le tissu de fondation (40), dans laquelle chacun des premiers fils de support (300) est agencé avec chaque toron des premiers fils de structure (200) et des premiers fils élastiques (201), et s'étend vers chaque toron des seconds fils de structure (400) et des seconds fils élastiques (401) agencés dans le tissu de fondation (40) ;
le tissu tridimensionnel est conducteur de manière électrique ; et caractérisée en ce que le tissu élastique (20) est conducteur et comprend une pluralité de fils conducteurs de manière électrique (202), dans laquelle chacun des premiers fils de structure (200) est combiné avec chacun des premiers fils élastiques (201) sous la forme d'un toron pour un agencement alterné avec chacun des fils conducteurs de manière électrique (202) ; et
dans laquelle chacun des seconds fils de support (301) est agencé avec chacun des fils conducteurs de manière électrique (202) et s'étend vers chaque toron des seconds fils de structure (400) et des seconds fils élastiques (401) agencés dans le tissu de fondation (40) de façon à être espacés des premiers fils de support (300).

2. Structure de tissu tridimensionnel conducteur de manière électrique selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les premiers fils de structure (200) et les seconds fils de structure (400) font chacun partie du groupe constitué par un fil de polyester, un fil de fibre poreuse, un fil de fibre d'alginate, un fil de fibre de carboxyméthylcellulose, et un fil de fibre de rayonne.

3. Structure de tissu tridimensionnel conducteur de manière électrique selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les fils conducteurs de manière électrique (202) font chacun partie du groupe constitué par un fil de fibre métallique, un fil de fibre à nanotubes de carbone, et un fil de fibre de carbone.

4. Structure de tissu tridimensionnel conducteur de manière électrique selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les premiers fils élastiques (201) et les seconds fils élastiques (401) sont chacun des fils d'élasthanne.

5. Structure de tissu tridimensionnel conducteur de manière électrique selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les premiers fils de support (300) et les seconds fils de support (301) font chacun partie du groupe constitué par un fil de polyester et un fil de nylon.

6. Structure de tissu tridimensionnel conducteur de manière électrique selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les premiers fils de structure (200), les premiers fils élastiques (201), et les fils conducteurs de manière électrique (202), sont agencés et entrelacés par tricotage de façon à former le tissu conducteur élastique (20).

7. Structure de tissu tridimensionnel conducteur de manière électrique selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les seconds fils de structure (400) et les seconds fils élastiques (401) sont agencés et entrelacés par tricotage de façon à former le tissu de fondation (40).

8. Structure de tissu tridimensionnel conducteur de manière électrique selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les fils conducteurs de manière électrique (202) font saillie au-delà de la surface du tissu conducteur élastique (20).

Drawing