Rate sensitive protective clothing

Abstract

A rate sensitive protective garment includes a fabric shell, a first and second layer of sealing material within the fabric shell, and a shear thickening fluid core between the first and second layers of sealing material, wherein the first and second layers of sealing material each have fibers extending toward the interior of the protective garment and embedded in the shear thickening fluid core, and the shear thickening fluid is in direct contact with the layers of sealing material and the fibers.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 358,860, filed July 6, 2022, and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 346,873, filed July 5, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to the field of protective clothing technology; more particularly, this invention relates to rate-sensitive protective clothing having shear-thickening fluid and fibers. Background Technology

[0004] In activities such as weightlifting and sports, sprains and blunt force trauma are common injuries, especially to the knees and ankles; more precisely, these two areas account for over 50% of common sports injuries, with knee injuries accounting for 20% and ankle injuries for 34%. To reduce the risk of knee and ankle injuries, bandages are often wrapped around the knees and ankles. While these bandages provide some support and cushioning during impact, traditional non-elastic bandages restrict joint movement and offer limited protection against blunt force trauma. On the other hand, while elastic bandages offer greater flexibility, they cannot prevent joint inversion and blunt force trauma. Therefore, there is still a need in the field for protective clothing that provides sufficient support and a comfortable fit.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention solves this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This section aims to summarize some aspects of the embodiments of the present invention and to further briefly describe some embodiments. Simplifications or omissions may be made in this section, as well as in the abstract and headings of the invention, to avoid obscuring the purpose of this section, abstract, and headings, and such simplifications or omissions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems with protective clothing, the present invention proposes a protective clothing that provides sufficient support and a comfortable fit even in the case of blunt trauma.

[0008] Therefore, in one aspect of the present invention, a rate-sensitive protective garment is provided, the garment comprising a fabric shell, a first sealing material layer located within the fabric shell, a second sealing material layer located within the fabric shell, and a shear-thickening fluid core disposed between the first and second sealing material layers, wherein the sealing material layer has fibers extending toward the interior of the protective garment and embedded in the shear-thickening fluid core, wherein the shear-thickening fluid core comprises a shear-thickening fluid, and the shear-thickening fluid is in direct contact with the sealing material and the fibers.

[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second sealing material layers are treated with a coupling agent selected from 3-triethoxysilylpropyl isocyanate or 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane.

[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the first and second sealing material layers are modified with 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the width of the fabric shell is greater than the width of the first sealing material layer, the second sealing material layer, and the shear-thickening fluid core.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, the length of the fiber is between 1 and 12 millimeters.

[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, the fiber is selected from natural fibers or man-made fibers.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the density of the fiber on the first and second sealing material layers is in the range of 1-20 fibers per square centimeter.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the shear-thickening fluid comprises nanoparticles or nanowires suspended in polyethylene glycol.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, the mass ratio of the nanoparticles or nanowires to the polyethylene glycol is 1:1 to 2.5:1.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, the first and second sealing material layers are selected from silicone resin, latex, chloroprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, or any combination thereof.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the fabric shell is composed of an elastic fabric capable of adapting to complex curvatures.

[0019] In another aspect of the invention, a method for preparing a rate-sensitive protective garment is provided, comprising providing a first outer shell and coating the first fabric outer shell with a first sealing material to form a first sealing material layer; next, flocking a first fiber onto the first sealing material layer; subsequently, providing a second fabric outer shell and coating the second fabric outer shell with a second sealing material to form a second sealing material layer; flocking a second fiber onto the second sealing material layer; then bonding the edges of the first sealing material layer and the second sealing material layer together; and finally, injecting or printing a shear-thickening fluid between the first and second sealing material layers to form a shear-thickening fluid core.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the method further includes treating the rate-sensitive protective clothing with a coupling agent selected from 3-triethoxysilylpropyl isocyanate or 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane.

[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, the method further includes modifying the rate-sensitive protective clothing with 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the width of the fabric shell is greater than the width of the first sealing material layer, the second sealing material layer, and the shear-thickening fluid core.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the lengths of the first and second fibers are in the range of 1-12 mm.

[0024] In another embodiment of the invention, the densities of the first and second fibers on the first and second sealing material layers are both in the range of 1-20 fibers / cm².

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, the shear-thickening fluid comprises nanoparticles or nanowires suspended in polyethylene glycol.

[0026] In another embodiment of the invention, the mass ratio of the nanoparticles or nanowires to the polyethylene glycol is 1:1 to 2.5:1.

[0027] In another embodiment of the invention, the first and second sealing material layers are selected from silicone resin, latex, chloroprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, or any combination thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments will be briefly described below. It is worth noting that the following description of the drawings is only a partial embodiment of the present invention. Based on these drawings, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that other drawings can be obtained without creative effort, wherein:

[0029] Figure 1A This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the overall structure of a rate-sensitive protective suit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 1B This is another cross-sectional schematic diagram of a rate-sensitive protective suit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2A and 2B These are, respectively, a stress-strain diagram and a rate-sensitive strain diagram of a rate-sensitive protective suit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3A and 3B These are stress-strain diagrams and rate-sensitive strain diagrams of a rate-sensitive protective suit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figures 4A to 4E These are stress-strain diagrams of rate-sensitive protective suits according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0034] Figures 5A to 5E These are rate-sensitive strain diagrams of rate-sensitive protective clothing according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0035] Figures 6A to 6E A schematic diagram illustrating a method for preparing rate-sensitive protective clothing in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 6A Displaying the first casing; Figure 6B This shows a portion of the first housing covered by the first sealing material; Figure 6C This demonstrates embedding the first fiber into the first sealing material; Figure 6D This shows a cross-sectional view of the second outer shell, the second sealing material, and the second fiber bonded together with the first outer shell, the first sealing material, and the first fiber; and Figure 6E This is a cross-sectional view of the final product of the rate-sensitive protective suit;

[0037] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a rate-sensitive protective suit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 8A and 8B This diagram illustrates a method for processing rate-sensitive protective clothing in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8A Display of oxygen plasma treatment; and Figure 8B Display of silane coupling agent treatment;

[0039] Figures 9A to 9D This diagram shows a representative chemical structure of the coupling agent used in the preparation of rate-sensitive protective clothing in some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 9A It has the chemical structure of 3-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane; Figure 9B Show the chemical structure of N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)ethylenediamine; Figure 9C Show the chemical structure of 3-triethoxysilylpropyl isocyanate; and Figure 9D Show the chemical structure of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane;

[0040] Figures 10A to 10D Stress-strain curves of rate-sensitive protective clothing according to certain embodiments of the present invention are shown respectively.

[0041] Figures 11A to 11D Rate sensitivity curves of rate-sensitive protective clothing according to certain embodiments of the present invention are shown respectively;

[0042] Figures 12A to 12C This diagram illustrates a method for modifying the surface of a rate-sensitive protective suit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12A Display of oxygen plasma treatment; Figure 12B Display of silane coupling agent treatment; and Figure 12C Surface modification is shown;

[0043] Figure 13 This diagram shows a representative chemical structure of an organic compound used to modify the surface of a rate-sensitive protective suit, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figures 14A to 14B Stress-strain diagrams and rate-sensitive strain diagrams of rate-sensitive protective clothing according to some embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0045] Figures 15A to 15E Stress-strain diagrams of rate-sensitive protective suits according to certain embodiments of the present invention are shown respectively;

[0046] Figures 16A to 16E Rate-sensitive strain diagrams of rate-sensitive protective clothing according to certain embodiments of the present invention are shown respectively;

[0047] Figure 17A and 17B Stress-strain diagrams are shown for protective suits with and without a shear-thickening fluid core.

[0048] Figures 18A to 18D The texture patterns of rate-sensitive protective clothing from certain embodiments of the present invention are shown respectively; Figure 18A A pattern consisting of parallel lines of varying lengths; Figure 18B A pattern of densely dotted lines; Figure 18C A pattern of parallel straight lines spanning the surface; and Figure 18D A pattern of dense dots; and

[0049] Figures 19A to 19D Stress-strain diagrams of rate-sensitive protective suits according to certain embodiments of the present invention are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0050] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention readily understood, embodiments and related drawings will now be described in detail.

[0051] To provide a full understanding of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description. However, it should be understood that those skilled in the art will clearly recognize that the invention may be practiced in other ways without departing from the spirit of the invention, and therefore the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0052] As used herein, the term "fiber" refers to natural or man-made fibers, including but not limited to plant fibers, animal fibers, mineral fibers, regenerated fibers, synthetic fibers, and inorganic fibers.

[0053] See Figure 1A The image shows a cross-section of a rate-sensitive protective suit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the rate-sensitive protective suit 10 is a rectangular strip comprising a fabric shell 110, a first sealing material layer 120a, a second sealing material layer 120b, and a shear-thickening fluid core 130. The first and second sealing material layers 120a and 120b are located within the fabric shell 110 and opposite to each other, while the shear-thickening fluid core 130 is disposed between the first and second sealing material layers 120a and 120b, i.e., the shear-thickening fluid core 130 is sandwiched between the first and second sealing material layers 120a and 120b, and the fabric shell encloses the shear-thickening fluid core 130 and the first and second sealing layers 120a and 120b, wherein the fabric shell 110 has a larger width than the first and second sealing material layers 120a and 120b and the shear-thickening fluid core 130.

[0054] Fibers 122a and 122b are flocked onto the first and second sealing material layers 120a and 120b, so that these fibers 122a and 122b, originating from the respective first and second sealing material layers 120a and 120b, extend toward the interior of the protective suit and are combined with the shear-thickening fluid core 130 containing the shear-thickening fluid. Figure 1AAs shown, fibers 122a on the first sealing material layer 120a and fibers 122b on the second sealing material layer 120 do not overlap; however, in some embodiments, the lengths of fibers 122a and 122b cause them to overlap. The lengths of fibers 122a and 122b are approximately between 1 and 12 mm; in one embodiment, the fiber length is between 8 and 12 mm. The density of fibers 122a on the first sealing material layer 120a is between 1 and 20 fibers / cm²; in some embodiments, fibers 122b on the second sealing material layer 120b have the same density as fibers 122a; however, in other embodiments, fibers 122b have a different density than fibers 122a. Similarly, this variation can also be applied to the lengths of fibers 122a and 122b; more specifically, in one embodiment, the lengths of fibers 122a and 122b are substantially the same; in another embodiment, the lengths of fibers 122a and 122b are different. Fibers 122a and 122b are flocked onto sealing material layers 120a and 120b by electrostatic flocking, wherein the fibers can be made of materials such as polyamide, rayon, cotton or polyester.

[0055] See Figure 1B This shows another cross-sectional view of the rate-sensitive protective suit 10, which includes the shear-thickening fluid core 130 of the rate-sensitive protective suit 10. Because the shear-thickening fluid core 130 overlaps with it, it is impossible to... Figure 1B The first sealing material layer 120a is visible in the cross section; however, the fibers 122a rooted in the first sealing material layer 120a can be observed extending and embedding into the shear thickening fluid core 130 in this cross section.

[0056] In one embodiment, the shear-thickening fluid core comprises nanoparticles or nanowires and polyethylene glycol, wherein the nanoparticles or nanowires are suspended in the polyethylene glycol. In one embodiment, the nanoparticles are silica, and the solvent is polyethylene glycol, wherein the mass ratio of the nanoparticles or nanowires to polyethylene glycol is between 1:1 and 2.5:1. In another embodiment, the mass ratio of the nanoparticles or nanowires to polyethylene glycol is 2.3:1. When the shear rate increases above a critical value, the viscosity of the shear-thickening fluid core increases as a result of the sudden aggregation of the nanoparticles or nanowires.

[0057] When rate-sensitive protective clothing is stretched, the internal friction between the fibers and the shear-thickening fluid core exhibits rate-sensitive characteristics due to the shear thickening effect of the fluid. Furthermore, the fiber length affects the rate sensitivity of this internal friction. Once the internal friction between the fibers and the shear-thickening fluid exceeds a certain threshold, the excessively high friction prevents further stretching of the protective clothing. Therefore, an evaluation of the effect of fiber length on rate sensitivity will be conducted.

[0058] refer to Figure 2A-2B , Figures 3A-3B This illustrates the stress-strain characteristics between fibers of different lengths and rate-sensitive protective clothing. Figure 3A and Figure 3B In comparison, Figure 2A and Figure 2B The rate-sensitive protective clothing used has shorter fibers; more specifically, in Figure 2A In the experiment, protective clothing with fibers of 12.5 mm in length was stretched at rates of 50 mm / min and 500 mm / min. The upper curve represents the result of stretching at 500 mm / min, while the lower curve represents the result of stretching at 50 mm / min. The rate sensitivity was calculated by dividing the load (N) below 500 mm / min by the load (N) below 50 mm / min. The result is shown below. Figure 2B As shown, it is worth noting that the rate sensitivity tests for the following different samples were all calculated using the method described above.

[0059] like Figure 3A As shown, a protective suit with fibers of 25 mm in length was stretched at 50 mm / min and 500 mm / min. Similarly, the upper curve represents the result of stretching at 500 mm / min, while the lower curve shows the result of stretching at 50 mm / min. The corresponding rate sensitivity results are as follows: Figure 3B As shown, protective clothing with longer fibers exhibits higher rate sensitivity. In other words, when rate-sensitive protective clothing contains longer fibers, the internal friction between the fibers and the shear-thickening fluid core is more responsive to the tensile rate.

[0060] See Figures 4A to 4E The stress-strain characteristics of rate-sensitive protective clothing with fibers of different lengths were tested. Figures 4A to 4E The fibers in the test were 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 mm in length, and all fibers were treated with O2 plasma and tested at tensile rates of 50 mm / min and 500 mm / min, respectively.

[0061] like Figure 4A As shown, the rate-sensitive protective clothing contains fibers with a length of 3 mm. The upper curve represents the result of stretching at 500 mm / min, while the lower curve corresponds to stretching at 50 mm / min. Similarly, in Figures 4B to 4E The same method is used in the diagram, with each figure representing the use of different fiber lengths, for example, Figure 4E In the case of the rate-sensitive protective suit, the fiber is 12 mm long, with the upper curve representing the result of stretching at 500 mm / min and the lower curve representing the result of stretching at 50 mm / min.

[0062] See Figures 5A to 5E The figure calculates and displays the rate sensitivity of five rate-sensitive protective suits, with the dashed line representing the rate sensitivity baseline of 2.5. As shown, under relatively low strain, the increase in fibers in the rate-sensitive protective suit can significantly improve the peak rate sensitivity.

[0063] exist Figure 5A In the example, a rate-sensitive protective suit with fibers 3 mm in length exhibits a peak rate sensitivity at approximately 2; see also Figure 5C and 5D When the fiber thickness of the rate-sensitive protective suit is 8 mm and 10 mm respectively, the rate sensitivity of the suit can be increased to a range between 2.0 and 2.5; Figure 5E As shown, when the fiber length of the rate-sensitive protective clothing is 12 mm, the peak rate sensitivity is approximately 2.5. It is worth noting that the fiber length can exceed 12 mm, for example, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, or even longer. Generally, the fiber length ranges from 0.5 mm to 50 mm.

[0064] Figures 6A to 6E This illustrates a method 1000 for preparing rate-sensitive protective clothing. First, as... Figure 6A As shown, a first housing 612 is provided; in one embodiment, the first housing 612 is made of an elastic fabric and can be shaped according to a desired form. Next, as... Figure 6B As shown, a first sealing material 614 is introduced, and the first sealing material 614 covers a portion of the first housing 612. It is worth noting that the size of the first sealing material 614 is smaller than that of the first housing 612. The first sealing material 614 can be made of various materials, including silicone resin, latex, neoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, and EPDM rubber. Finally, as... Figure 6C As shown, in subsequent steps, fibers 616 are embedded into the first sealing material 614 through an electrostatic flocking process.

[0065] As used herein, the term "electrostatic flocking" is a textile engineering technique that drives microfibers toward a substrate using Coulomb force, leaving behind neatly arranged clusters of fibers. The surface may optionally include an adhesive or be made adhesive to bond the fibers.

[0066] After electrostatically flocking the fiber 616 onto the first sealing material 614, the following method is used: Figures 6A to 6C The other half of the rate-sensitive protective suit was prepared using the same method described above. For example... Figure 6DThe diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a partially completed rate-sensitive protective suit, in which the subsequently formed second shell 622, second sealing material 624, and fiber 626 are firmly bonded to the first shell 612, first sealing material 614, and fiber 616. Adhesives can be used to ensure adhesion between these layers, such as silicone adhesive sealants.

[0067] like Figure 6E As shown, a shear-thickening fluid core 618 is formed between a first sealing material 614 and a second sealing material 624, wherein the shear-thickening fluid core 618 can be introduced into and fill the space between the first sealing material 614 and the second sealing material 624 by injection or printing. Fibers 616 and 626 may extend from the first sealing material 614 and the second sealing material 624, respectively, and be embedded in the shear-thickening fluid core 618, meaning that a portion of the fibers 616 and 626 is wound within the first and second sealing materials 614 and 624, while the remainder is embedded within the shear-thickening fluid core 618.

[0068] See Figure 7 This image shows a perspective view of a rate-sensitive protective suit 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rate-sensitive protective suit 12 includes outer shells 612 and 622, a first sealing material 614 and a second sealing material 624, fibers 616 and 626 (not shown) interwoven with the first and second sealing materials 614 and 624, a shear-thickening fluid core 618, and adhesive 632, wherein the shear-thickening fluid core 618 is located between the first sealing material 614 and the second sealing material 624. It is worth noting that... Figure 7 The fiber 616 shown represents only a portion of its overall distribution (for reference only). Figure 6D As can be seen, fibers 616 and 626 are flocked onto the surfaces of the first sealing material 614 and the second sealing material 624, respectively. Adhesive 632 is applied to the original edges of the first housing 612 and the second housing 622 to encapsulate the first sealing material 614 and the second sealing material 624.

[0069] In some embodiments, the sealing materials and fibers used are additionally treated before the rate-sensitive protective clothing is prepared. See also Figure 8A In one embodiment, the sealing material and fibers are subjected to an oxygen plasma treatment 810 at 200 watts for 10 minutes. It is noteworthy that the oxygen plasma treatment is performed only on the semi-finished product comprising the housing 612a, the first sealing material 614a, and the fiber 616a. The oxygen plasma treatment 810 can induce the formation of polar functional groups on the surface of the first sealing material 614a; for example, if the sealing material is silicone rubber, the resulting functional groups are primarily silanol groups (SiOH), which can change the surface properties of the sealing material from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Next, as... Figure 8BAs shown, the plasma-treated shell 612b, the first sealing material 614b, and the fiber 616b are immersed in the silane coupling agent 820. The silane coupling agent enhances the bonding between the first sealing material 614b and the shear-thickening fluid core 618, as well as the bonding between the fiber 616b and the shear-dethickening fluid core 614.

[0070] See Figures 9A to 9D Four different silane coupling agents were used for treatment, such as Figure 9A As shown, the silane coupling agent is 3-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane; such as Figure 9B As shown, the silane coupling agent is N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)ethylenediamine; such as Figure 9C As shown, the silane coupling agent is 3-triethoxysilylpropyl isocyanate; such as Figure 9D As shown, the silane coupling agent is 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. In one embodiment, 1 wt% of the silane coupling agent is dissolved in 95% ethanol for 2 hours, followed by drying the first sealing material, fiber, and shell at 120°C for 1 hour. In another embodiment, after treatment with the silane coupling agent, a second oxygen plasma treatment is performed, which enhances the hydrophilicity of the sealing material surface.

[0071] See Figures 10A to 10D Rate-sensitive protective clothing with 12mm fibers was treated with 3-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane, N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)ethylenediamine, 3-triethoxysilyl isocyanate, and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, respectively, and its stress-strain properties were tested at 50 mm / min and 500 mm / min. See [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 10A The figures show the test results for rate-sensitive protective clothing treated with 3-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane, where the upper curve represents the results of a 500 mm / min tensile test and the lower curve represents the results of a 50 mm / min tensile test; similarly, see... Figure 10B The graph shows the test results of rate-sensitive protective clothing treated with N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)ethylenediamine. The upper curve represents the results of a tensile test at 500 mm / min, and the lower curve represents the results of a tensile test at 50 mm / min. See also... Figure 10CThe results show the test results of rate-sensitive protective clothing treated with 3-triethoxysilylpropyl isocyanate, with the upper curve corresponding to the results of a 500 mm / min tensile test and the lower curve corresponding to the results of a 50 mm / min tensile test; finally, Figure 10D The results of the test on the rate-sensitive protective clothing treated with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane are shown. The upper curve represents the results from the 500 mm / min tensile test, and the lower curve represents the results from the 50 mm / min tensile test.

[0072] See Figures 11A to 11D The graph shows the rate sensitivity of the four rate-sensitive protective suits treated with silane coupling agents, with the dashed line representing the baseline value of 2.5. The graph clearly shows that treatment with silane coupling agents significantly improves rate sensitivity. For example, as... Figure 5E As shown, when a rate-sensitive protective suit with 12mm fibers is not treated with a silane coupling agent, its peak rate sensitivity falls around 2.5; however, after treatment with a silane coupling agent, the rate sensitivity can be increased to a reference value exceeding 2.5. It is noteworthy that treatment with 3-triethoxysilylpropyl isocyanate (…) Figure 11C ) and treatment with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane ( Figure 11D Both can improve the rate sensitivity of protective clothing to 3.0.

[0073] In one embodiment of the invention, the sealing material and fibers treated with a silane coupling agent are surface modified. See also Figures 12A to 12C ,like Figure 12A As shown, the outer casing 612a, sealing material 614a, and fiber 616a are subjected to oxygen plasma treatment 810, in one embodiment, an oxygen plasma treatment at 200W for 10 minutes; then, as... Figure 12B As shown, the outer casing 612b, sealing material 614b, and fiber 616b are treated with silane coupling agent 820. In one embodiment, the outer casing 612b, sealing material 614b, and fiber 616b are immersed in a silane coupling agent solution consisting of 1 wt% silane coupling agent dissolved in 95% ethanol for 2 hours, and then dried at 120°C for 1 hour; subsequently, as... Figure 12CAs shown, the surfaces of the outer shell 612c, sealing material 614c, and fiber 616c are immersed in a modification solution for surface modification 830 by means of knife coating or immersion. This surface modification process can change the surface properties of the sealing material layer from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. More specifically, the initial oxygen plasma treatment changes the surface of the sealing material from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, while the subsequent surface modification extends the hydrophilic properties to the remaining hydrophobic region by introducing hydrophilic functional groups (such as hydroxyl groups) to the surface of the sealing material. Through this modification, stronger interfacial forces are generated between the shear thickening fluid, the sealing material, and the fiber when they are bonded together.

[0074] In one embodiment, the modified solution comprises 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, such as... Figure 13 The representative chemical structure of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate is shown. In this embodiment, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate provides hydroxyl groups (-OH groups) to the surface of the sealing material. The introduction of -OH groups increases the hydrophilicity of the sealing material and the fiber.

[0075] See Figure 14A Rate-sensitive protective clothing with 12mm fibers was tested under tensile conditions of 50 mm / min and 500 mm / min. The protective clothing was treated with oxygen plasma, treated with silane coupling agent (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane), and surface modified (2-hydroxyethyl acrylate was applied by knife at 120°C). Figure 14A The upper curve represents the results of a tensile test at 500 mm / min, while the lower curve represents the results of a tensile test at 50 mm / min. To further evaluate performance, in... Figure 14B The rate sensitivity of the rate-sensitive protective suit was calculated and displayed. Clearly, after the above treatment, the rate sensitivity increased to over 3.0. Goodbye. Figure 10D and 11D The rate-sensitive protective clothing samples underwent the same treatment process, except that they were not surface-modified. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the rate sensitivity of the unmodified rate-sensitive protective clothing could not reach 3.0. These results highlight the importance of surface modification in improving the rate sensitivity of protective clothing.

[0076] Table 1 shows the various formulations of shear-thickening fluid cores, where “PEG200” represents polyethylene glycol 200, “PPG2000” represents polypropylene glycol 2000, and “MWCNT” represents multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The units of measurement for the components are grams.

[0077] Table 1

[0078]

[0079]

[0080] See Figures 15A to 15E The stress-strain results of rate-sensitive protective clothing samples are shown. These rate-sensitive protective clothing samples, labeled S1 to S5, contain shear-thickening fluid cores with different formulations. They all have 12 mm long fibers and have undergone silane coupling agent treatment and surface modification. In each stress-strain plot, the upper curve represents the results of a 500 mm / min test, while the lower curve represents the results of a 50 mm / min test. Figure 16A Up to 1 Figure 6E The figure shows the velocity sensitivity of velocity-sensitive protective suits S1 to S5, with the dashed line representing the baseline value of 3.0. Overall, velocity-sensitive protective suits S1 to S5 exhibit excellent velocity sensitivity exceeding 3.0. It is worth noting that... Figure 15B and Figure 16B As shown, sample S2 exhibits a rate sensitivity of approximately 3.5.

[0081] Table 2 shows the drop ball test results for velocity-sensitive protective suits S1 to S5. The initial impact force was approximately 2500 N, and the average transmitted force (ATF) was recorded by a force sensor placed below the sample. The drop ball test results show that the velocity-sensitive protective devices S1 to S5 effectively reduce the average transmitted force. All velocity-sensitive protective suits S1 to S5 exhibited a force reduction effect greater than 65%, and velocity-sensitive protective suit S4 showed a force reduction effect of approximately 80% when subjected to impact.

[0082] Table 2

[0083] sample Thickness (mm) Average transmitted force (N) Force reduction effect S1 2.38 793 68％ S2 2.16 698 72％ S3 2.40 860 66％ S4 2.41 562 78％ S5 2.53 648 74％

[0084] See Figure 17A and Figure 17B The performance of protective suits with and without shear-thickening fluid cores was tested. Figure 17A The results shown are those of a protective suit with a shear-thickening fluid core. The upper curve represents a stretch of 500 mm / min, and the lower curve represents a stretch of 50 mm / min. Figure 17B The figures presented show the test results for protective suits without a shear-thickening fluid core. The upper curve represents a stretch of 500 mm / min, and the lower curve represents a stretch of 50 mm / min. Clearly, protective suits with a shear-thickening fluid core exhibit greater sensitivity to stretching.

[0085] See Figures 18A to 18D This displays different textured patterns created by applying a knife to the fabric outer shell and sealing material layers. Figure 18A In the middle, the pattern includes alternating parallel lines of varying lengths; in Figure 18B In the middle, the pattern is made up of densely dotted lines; in Figure 18CIn the middle, the pattern consists of parallel straight lines that span the surfaces of the fabric outer shell and the sealing material layer; in Figure 18D In the middle, the pattern is a dense dot.

[0086] See Figures 19A to 19D The effects of different texture patterns on stress-strain characteristics were examined through tensile tests.

[0087] As used herein, the terms “approximately,” “substantially,” “essentially,” and “about” are used to describe and explain a small variation. When used in conjunction with an event or situation, the term can refer to the exact occurrence of the event or situation, or approximately the occurrence of the event or situation. When used herein to describe a setpoint or range, the term “about” generally refers to a range of ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, or ±0.5% of the setpoint or range, which can be understood herein as extending from one endpoint to another or between two endpoints. Unless otherwise stated, all ranges disclosed in this disclosure include endpoints. The term “substantially coplanar” can refer to two surfaces along the same plane and within a few micrometers (μm) of each other, for example, within 10 μm, 5 μm, 1 μm, or 0.5 μm located along the same plane. When referring to “substantially” identical values ​​or characteristics, the term can refer to values ​​within ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, or ±0.5% of the average of the values.

[0088] The foregoing description of the present invention is provided for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0089] The above embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling other skilled in the art to understand the various embodiments of the invention and the various modifications suitable for the intended particular use.

Claims

1. A rate-sensitive protective suit, characterized in that, include: Fabric casing; A first sealing material layer is located inside the fabric outer shell; A second sealing material layer is located inside the fabric outer shell; as well as A shear-thickening fluid core, located between the first and second sealing material layers; The first sealing material layer and the second sealing material layer have fibers that extend toward the interior of the protective suit and are embedded in the shear-thickening fluid core; The shear-thickening fluid core includes a shear-thickening fluid that is in direct contact with the first and second sealing materials and the fibers; and The first and second sealing material layers are treated with a coupling agent selected from 3-triethoxysilylpropyl isocyanate or 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane.

2. The rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sealing material layers are modified with 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate.

3. The rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 1, wherein the width of the fabric outer shell is greater than the width of the first sealing material layer, the second sealing material layer and the shear-thickening fluid core.

4. The rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 1, wherein the length of the fibers is in the range of 1-12 mm.

5. The rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 1, wherein the density of the fibers in the first and second sealing material layers is in the range of 1-20 fibers / cm².

6. The rate-sensitive protective suit according to claim 1, wherein the shear-thickening fluid core comprises polyethylene glycol and nanoparticles or nanowires, wherein the nanoparticles or nanowires are suspended in the polyethylene glycol.

7. The rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 6, wherein the mass ratio of the nanoparticles or nanowires to the polyethylene glycol is 1:1 to 2.5:

1.

8. The rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing material layer and the second sealing material layer are selected from silicone resin, latex, neoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, or any combination thereof.

9. The rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 1, wherein the fabric shell is composed of an elastic fabric that conforms to complex curvatures.

10. A method for preparing rate-sensitive protective clothing, characterized in that, include: Provide a first fabric outer shell; A first sealing material layer is formed by coating the first fabric shell with a first sealing material; The first fiber is flocked onto the first sealing material layer; Provide a second fabric outer shell; A second sealing material layer is formed by coating the second fabric shell with a second sealing material; The second fiber is flocked onto the second sealing material layer; The edges of the first sealing material layer and the second sealing material layer are bonded together; as well as A shear-thickening fluid is injected or printed between the first and second sealing material layers to form a shear-thickening fluid core, wherein the first fiber and the second fiber extend from the first sealing material layer and the second sealing material layer, respectively, and are embedded in the shear-thickening fluid core; The first and second sealing material layers are treated with a coupling agent, and the coupling agent is selected from 3-triethoxysilylpropyl isocyanate or 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane.

11. The method for preparing rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 10, further comprising: The first and second sealing material layers are modified with 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate.

12. The method for preparing rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 10, wherein the widths of the first and second fabric shells are greater than the widths of the first sealing material layer, the second sealing material layer, and the shear-thickening fluid core.

13. The method for preparing rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 10, wherein the lengths of the first fiber and the second fiber are in the range of 1-12 mm.

14. The method for preparing rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 10, wherein the densities of the first and second fibers on the first and second sealing material layers are both in the range of 1-20 fibers / cm².

15. The method for preparing rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 10, wherein the shear-thickening fluid core comprises polyethylene glycol and nanoparticles or nanowires, wherein the nanoparticles or nanowires are suspended in the polyethylene glycol.

16. The method for preparing rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 15, wherein the mass ratio of the nanoparticles or nanowires to the polyethylene glycol is 1:1 to 2.5:

1.

17. The method for preparing rate-sensitive protective clothing according to claim 10, wherein the first sealing material layer and the second sealing material layer are selected from silicone resin, latex, neoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, or any combination thereof.

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