Environment-Responsive Air-Permeability-Variable Knit Fabric for Leather Jackets and Method for Manufacturing the Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an environmentally responsive, variable-breathability knit fabric for leather jackets in which breathability is variably controlled according to environmental conditions, and a method for manufacturing the same. The clothing fabric of the present invention comprises a bicomponent fiber composed of a first polymer component and a second polymer component having different thermal shrinkage rates and / or moisture absorption and swelling characteristics, wherein the bicomponent fiber is formed in a side-by-side structure or an asymmetric sheath-core structure. The bicomponent fiber is knitted to form a knit loop structure, wherein one side of the knit loop is partially bonded to an adjacent loop or adjacent fiber, and the other side is formed to be freely deformable. Accordingly, changes in the curvature of the bicomponent fiber caused by changes in the temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment are amplified by the asymmetric deformation of the knit loop, thereby providing a knit fabric for leather jackets capable of improving wear comfort according to environmental changes without separate electronic control.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an environment-responsive breathable variable knit fabric for leather jackets and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002] The present invention relates to an environment-responsive breathable variable knit fabric applicable to leather clothing such as leather jackets and leather coats, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0003] The present invention relates to an environment-responsive breathable variable knit fabric for leather jackets and a method for manufacturing the same, for ensuring comfort in leather or artificial leather with limited breathability.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to an environment-responsive, variable breathability knit fabric for a leather jacket, in which the breathability of the fabric is variably controlled by deforming the knit structure in response to changes in temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0005] The present invention relates particularly to a fabric for clothing and a method for manufacturing the same, designed so that air permeability characteristics can be controlled by deformation of the fiber and fabric structure itself without separate electronic devices or mechanical driving parts, even under conditions where the wearing environment frequently switches between a cooled indoor environment and a high-temperature and high-humidity outdoor environment. Background Technology

[0006] Recently, changes in meteorological conditions, such as rising average temperatures, prolonged high-temperature events, and frequent high-humidity environments, are accelerating due to global climate change. Consequently, the clothing environment, particularly during the summer, is becoming more variable and unstable compared to the past. In particular, under climatic conditions characterized by recurring heatwaves and localized rainfall, a problem arises where high-temperature and high-humidity outdoor environments frequently alternate with low-temperature and low-humidity indoor environments provided by air conditioning, all within the same day.

[0007] In response to such climate and environmental changes, various functional fabrics for clothing capable of addressing the wearer's body temperature rise or sweat secretion have recently been developed and distributed. For example, fabrics that provide a contact cooling effect, fabrics with moisture-wicking and quick-drying functions, or fabrics that improve breathability using a mesh structure are being proposed.

[0008] In particular, outerwear such as leather jackets faces limitations in ensuring wearing comfort due to restricted breathability inherent in the nature of leather or synthetic leather; therefore, there is a great need to compensate for breathability through the structure of the internal materials.

[0009] However, conventional contact cooling fabrics provide an instantaneous cooling effect primarily through the thermal conductivity of the fiber surface or surface processing; consequently, this can cause excessive cooling in indoor air-conditioned environments and suffers from the problem of the cooling effect dissipating within a short period in high-temperature environments. Furthermore, these contact cooling fabrics fail to provide a mechanism for structural changes in the fabric's breathability or air passages in response to environmental changes.

[0010] Meanwhile, moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabrics and breathable mesh fabrics aim to enhance wear comfort by promoting the absorption and evaporation of sweat or improving airflow; however, the breathability of these fabrics is also determined by structural characteristics fixed during the design phase. Consequently, in air-conditioned indoor environments, unnecessarily high breathability can lead to a drop in body temperature or discomfort from the sensation of cold, while in hot and humid outdoor environments, the inability to actively respond to environmental changes makes it difficult to ensure sufficient comfort for the wearer.

[0011] In addition, while some technologies utilizing phase change materials (PCMs) to absorb or release heat have been proposed, these technologies primarily focus on heat accumulation or release. Consequently, there are limitations in actively controlling air permeability characteristics as the knit structure or fiber arrangement of the fabric itself deforms under conditions of rapid environmental transition caused by climate change.

[0012] In other words, there is a continuously increasing demand for clothing fabrics that can variably adjust breathability by allowing the fabric structure to self-deform in response to changes in ambient temperature and humidity, thereby fully reflecting the increasingly complex wearing environment conditions caused by recent climate change; however, conventional technology has not been able to provide a solution that structurally satisfies these requirements. The problem to be solved

[0013] The present invention provides a fabric for clothing and a method for manufacturing the same, which can stably maintain the comfort of the wearer even under wearing conditions where high temperature and high humidity outdoor environments and low temperature and low humidity indoor environments with cooling are frequently alternated due to climate change.

[0014] The present invention provides a fabric for clothing and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein the knit structure of the fabric self-deforms in response to changes in the temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment, thereby variably adjusting the air permeability characteristics, and accordingly, suppressing a drop in body temperature or discomfort from cold sensations caused by excessive breathability in a cooling environment, while effectively improving breathability in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment to promote the evaporation of sweat and heat release.

[0015] The present invention provides a fabric for clothing and a method for manufacturing the same, which can simultaneously secure lightness, durability, and ease of manufacturing by allowing breathability to be controlled by the environmentally responsive deformation of the fiber and fabric structure itself without using a separate electronic control device or mechanical drive unit. means of solving the problem

[0016] To solve the above-mentioned problem, the environment-responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket according to the present invention is configured to include a bicomponent fiber comprising a first polymer component and a second polymer component having different heat shrinkage rates and / or humidity swelling characteristics. The bicomponent fiber is formed so that the shape of the fiber can be deformed in response to changes in temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment due to the difference in physical properties between the first polymer component and the second polymer component.

[0017] Specifically, the bicomponent fiber is formed with a side-by-side structure or an asymmetric sheath-core structure, and due to such cross-sectional structure, the difference in thermal shrinkage rate or humidity swelling characteristics between the first polymer component and the second polymer component induces non-uniform deformation along the fiber length direction. Accordingly, when the temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment change, a change in curvature occurs in the bicomponent fiber.

[0018] The above-mentioned bicomponent fiber is knitted to form a knit loop structure, wherein one side of the knit loop is partially bonded by an adjacent fiber or bonding structure, and the other side is formed to be freely deformable. Due to this asymmetric structure in which only one side of the loop is partially bonded, the change in curvature of the bicomponent fiber is not uniformly transmitted across the entire knit loop, but is amplified into an asymmetric deformation biased in a specific direction.

[0019] As a result, the knit loops deform asymmetrically according to changes in the temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment, thereby changing the porosity within the fabric and reconfiguring the air channels to have directionality. Due to these changes in porosity and the directionality of the air channels, the airflow passing through the fabric is regulated differently according to environmental conditions, thereby variably controlling the air permeability. Effects of the invention

[0020] The present invention provides an effect in which changes in fiber curvature caused by differences in physical properties between the cross-sectional structure of bicomponent fibers and polymer components are amplified by the asymmetric deformation of knit loops, and accordingly, the porosity and shape of air passages within the fabric are reconfigured according to environmental conditions, thereby suppressing excessive air inflow in low-temperature and low-humidity environments where cooling is performed, and facilitating airflow in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, which promotes the release of body heat and sweat evaporation from the wearer.

[0021] The present invention allows for the control of changes in breathability so that they occur in stages centered on a specific direction or specific area rather than uniformly across the entire fabric, through the partial bonding position of knit loops, differential configuration of loop heights, and mutual interference structure between loops having different environmental response characteristics. This enables more precise control of the fabric's response to environmental changes and effectively reduces unnecessary excessive breathability or unpleasant cold sensations.

[0022] The present invention provides a fabric for clothing that can design the path of airflow itself, rather than simply increasing breathability, by designing the arrangement of polymer components within the cross-section of a bicomponent fiber asymmetrically, thereby predominantly inducing the direction of change in the fiber's curvature in a preset direction and enabling control of the directionality of the air passage.

[0023] The present invention does not require a separate electronic control device or mechanical drive unit, and since breathability is controlled by the physical properties and bonding structure of the fiber and knit structure itself, it offers excellent lightness, durability, and ease of manufacturing, and can maintain stable performance even after repeated washing or prolonged wear.

[0024] The present invention can stably maintain the comfort of the wearer even under modern wearing conditions where high-temperature and high-humidity outdoor environments and air-conditioned indoor environments frequently alternate due to climate change.

[0025] The present invention can be widely applied to various clothing fields such as T-shirts, innerwear, and sportswear, but particularly when applied to leather jackets, it can effectively improve internal moisture release and wearing comfort. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing steps of the method for manufacturing an environment-responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the optical microscope observation results of an example of an environment-responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket according to the present invention, where the left side shows Example 1 (a knit loop structure with bi-component fibers of a side-by-side structure) and the right side shows Example 2 (a knit loop structure with bi-component fibers of an asymmetric sheath-core structure). FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the results of optical microscope observations of comparative examples that do not include an environment-responsive structure according to the present invention, sequentially showing from the left: Comparative Example 1 (a knit loop structure made of a single polymer fiber), Comparative Example 2 (a knit loop structure with a bicomponent fiber having a symmetric side-by-side structure), and Comparative Example 3 (a knit loop structure with a bicomponent fiber having an asymmetric sheath-core structure but not including a partial bonding structure of the knit loop). FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the cross-sectional structure of a leather jacket to which an environment-responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket according to the present invention is applied. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0027] Prior to the description of the present invention, the following specific structural or functional descriptions are provided merely for the purpose of illustrating embodiments according to the concept of the present invention. Embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0028] In addition, since embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may be subject to various modifications and may take various forms, specific embodiments are to be described in detail in this specification. However, this is not intended to limit the embodiments according to the concept of the present invention to specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0030] The present invention relates to an environment-responsive breathable variable knit fabric for leather jackets.

[0031] The above-described environmentally responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket comprises a bicomponent fiber comprising a first polymer component and a second polymer component having different heat shrinkage rates and / or humidity swelling characteristics.

[0032] Specifically, the first polymer component and the second polymer component may be selected such that the first polymer component is a polymer with a relatively low thermal shrinkage rate and low water absorption rate, such as polyester, nylon, polypropylene, or copolymers thereof, and the second polymer component is selected such that the second polymer component is a polymer with a relatively high thermal shrinkage rate or excellent water absorption and swelling characteristics, such as polyamide, polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, or a hydrophilically modified polyester.

[0033] For example, when polyester is used as the first polymer component and nylon is used as the second polymer component, a change in the curvature of the fiber may be induced due to the difference in thermal shrinkage rate according to temperature change.

[0034] As another example, when hydrophobic polypropylene is used as the first polymer component and hydrophilic modified polyester is used as the second polymer component, a change in the curvature of the fiber may be induced due to differences in moisture absorption and swelling behavior according to changes in humidity.

[0035] As another example, at least one of the first polymer component and the second polymer component may be a modified polymer having a hydrophilic functional group, an ionic functional group, or a polar functional group introduced, thereby allowing the response characteristics of the fiber to changes in humidity to be controlled more precisely.

[0037] The above-mentioned bicomponent fiber is formed with a side-by-side structure or an asymmetric sheath-core structure and configured so that the curvature of the fiber changes according to changes in temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment.

[0038] The above side-by-side structure refers to a cross-sectional structure of a bicomponent fiber in which a first polymer component and a second polymer component having different physical properties are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the fiber. In this structure, the two polymer components occupy different regions of the fiber cross-section and may be arranged in a left-right or biased ratio relative to the centerline of the fiber.

[0039] Due to this side-by-side structure, when the temperature or humidity of the surrounding environment changes, the difference in thermal shrinkage rate or moisture absorption and swelling characteristics between the first polymer component and the second polymer component acts asymmetrically within the fiber cross-section. As a result, non-uniform deformation occurs along the fiber length direction, and changes in curvature due to bending or warping in a specific direction are induced in the fiber.

[0040] In particular, when the first polymer component and the second polymer component are arranged in a biased ratio rather than perfectly symmetrically in the above-described side-by-side structure, the change in curvature may not occur randomly but may predominantly occur in a predetermined direction. Accordingly, the present invention can stably induce a change in the curvature of the fiber due to environmental changes through the above-described side-by-side structure and effectively transmit this to the asymmetric deformation of the knit loop structure.

[0041] The above-mentioned asymmetric sheath-core structure refers to a cross-sectional structure of a bicomponent fiber comprising a core portion composed of a first polymer component and a sheath portion composed of a second polymer component, wherein the core portion is positioned eccentrically from the center of the sheath portion. In this structure, the core portion is not symmetrically positioned at the center of the fiber cross-section but is offset in a specific direction, thereby forming an asymmetric distribution of physical properties within the fiber cross-section.

[0042] Due to this asymmetric sheath-core structure, when the temperature or humidity of the surrounding environment changes, the difference in thermal shrinkage rate or moisture absorption and swelling characteristics between the first polymer component and the second polymer component acts unevenly within the fiber cross-section. As a result, non-uniform shrinkage or swelling deformation occurs along the fiber length direction, and accordingly, a change in curvature due to bending in a specific direction is induced in the fiber.

[0043] In particular, the direction and magnitude of the curvature change can be pre-set by controlling the degree of eccentricity of the core portion, the relative thickness ratio of the core portion and the sheath portion, or the difference in physical properties of the polymer component. Accordingly, the present invention can directionally control the curvature change of the fiber due to environmental changes through an asymmetric sheath-core structure and stably transmit this to asymmetric deformation in the knit loop structure.

[0044] Due to this cross-sectional structure, when the temperature of the surrounding environment changes, uneven shrinkage occurs along the length of the fiber due to the difference in thermal shrinkage rates between the first polymer component and the second polymer component, and as a result, bending or flexing deformation is induced in the fiber in a specific direction. In addition, when the humidity of the surrounding environment changes, an imbalance in the amount of swelling occurs within the cross-section of the fiber due to differences in moisture absorption and swelling characteristics, and accordingly, additional changes in the curvature of the fiber may occur or be amplified.

[0045] In particular, the bicomponent fiber can be configured such that the first polymer component and the second polymer component are not symmetrically arranged within the cross-section, thereby causing deformation due to thermal shrinkage or humidity swelling to occur predominantly in a predetermined direction rather than in a random direction. Accordingly, the change in curvature of the fiber subsequently induces asymmetric deformation in the knit loop structure more stably.

[0047] The above-mentioned bicomponent fiber is knitted to form a knit loop structure, wherein one side of the knit loop is partially connected to an adjacent fiber or bonding structure and the other side is formed to be freely deformable, thereby configuring the change in curvature of the fiber to be amplified by the asymmetric deformation of the knit loop.

[0048] The aforementioned knit loop structure refers to a structure in which basic knitting units, formed by continuously bending fibers or yarns into loop shapes, are interconnected to constitute a fabric. In knit fabrics, each loop is connected to adjacent loops in the up-down or left-right directions, so that the entire fabric forms a continuous loop network.

[0049] In such a knit loop structure, since each loop consists of curved elements rather than fixed straight elements, the height, width, and opening shape of the loops can be easily deformed when changes in fiber length, curvature, or tension occur. As a result, the knit loop structure exhibits flexible behavioral characteristics and is more susceptible to shape deformation in response to external stimuli compared to woven structures.

[0050] In particular, the knit loop structure naturally incorporates pores through the gaps between the loops that allow air and moisture to pass through, and the size and shape of these pores can change depending on the deformation of the loops. Accordingly, the knit loop structure is suitable for structurally controlling the breathability, elasticity, and deformation behavior of the fabric.

[0051] In the present invention, by utilizing these characteristics of the knit loop structure, the change in curvature occurring in the bicomponent fiber is amplified into an asymmetric deformation at the knit loop unit level, thereby allowing the porosity and air passages within the fabric to be variably controlled according to environmental conditions.

[0052] Specifically, the knit loops can be knitted or post-processed such that only one side of the loops formed along the longitudinal direction of the fibers is combined with an adjacent loop or adjacent fiber, while the opposite side remains in an uncombined free state.

[0053] Due to this structure, when a change in curvature occurs in the bicomponent fibers due to changes in the temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment, the change in curvature is not uniformly distributed throughout the loop but is concentrated around the unbonded free side, causing the knit loop to deform asymmetrically. Consequently, a minute change in curvature occurring in a single fiber is amplified and manifested at the knit loop level.

[0054] For example, if one side of the lower portion of the knit loop is partially joined to an adjacent loop by a bonding yarn, and the upper portion and the opposite side are formed to be freely deformable, the change in the curvature of the fiber induces a deformation in the form of rotation or spreading around the upper portion of the loop. As a result, the gap between the knit loops expands in a specific direction, and the porosity and air passages within the fabric can be formed with directionality.

[0055] As another example, if one side of the knit loop is locally bonded to an adjacent fiber by heat fusion while the remaining area is not bonded, the change in fiber curvature due to environmental changes is amplified around the unbonded side, causing the knit loop to spread asymmetrically. In this case, the air passages between the knit loops are predominantly formed in the direction of the free side of the loop, resulting in a more effective change in breathability.

[0056] In this way, the present invention partially combines only one side of the knit loop and forms the other side to be freely deformable, thereby mechanically amplifying the change in curvature of the bicomponent fiber in the knit loop structure, and thereby allowing the breathability of the fabric to be variably controlled according to surrounding environmental conditions.

[0058] Accordingly, the porosity and the shape of the air passages within the fabric are reconfigured by the asymmetric deformation of the knit loops, and as a result, the clothing fabric is configured so that its air permeability is variably controlled according to the temperature and / or humidity conditions of the surrounding environment.

[0061] A method for manufacturing an environment-responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket according to the present invention will be described.

[0063] The method for manufacturing the above-described environmentally responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket comprises a bicomponent fiber composition step (S1), a bicomponent fiber spinning step (S2), a yarn processing step (S3), a knit loop structure formation step (S4), a partial bonding step of knit loops (S5), and an environmentally responsive structure implementation step (S6).

[0065] First, the bicomponent fiber composition step (S1) includes, first, a step of preparing a first polymer component having a relatively low heat shrinkage rate and excellent hydrophobicity, and a second polymer component having a relatively high heat shrinkage rate and moisture absorption and swelling characteristics, and a step of combining the first polymer component and the second polymer component to form a bicomponent fiber having different heat shrinkage and / or humidity swelling characteristics.

[0066] Specifically, polyester (PET) may be prepared as the first polymer component and nylon (PA) may be prepared as the second polymer component, and these polymer components are supplied in a molten or plasticized state, respectively, to be suitable for the spinning process. Subsequently, the first polymer component and the second polymer component are supplied simultaneously or continuously to form a bicomponent fiber having environmental reaction characteristics resulting from differences in physical properties.

[0067] Through this bicomponent fiber composition step (S1), the fiber formed in the subsequent process has basic physical properties in which a change in curvature can be induced due to the difference in thermal shrinkage rate or moisture absorption and swelling characteristics between the first polymer component and the second polymer component depending on changes in temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment.

[0069] The above bicomponent fiber spinning step (S2) includes a step of spinning using the first polymer component and the second polymer component prepared in the above bicomponent fiber composition step (S1) so that the two polymer components are arranged in parallel or asymmetrically within the cross-section of the fiber.

[0070] Specifically, in the bicomponent fiber spinning step (S2), the first polymer component and the second polymer component are supplied to the spinneret through independent flow paths, respectively, and then the two polymer components can be spun simultaneously to form a side-by-side structure along the fiber length direction. At this time, it is preferable to adjust the supply ratio of the first polymer component and the second polymer component or the shape of the flow path within the spinneret so that the two polymer components are arranged in a biased ratio rather than perfectly symmetrically within the fiber cross-section.

[0071] Alternatively, the bicomponent fiber spinning step (S2) may include a step of spinning to form an asymmetric sheath-core structure comprising a core part made of a first polymer component and a sheath part made of a second polymer component, wherein the core part is positioned eccentrically from the center of the sheath part. In this case as well, by adjusting the degree of eccentricity of the core part or the ratio of the relative thickness of the core part and the sheath part, the fiber may be configured so that a change in curvature occurs predominantly in a specific direction when the environment changes thereafter.

[0072] The fiber formed by such a bicomponent fiber spinning step (S2) has a cross-sectional structure in which a change in curvature can be stably induced due to the difference in thermal shrinkage rate or moisture absorption and swelling characteristics between the first polymer component and the second polymer component depending on changes in temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment.

[0074] The above yarn processing step (S3) includes the step of collecting the bicomponent fibers formed in the above bicomponent fiber spinning step (S2) and processing them into yarn form suitable for knitting.

[0075] Specifically, in the yarn processing step (S3), the spun bicomponent fibers are treated as single fibers or continuous fibers and processed into yarns having a predetermined thickness and tension through twisting, plying, or equivalent processes. At this time, the degree of twisting of the yarn, the plying method, or the tension conditions may be selected to influence the shape stability and deformation behavior of the knit loop structure thereafter.

[0076] For example, in the yarn processing step (S3), the spun bicomponent fiber is treated as a continuous fiber and twisted to have a relatively low twist coefficient, thereby processing the yarn so that loop deformation is facilitated during knitting. In this case, the change in fiber curvature is transmitted more sensitively to the knit loop structure, so that asymmetric loop deformation due to environmental changes can be effectively induced.

[0077] As another example, the above-mentioned bicomponent fibers can be combined into multiple strands with a tension difference between each strand, thereby processing the yarn to form a fine tension imbalance throughout. Through this combination method, deformation behavior in a specific direction can be induced to be dominant in the subsequent knit loop structure.

[0078] As another example, when processing with the yarn tension maintained at a relatively low level during the yarn processing step (S3), the flexibility of the loop formed after knitting is increased, so that changes in curvature due to environmental changes can be more easily amplified into shape changes at the loop level. Conversely, when processing with the yarn tension maintained at a relatively high level, the initial shape stability of the knit loop is improved, so that deformation is suppressed for minute environmental changes and deformation can be controlled to begin under certain critical conditions.

[0080] The partial bonding step (S5) of the knit loops above includes a step of partially bonding only one side of each loop among the knit loops formed in the knit loop structure forming step (S4) with an adjacent loop or adjacent fiber, while maintaining the other side so that it can be freely deformed.

[0081] Specifically, in the partial joining step (S5) of the knit loops, each knit loop can be locally joined with an adjacent loop using at least one method among joining yarn, heat fusion, bonding, or partial knitting, based on one side or one side of the lower portion of each knit loop. Accordingly, the knit loops have an asymmetric structure in which one side is fixed or constrained and the other side is freely deformable.

[0082] For example, in the partial bonding step (S5) of the knit loops, the adjacent loops can be locally bonded using a bonding yarn based on one side of the lower portion of each knit loop. In this case, the deformation of the lower portion where the bonding yarn is formed is restricted, while the unbonded upper portion and the opposite side are freely deformable, so that the change in curvature of the bicomponent fiber due to environmental changes can be amplified into an asymmetric deformation in the form of rotation or spreading around the free side of the loop.

[0083] As another example, when the knit loop is locally bonded to an adjacent loop or adjacent fiber by a heat fusion method based on one side of the knit loop, the bonded area acts as a fixed point with a relatively strong restraining force, and the unheat-fused area exhibits behavior similar to a hinge, thereby inducing the knit loop to deform into a folded or open shape centered on a specific direction.

[0084] As another example, when selectively bonding only specific areas of a knit loop using an adhesive, the deformation initiation location and degree of deformation of the loop can be controlled by adjusting the application area or position of the adhesive. Accordingly, deformation of the knit loop can be suppressed in response to minute environmental changes, and asymmetric deformation of the loop can be initiated only when a change in temperature or humidity exceeding a certain level occurs.

[0085] As another example, if specific loops are cross-linked with adjacent loops through partial knitting during the knitting process, an asymmetrical structure in which only one side of the loop is constrained can be formed without a separate post-processing step. Since the bonded structure formed by this partial knitting method is integrated during the knitting process, it offers the advantage of excellent bond stability even under repeated deformation.

[0087] The above environment-responsive structure implementation step (S6) includes a step of implementing an environment-responsive structure such that, for a knit loop structure that has undergone the partial bonding step (S5) of the knit loop, a change in the curvature of the bicomponent fiber occurs according to a change in the temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment, and said change in curvature is asymmetrically amplified around the free side of the knit loop.

[0088] Specifically, in the environment-responsive structure implementation step (S6), the change in curvature of the bicomponent fiber is limited in a low-temperature and low-humidity environment so as to suppress deformation of the knit loop, and in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, a change in curvature of the bicomponent fiber occurs due to the difference in thermal shrinkage rate or moisture absorption and swelling characteristics between the first polymer component and the second polymer component, and the change is amplified around the free side of the knit loop, thereby inducing asymmetric deformation of the knit loop, a change in porosity within the fabric, and a change in the directionality of the air passage.

[0089] For example, in the above-mentioned environment-responsive structure implementation step (S6), the difference in thermal shrinkage rate and moisture absorption / swelling behavior between the first polymer component and the second polymer component is relatively small in a low-temperature / low-humidity environment, so the structure can be configured such that almost no change in the curvature of the bicomponent fiber occurs. In this case, the overall shape of the loop is stably maintained by a partial bonding structure that restrains one side of the knit loop, and the gap between loops and the porosity within the fabric are maintained close to the initial state.

[0090] On the other hand, when exposed to a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, the difference in thermal shrinkage rate or moisture absorption and swelling characteristics between the first and second polymer components increases, which may cause a distinct change in curvature in the bicomponent fiber. In this case, the change in curvature is transmitted and amplified around the partially unbonded free side of the knit loop, resulting in asymmetric deformation in which the knit loop rotates, spreads, or opens.

[0091] As another example, if the partial bonding of the knit loops is formed locally in a specific area of ​​the loops, the deformation of the knit loops is suppressed for minute changes in temperature or humidity, and the change in curvature of the bicomponent fibers is configured to transition into deformation at the loop level only when preset temperature or humidity conditions are exceeded. Accordingly, changes in the breathability of the fabric do not occur continuously, but can be initiated in stages based on certain critical conditions.

[0092] As another example, if knit loops are formed to have different heights or different environmental response characteristics, asymmetric deformation of the knit loops in high-temperature and high-humidity environments may not occur simultaneously across the entire fabric, but rather preferentially centered on loop regions or specific loop combinations that are relatively easy to deform. Consequently, air passages within the fabric are not formed randomly but are predominantly formed along pre-designed directions or regions, allowing for more precise control of breathability.

[0094] Example 1

[0095] This Example 1 is an example for manufacturing an environmentally responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket by applying a side-by-side bi-component fiber.

[0097] Polyester (PET), which has a relatively low thermal shrinkage rate and low moisture absorption rate, was prepared as the first polymer component, and nylon (PA), which has a relatively high thermal shrinkage rate and moisture absorption and swelling characteristics, was prepared as the second polymer component, and then a bicomponent fiber was composed by combining the first polymer component and the second polymer component.

[0099] The above bicomponent fiber is spun in a side-by-side structure, configured so that the first polymer component (PET) and the second polymer component (PA) are arranged in parallel within the cross-section of the fiber, and at this time, the cross-sectional area ratio of the two polymer components is set to approximately 60:40 so that the change in curvature of the fiber occurs predominantly in a specific direction when the temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment changes.

[0101] The spun bicomponent fibers were collected in a continuous fiber state and processed into a yarn form suitable for knitting through a twisting process. At this time, the yarn twist coefficient was set to a medium-low level to ensure smooth deformation of the knit loops.

[0103] The above yarn was fed into a circular knitting process to form a continuous loop-shaped knit loop structure.

[0105] Based on one side of the bottom of each knit loop, a connecting yarn was used to locally partially connect it to an adjacent loop, while the top and opposite sides of the loop were maintained to allow for free deformation.

[0107] Thus, in a low-temperature and low-humidity environment, the change in curvature in the side-by-side bicomponent fiber is limited, thereby suppressing the deformation of the knit loop; and in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, a directional change in curvature occurs in the bicomponent fiber due to the difference in thermal shrinkage rate or moisture absorption and swelling characteristics between the first polymer component (PET) and the second polymer component (PA), and said change in curvature is amplified around the free side of the knit loop, causing the knit loop to deform asymmetrically, and accordingly, the porosity and the directionality of the air passages within the fabric are configured to change.

[0108] The fabric of the above example can be applied as the lining or base of a leather jacket.

[0110] Example 2

[0111] This Example 2 is an example for manufacturing an environmentally responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket, in which a bicomponent fiber with an asymmetric sheath-core structure is applied, unlike Example 1.

[0113] Polyester (PET), which has a relatively low thermal shrinkage rate and low moisture absorption rate, was prepared as the first polymer component, and nylon (PA), which has a relatively high thermal shrinkage rate and moisture absorption and swelling characteristics, was prepared as the second polymer component, and then a bicomponent fiber was composed by combining the first polymer component and the second polymer component.

[0115] The above bicomponent fiber is spun into a sheath-core structure, wherein the first polymer component (PET) is configured as the core part and the second polymer component (PA) is configured as the sheath part, and the core part is positioned so as to be eccentrically offset by approximately 15% relative to the fiber radius from the center of the fiber cross-section. In addition, the cross-sectional area ratio of the core part and the sheath part is set to approximately 35:65. Due to this asymmetric sheath-core structure, the difference in thermal shrinkage rate or moisture absorption and swelling behavior between the core part and the sheath part when the temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment changes is made to act asymmetrically within the fiber cross-section.

[0117] The spun bicomponent fibers were collected in a continuous fiber state and processed into a yarn form suitable for knitting through a twisting process. At this time, the yarn twist coefficient was set to a medium-low level to ensure smooth loop deformation.

[0119] The above yarn was fed into a circular knitting process to form a continuous loop-shaped knit loop structure.

[0121] Based on one side of the bottom of each knit loop, a connecting yarn was used to locally partially connect it to an adjacent loop, while the top and opposite sides of the loop were maintained to allow for free deformation.

[0123] Thus, in a low-temperature and low-humidity environment, the change in fiber curvature due to the asymmetric sheath-core structure is limited, thereby suppressing deformation of the knit loop; and in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, a directional change in curvature occurs in the fiber due to moisture absorption, swelling, and thermal shrinkage behavior of the sheath portion (PA), and the said change in curvature is amplified around the free side of the knit loop, causing the loop to deform asymmetrically, and accordingly, the porosity and the directionality of the air passages within the fabric are configured to change.

[0124] The fabric of the above example can be applied as the lining or base of a leather jacket.

[0126] Example 3: Application to a leather jacket

[0128] The breathable variable knit fabric having an environment-responsive knit structure manufactured in the above Examples 1 and 2 can be effectively used even when applied to clothing for leather jackets.

[0129] Specifically, the above-described environmentally responsive knit fabric is applied as an inner lining or base fabric of a leather jacket, and the leather jacket can be constructed with a structure in which an outer layer made of natural leather or artificial leather is laminated on top and the knit fabric is placed underneath. At this time, the knit fabric may be bonded to the leather or artificial leather layer by at least one of sewing, bonding, or lamination processes.

[0130] In a leather jacket with such a structure, when the external environment is under low temperature and low humidity conditions, the deformation of the knit loops of the knit fabric is suppressed, thereby restricting internal air flow and maintaining a state favorable for maintaining body temperature. On the other hand, when the internal humidity rises due to high temperature and high humidity conditions or increased activity of the wearer, a change in curvature occurs in the bicomponent fibers of the knit fabric, and consequently, asymmetric deformation is induced around the free side of the knit loops, thereby expanding the internal porosity and air passages.

[0131] As a result, moisture and heat accumulated inside the leather jacket are effectively released to the outside, alleviating discomfort caused by the low breathability of the leather or synthetic leather outer shell and improving overall wearing comfort.

[0133] Comparative Example 1: Single polymer knit fabric

[0134] Comparative Example 1 is a general knit fabric that does not include an environmentally responsive structure, and is a control group for comparing performance with Example 1 and Example 2.

[0135] Fibers were spun using only polyester (PET), which has uniform thermal shrinkage and moisture absorption characteristics, as the single polymer component. After processing the single-component fiber into a yarn form, a knit loop structure was formed through a circular knitting process. At this time, each knit loop does not include a structure that is partially bonded to an adjacent loop, and is formed to have a symmetric structure in which the entire loop is freely deformable. Comparative Example 1, manufactured in this manner, does not include structural elements that induce asymmetric deformation in the fiber cross-section or loop structure according to changes in temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment.

[0137] Comparative Example 2: Knit fabric with a symmetrical side-by-side structure

[0138] Comparative Example 2 is a control group in which bicomponent fibers are used, but the fiber cross-section and loop structure are symmetrically formed.

[0140] A bicomponent fiber was composed using polyester (PET) as the first polymer component and nylon (PA) as the second polymer component. The bicomponent fiber was spun into a symmetric side-by-side structure in which the two polymer components are arranged in the same cross-sectional area ratio (50:50) within the fiber cross-section. After processing the spun bicomponent fiber into a yarn form, a knit loop structure was formed through a circular knitting process; however, each knit loop was formed such that one side was not partially bonded, and the entire loop had a structure capable of symmetrical deformation. Comparative Example 2, manufactured in this manner, has a structure that does not induce directional deformation in response to environmental changes in the fiber cross-section and knit loop structure, despite using a bicomponent fiber.

[0142] Comparative Example 3: Knit fabric with an asymmetric sheath-core structure but without loop joints

[0143] Comparative Example 3 is a control group that uses a bicomponent fiber with an asymmetric sheath-core structure identical to Example 2, but does not include a partial bonding structure of knit loops.

[0144] A bicomponent fiber with an asymmetric sheath-core structure was spun, with the first polymer component (PET) serving as the core and the second polymer component (PA) as the sheath. The core was positioned at a 15% eccentricity relative to the fiber radius from the center of the fiber cross-section. After processing the spun bicomponent fiber into a yarn form, a knit loop structure was formed through a circular knitting process, but each knit loop was formed in a structure that was not partially bonded to an adjacent loop. Comparative Example 3, manufactured in this manner, has a structure in which an environment-responsive curvature change may occur at the fiber cross-section level, but the deformation is not amplified or oriented within the knit loop structure.

[0145] The comparison of Examples 1 and 2 above with Examples 1, 2, and 3 is summarized as follows.

[0146] division Fiber cross-sectional structure Loop section joining Amplification of environmental response Variable breathability Example 1 side-by-side (60:40) is is is Example 2 Asymmetric sheath-core is is is Comparative Example 1 single component doesn't exist doesn't exist doesn't exist Comparative Example 2 side-by-side (50:50) doesn't exist Limited Limited Comparative Example 3 Asymmetric sheath-core doesn't exist doesn't exist Limited

[0148] Test Example 1: Air Permeability Test According to Changes in Environmental Conditions

[0150] Test Example 1 is intended to quantitatively evaluate the change in air permeability according to changes in environmental conditions of an environment-responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket according to the present invention. The test specimens were Example 1, Example 2, Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, and Comparative Example 3. Each specimen was exposed to a temperature of 20°C and a relative humidity of 40% (Condition A: low temperature and low humidity environment) for 30 minutes, after which the air permeability was measured. Subsequently, the same specimens were switched to a temperature of 35°C and a relative humidity of 80% (Condition B: high temperature and high humidity environment), exposed for 30 minutes, and then the air permeability was measured again.

[0152] division Condition A (20℃ / 40% RH) Condition B (35℃ / 80% RH) rate of change Example 1 90 135 +50.6% Example 2 88 145 +64.8% Comparative Example 1 92 98 +6.5% Comparative example 2 90 104 +15.6% Comparative example 3 86 100 +16.3%

[0153] As shown in [Table 2] above, Examples 1 and 2 showed a tendency for air permeability to increase significantly under high temperature and high humidity conditions (Condition B) compared to low temperature and low humidity conditions (Condition A). In particular, the air permeability of Example 1 increased by about 50% under Condition B compared to Condition A, and Example 2 showed an increase of about 60% or more, confirming that when the asymmetric structure of the fiber cross-section and the partial bonding structure of the knit loop are combined, the breathability control effect according to environmental changes is expressed more effectively.

[0154] On the other hand, Comparative Examples 1 to 3 showed a limited increase in air permeability of less than 20% despite changes in environmental conditions, which is judged to be because directional reconstruction of the air flow path in response to environmental changes is not sufficiently achieved in cases lacking a single polymer fiber structure, a symmetrical bicomponent fiber cross-sectional structure, or a partially bonded structure of knit loops.

[0155] Through this, it was confirmed that the embodiments according to the present invention structurally variably control the air permeability of the fabric according to changes in temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment, as the change in curvature induced by the difference in physical properties of the bicomponent fibers is amplified by the asymmetric deformation of the knit loop.

[0157] Test Example 2: Observation Test of Knit Loop Deformation Behavior

[0158] Test Example 2 is intended to structurally confirm that the change in air permeability observed in Test Example 1 is due to the deformation behavior of the knit loop structure. The test specimens were Example 1, Example 2, Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, and Comparative Example 3, and each specimen was exposed to a high temperature and high humidity environment of 35°C and 80% relative humidity for about 30 minutes. While exposed to the above environmental conditions, the knit loop structure of each specimen was observed using an optical microscope or a magnifying device, and comparisons were made focusing on the deformation shape of the knit loop, changes in the gap between loops, and the directionality of the deformation.

[0159] As a result of observation, as shown in Fig. 2, in Examples 1 and 2, the loops were found to deform asymmetrically around the free side of the knit loops, and accordingly, the gap between the loops was observed to expand in a specific direction. In particular, in the case of Example 2, the direction of change in the curvature of the fibers was more clearly induced by the asymmetric sheath-core structure, and the asymmetric deformation of the knit loops tended to appear more stably.

[0160] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, almost no deformation of the knit loop was observed in Comparative Example 1, and in Comparative Example 2, the loop was symmetrically deformed or the gap change was limited. In addition, in Comparative Example 3, although the possibility of deformation at the fiber cross-sectional level existed, it was observed that the deformation was amplified at the loop level or lacked directionality due to the lack of a partial bonding structure of the knit loop.

[0161] From these observations, it was confirmed that in the embodiments according to the present invention, the change in curvature induced by the cross-sectional asymmetric structure of the bicomponent fiber is mechanically amplified through the partially combined asymmetric structure of the knit loop, and as a result, directional deformation centered on the free side of the knit loop occurs. On the other hand, it was found that when either the fiber cross-section or the knit loop structure lacks an asymmetric component, the directional deformation of the knit loop in response to environmental changes is not sufficiently manifested.

[0163] Test Example 3: Test of Critical Onset Behavior According to Environmental Conditions

[0164] Test Example 3 is intended to verify whether the environmentally responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket according to the present invention exhibits structural behavior in which deformation is initiated only when a preset condition is exceeded, rather than continuously responding to changes in the temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment. The test specimens were Example 1, Example 2, Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, and Comparative Example 3. Each specimen was fixed at a temperature of 30°C and exposed to a relative humidity of 40% for 30 minutes, after which the air permeability was measured. Subsequently, the same specimens were switched to a relative humidity of 60% and exposed for 30 minutes, after which the air permeability was measured again. The air permeability was also measured in the same manner under a relative humidity of 80%. At this time, the patterns of change in air permeability measured at each stage were compared. The results are as follows.

[0166] division 40% RH 60% RH 80% RH 40→60 change rate 60→80 change rate Example 1 92 96 138 +4.3% +43.8% Example 2 90 94 150 +4.4% +59.6% Comparative Example 1 95 98 102 +3.2% +4.1% Comparative Example 2 93 10 108 +7.5% +8.0% Comparative Example 3 90 96 110 +6.7% +14.6%

[0167] - Unit: cm³ / cm² / s

[0168] As shown in Table 3, in Examples 1 and 2, the change in air permeability was limited to approximately 5% under conditions of 40% and 60% relative humidity, respectively; however, after the relative humidity reached 80%, the air permeability showed a tendency to increase by more than 40% and more than 60%, respectively. This implies that deformation in response to initial environmental changes is suppressed by the partial bonding structure of the knit loop according to the present invention, but asymmetric deformation of the knit loop is initiated when the humidity exceeds a preset critical condition. On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the air permeability changed gradually or the range of change was limited with increasing relative humidity, and no critical behavior was observed in which a rapid change is initiated based on specific humidity conditions. Explanation of the symbols

[0170] Bicomponent fiber composition step (S1), Bicomponent fiber spinning step (S2), Thread processing step (S3), knit loop structure formation step (S4), Partial joining step of knit loop (S5), Environment-responsive structure implementation step (S6).

Claims

Claim 1 A bicomponent fiber comprising a first polymer component and a second polymer component having different thermal shrinkage rates and / or humidity swelling characteristics, wherein the bicomponent fiber is formed in a side-by-side structure or an asymmetric sheath-core structure, wherein the bicomponent fiber is knitted to form a knit loop structure, wherein one side of the knit loop is partially bonded by an adjacent fiber or bonding structure and the other side is formed to be freely deformable, wherein the curvature of the bicomponent fiber changes due to the difference in thermal shrinkage rates or humidity swelling characteristics between the first polymer component and the second polymer component according to changes in temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment, wherein the knit loop is asymmetrically deformed due to the change in curvature of the fiber, thereby changing the porosity and air passages within the fabric in a directional manner, so as to variably control the air permeability, wherein the partial bonding of the knit loop is formed by heat fusion or bonding, and the partial bonding of the knit loop is formed at the bottom portion or on one side of the loop, and An environment-responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket, characterized in that the bicomponent fiber is formed such that a first polymer component and a second polymer component are asymmetrically arranged within the cross-section of the fiber, so that a change in the curvature of the fiber due to changes in the temperature and / or humidity of the surrounding environment occurs predominantly in a preset direction, and the partial bonding of the knit loop is formed locally in a specific area of ​​the loop, so that an asymmetric deformation of the knit loop due to changes in the environment is initiated when the preset temperature or humidity conditions are exceeded. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 An environment-responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket, characterized in that, in claim 1, the knit loop is formed to include a plurality of loop regions having different heights. Claim 5 An environmentally responsive breathable variable knit fabric for a leather jacket, characterized in that, in claim 1, the knit loop comprises a structure in which a first loop and a second loop having different environmental response characteristics are arranged to interfere with each other. Claim 6 delete Claim 7 delete Claim 8 delete

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