Three-dimensional textile composite structure and manufacture and use thereof

Abstract

A three-dimensional cellular textile composite structure with energy-absorbing capacities under multiple impacts is provided. The cellular textile composite structure includes a base, and at least one progressively collapsible projection extending from the base for absorbing energies under the multiple impacts. The projection includes a non-woven textile material supported in a thermoplastic matrix material such that the projection is capable of retaining energy-absorption capacity at least after the first impact of the multiple impacts.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to three-dimensional textile composite structures with energy-absorbing capacities under multiple impacts, and to the manufacture and use thereof. [0003] 2. Background of the Invention [0004] Three-dimensional textile composite structures have been widely used for energy absorbing purposes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,052, issued to Xiaoming Tao et al. on Mar. 25, 2003 and entitled “Safety Helmets with Cellular Textile Composite Structure as Energy Absorber,” discloses a porous textile composite structure with high energy-absorbing capacities. Preferred embodiments of '052 suggest spraying and then curing thermoset resins onto knitted fabrics for achieving the desired textile composite structures. [0005] However, disadvantages exist with such knitted textile composite structure according to the preferred embodiments as disclosed in '052. [0006] Firstly, it is observed that under multiple impacts, t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a textile composite structure with energy-absorbing capacities under multiple impacts, preferably such a structure being made by a faster and more convenient process as compared to '052, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Problems solved by technology

However, disadvantages exist with such knitted textile composite structure according to the preferred embodiments as disclosed in '052.

Firstly, it is observed that under multiple impacts, the knitted textile composite structure according to the preferred embodiments as disclosed In '052 may exhibit unsatisfactory energy-absorbing performance.

In particular, the three-dimensional knitted textile composite structure may collapse at the first impact and therefore lose a substantial part of its energy-absorbing capacities.

Furthermore, it is also observed the process of spraying and curing thermoset resin onto the fabrics is time consuming.

Images