A shape memory alloy based morphing color-changing composite fabric and a method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The application provides a shape-changing color-changing composite fabric based on a memory alloy and a manufacturing method thereof, the composite fabric comprising four layers, a bottom layer composed of cloth, a memory alloy layer composed of a memory alloy, a resistance wire layer composed of a conductive wire, and an elastic wire layer composed of a silk thread, wherein the four layers are arranged in the following order from bottom to top: the bottom layer, the memory alloy layer, the resistance wire layer, and the elastic wire layer. The composite fabric has a simple structure and supports shape-changing and color-changing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fabrics, and more specifically, to a deformable and color-changing composite fabric based on shape memory alloy and its manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0002] Fabric products are ubiquitous in daily life, and in some situations, fabric products with dynamic capabilities such as color-changing and deformation can significantly enhance the user experience. For example, textile flower decorations can have dynamic changes such as turning red and petals unfolding to simulate the effect of blooming.

[0003] However, current implementations of deformable fabric interfaces are often structurally complex, and there is no simple and feasible solution that can simultaneously support color-changing and deformable fabrics. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the related art. Therefore, one object of this invention is to provide a color-changing and shape-deforming fabric, the manufacturing method of which is relatively simple and the raw materials are relatively readily available.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a composite fabric. According to an embodiment of the invention, the composite fabric comprises four layers.

[0006] The bottom layer is made of fabric;

[0007] A shape memory alloy layer, wherein the shape memory alloy layer is composed of a shape memory alloy;

[0008] A resistance wire layer, wherein the resistance wire layer is composed of conductive wires;

[0009] An elastic filament layer, the elastic filament layer being composed of filaments;

[0010] The four layers, from bottom to top, are the bottom layer, the shape memory alloy layer, the resistance wire layer, and the elastic wire layer. This composite fabric has a simple structure, can change color and shape, and the raw materials are relatively readily available. The bottom layer can also be referred to as the lower layer.

[0011] According to embodiments of the present invention, the above-mentioned composite fabric may further include at least one of the following additional technical features:

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the composite fabric further includes an upper layer.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper layer is made of fabric.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper layer is located above the elastic filament layer.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper fabric and the lower fabric are fixed together by sewing. The upper fabric can be added selectively, depending on whether both sides require a woven fabric surface.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fabric is a lightweight fabric.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fabric has low elasticity.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fabric is easy to dye.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fabric is selected to be relatively thin, with low elasticity, and easy to dye. The selected fabric is thin, so it has low damping when deformed; the fabric has low elasticity, so it is possible to automatically embroider specific patterns on it; and the fabric is easy to dye, and specific areas on it are dyed with thermochromic pigments so that the dyed areas change color when heated.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shape memory alloy is a shape memory alloy wire.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the shape memory alloy wire is 0.1mm-0.3mm.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the shape memory alloy wire is 0.15 mm.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the phase transition temperature of the shape memory alloy wire is 40℃-45℃.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shape memory alloy layer is embroidered onto the underlying fabric using an automatic embroidery technique.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shape memory alloy layer uses fine shape memory alloy wires, which are embroidered onto the underlying fabric using an automatic embroidery technique according to a specific pattern. When the shape memory alloy is heated, it undergoes a phase transition, thereby driving the deformation of the composite fabric.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shape memory alloy layer is made of shape memory alloy wires with a diameter ranging from 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, which are embroidered onto the underlying fabric according to a certain pattern. At room temperature, the shape memory alloy wires are similar to ordinary hard threads, exhibiting relatively low elasticity; however, when heated, they undergo a phase change, generating elastic force, which in turn drives the fabric to deform. The larger the diameter of the shape memory alloy wire, the greater the force generated by the phase change, and therefore the stronger its ability to drive deformation.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wire is an enameled conductive wire.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the enameled conductive wire is 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the enameled conductive wire is 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heating temperature range of the resistance wire layer is 40℃-60℃.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, after the shape memory alloy layer is embroidered, the resistance wire layer is then embroidered onto the underlying fabric using automatic embroidery technology.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the resistance wire layer uses a fine enameled conductive wire, which is embroidered onto the underlying fabric using an automatic embroidery technique after the shape memory alloy layer is embroidered according to a specific pattern. The outer layer of the enameled conductive wire has an insulating varnish to ensure that there is no short circuit during the embroidery process. When current is passed through the enameled conductive wire, it will generate heat, causing the composite fabric within the pattern coverage area to heat up. This, in turn, causes the overlapping portions of the shape memory alloy layer pattern to deform due to heat, and the overlapping portions of the dyeing areas of the underlying / upper fabric to change color due to heat.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the resistance wire layer uses enameled conductive wires with diameters ranging from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, which are embroidered onto the underlying fabric after the shape memory alloy layer is embroidered according to a specific pattern. When current is passed through the embroidered enameled conductive wires, they generate heat, causing the composite fabric filling the patterned portion of the resistance wire layer to heat up. For the same type of enameled conductive wire, a larger diameter results in a lower resistance per unit length, stronger heating capacity under a given voltage, and a higher temperature; conversely, for the same type of enameled conductive wire, a smaller diameter results in lower bending resistance. Generally, the heating temperature range of the resistance wire layer is between 40℃ and 60℃.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the yarn is abrasion-resistant yarn.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wire is a hard, abrasion-resistant wire.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the filament is 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, after the resistance wire layer is embroidered, the elastic wire layer is then embroidered onto the bottom fabric using automatic embroidery technology.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic yarn layer is first embroidered onto the underlying fabric using finer, stiffer, abrasion-resistant yarns according to a specific pattern, after the resistance yarn layer has been embroidered, using automatic embroidery technology to form an elastic yarn fixing layer. The embroidery path has jumps, creating perforations between the elastic yarns and the underlying fabric. The stiff elastic yarns are then passed through these perforations and fixed into the composite fabric. In its default state, the elastic yarns form a preset bending shape, causing the fabric material to form a preset structure by default. When the composite fabric is heated and deformed, and the temperature drops, the elastic yarns pull the composite fabric back to its default structure.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic filament layer is first made of fine, stiff, and abrasion-resistant thread, which is then embroidered onto the underlying fabric as a fixing thread after the resistance wire layer has been embroidered according to a certain pattern. The embroidery path of the fixing thread has jumps, forming perforations for inserting the elastic filament. After the fixing thread is embroidered, a stiff elastic filament with a certain initial bending shape is passed through the perforation and fixed to the fabric. The elasticity of the elastic filament must be between the bending resistance of the resistance wire layer and the shape memory alloy layer at room temperature and the elasticity of the shape memory alloy layer after phase change. These conditions ensure that the fabric recovers the shape formed by the elastic filament at room temperature, while upon heating, the shape memory alloy wire undergoes a phase change, overcoming the elasticity of the elastic filament and deforming the fabric.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom and (optionally) top fabrics are dyed using thermochromic pigments. The dyed areas contained within the resistance wire layer filling area will heat up and change color after the resistance wire is energized. The thermochromic pigment needs to ensure that its color-changing temperature range is between the designed room temperature and the highest temperature that the resistance wire can maintain after being energized, so that color changes occur when the resistance wire layer heats up and cools down.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fabric includes thermochromic pigments.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the thermochromic pigment is a fuel that changes color at 40°C.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the thermochromic pigment is a vinyl blend.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shape memory alloy is composed of nickel-chromium shape memory alloy wire with a diameter of 0.15 mm and a phase transformation temperature of about 40°C.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the conductive wire is 34AWG, 180℃ resistant Litz wire.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the yarn is 34AWG, 180℃ heat-resistant Litz yarn.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fabric is a white cotton-linen fabric.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the resistance wire layer of the fabric is energized, it will heat up, causing a phase change in the shape memory alloy layer and resulting in fabric deformation; simultaneously, the thermochromic pigment will change color; the degree of fabric deformation and color change will vary depending on the magnitude of the applied current. When the resistance wire layer of the fabric is de-energized, it will slowly cool down, and the elastic fibers will drive the fabric to return to its initial shape. Therefore, this composite fabric can support reversible color change and deformation processes. Attached Figure Description

[0049] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0050] Figure 1 This is a general structural diagram of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the flower structure according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 3 The image shows a flower (including both open and closed states) according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a single petal structure according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the unfolded structure of a single petal according to a specific embodiment of the present invention (an embroidery pattern designed using Rhino7 software);

[0055] Figure 6 This is a photograph of a petal from a specific embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0056] The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0057] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0058] The present invention will now be described with reference to specific embodiments. It should be noted that these embodiments are merely descriptive and do not limit the present invention in any way.

[0059] Example 1

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment presents a flower structure with four color-changing, deformable fabric petals. When electricity is applied, the petals open and turn red; when the power is off, the petals close and return to white, thus reversibly simulating the effect of opening and closing. See the attached image for a detailed effect. Figure 3 .

[0061] The structure of this embodiment includes: a central stigma of the flower, a flower base, and four color-changing and deformable fabric petals based on the principles of this disclosure.

[0062] In this embodiment, both the central stigma of the flower and the flower base are static structures, such as... Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, it is made of 3D printed ABS material.

[0063] In this embodiment, the four petals have the same structure, all being the composite fabric described in this disclosure, as shown in the schematic diagram below. Figure 4 As shown. The petal shape parameters are as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the petal-shaped structure, the specific design scheme of each layer, and the manufacturing method are described in detail below.

[0064] In this embodiment, the technical parameters such as the petal shape, structure, and selection of different layered filaments are described below for reference. Figure 5The petals are wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, similar to the shape of a magnolia flower petal, with a maximum width of 41.6 mm and a petal length of 80.2 mm. The outer contour of the elastic filament layer is similar to that of the petals, with a maximum width of 40.5 mm. The maximum width of the resistance filament layer is 40.0 mm, almost filling the entire petal area. The shape memory alloy layer is arranged in a serpentine pattern, filling a rectangular area with a width of 14.1 mm and a length of approximately 50 mm to support the unfolding and deformation of the petals. The upper and lower layers of the petals are made of lightweight cotton-linen fabric with a white base. The elastic and resistance wire layers are both made of 34AWG, 180℃ heat-resistant Litz thread, with a diameter range of 0.1mm to 1.0mm. The shape memory alloy layer is made of 0.15mm diameter nickel-chromium shape memory alloy wire with a phase transition temperature of approximately 40℃, with a diameter range of 0.1mm to 1.0mm. The thermochromic pigments for the upper and lower layers are made by dissolving colorless to red pigment powder at 40℃ in a vinyl immersion liquid. The stitching design for each layer is drawn and programmed using Rhino7 software and exported as a .pes file, then embroidered using a Brother M370 sewing and embroidery machine. The above technical parameters and material selections are one feasible solution; any method with the same or similar technical parameters or material selections can be used as an alternative to this embodiment.

[0065] In this embodiment, reference Figure 5 As shown, the shape memory alloy layer pattern uses closely spaced parallel serpentine lines arranged along the center line of the petals. The center-to-center spacing of the parallel sections of the serpentine lines is 0.82 mm, with a total of 19 parallel lines side by side. The selected shape memory alloy is a nickel-titanium shape memory alloy wire with a wire diameter of 0.15 mm, a phase transformation temperature of 40-45℃, and a linear phase transformation morphology. When heated and undergoing a phase transformation, the shape memory alloy wire tends to straighten, overcoming the elastic force of the elastic wire, allowing the petal structure to unfold. It should be noted that the shape memory alloy layer pattern and wire material selection used in this embodiment are only one feasible solution. Theoretically, the larger the diameter of the shape memory alloy wire and the more parallel lines, the greater the force generated by its straightening and the larger the unfolding angle. The selectable wire diameter can range from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm.

[0066] In this embodiment, reference Figure 5As shown, the resistance wire layer uses two filling schemes to fill the petal area, with some overlap to ensure the stability of the petal structure. The selected resistance wire is 34AWG enameled Litz wire, with a temperature resistance of 180℃. When a current of 1.2-1.5V is applied, the petal temperature can rise to between 45-55℃. At the base of the petal, the resistance wire layer uses parallel serpentine lines arranged perpendicular to the shape memory alloy layer. The center-to-center spacing of the parallel serpentine lines is 1.0mm, filling the petal area and extending 49.0mm vertically (along the petal centerline). The serpentine line arrangement perpendicular to the petal centerline ensures that the resistance wire layer deformation generates less resistance when the petal unfolds and bends. At the top of the petal, the resistance wire layer uses a serpentine arrangement along equally divided transition curves on both sides of the petal, divided 25 times, so that the spacing between adjacent equally divided transition curves is about 1.0mm. Meanwhile, the two arrangement methods of the resistance wire layer overlap in the middle of the petal, making the upper part of the petal (the area not corresponding to the shape memory alloy layer) structurally stable and not easily deformed, while the overlapping area of ​​the shape memory alloy layer at the bottom is easy to bend. It should be noted that the resistance wire layer pattern, resistance wire material selection, and current magnitude used in this embodiment are only one feasible solution. Theoretically, the denser the resistance wire layer pattern, the greater the wire resistance, the greater the current, and the more obvious the heating effect. The wire diameter can be selected from 0.1mm to 1.0mm.

[0067] In this embodiment, reference Figure 5 As shown, the fixing wire of the elastic wire layer is embroidered using the corresponding pattern. The selected fixing wire is the same as that of the resistance wire layer. It should be noted that in this embodiment, any hard, abrasion-resistant wire can be used as a substitute for the fixing wire. Figure 4 , Figure 5 It demonstrates that jumps occur during the embroidery process of fixing the silk threads, forming perforations to secure the elastic threads.

[0068] In this embodiment, reference Figure 5 As shown, the elastic wire is a 0.1mm diameter, hard 304 stainless steel elastic wire, which is threaded into the hole formed by the fixing wire. It should be noted that the hard elastic wire used in this embodiment is only one feasible solution, and other wires with the same or similar properties can also be used as an implementation of the elastic wire material described in this disclosure.

[0069] In this embodiment, there is an upper layer of fabric, and both the upper and lower layers of fabric are cut into petal shapes.

[0070] In this embodiment, both the upper and lower layers of fabric are dyed with thermochromic pigments. The selected thermochromic pigment is a color-changing powder that changes from colorless to red at 40°C. This pigment is dissolved in a vinyl ester blending solution before being used to dye the fabric. It should be noted that the thermochromic pigment in this embodiment is only one feasible solution; other thermochromic pigments with the same or similar properties can also be used as an implementation method of the thermochromic pigment described in this invention.

[0071] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0072] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A composite fabric, characterized by, It comprises four layers, The bottom layer is made of cloth; the cloth is light and thin; the cloth has small elasticity; the cloth is easy to dye; the cloth comprises temperature-changing pigments; the temperature-changing pigments are 40℃ color-changing fuels; the temperature-changing pigments are vinyl blending liquids; The memory alloy layer is made of memory alloy; the memory alloy is memory alloy wire; the diameter of the memory alloy wire is 0.1mm-0.3mm; the phase transition temperature of the memory alloy wire is 40℃-45℃; the memory alloy layer is embroidered on the bottom layer of cloth by automatic embroidery technology; The resistance wire layer is made of conductive wire; the conductive wire is enameled conductive wire; the diameter of the enameled conductive wire is 0.1mm to 1mm; the heating temperature range of the resistance wire layer is 40℃-60℃; after the memory alloy layer is embroidered, the resistance wire layer is embroidered on the bottom layer of cloth by automatic embroidery technology; The elastic wire layer is made of wire; the wire is hard and wear-resistant wire; the diameter of the wire is 0.1mm to 1mm; after the resistance wire layer is embroidered, the hard and wear-resistant wire is embroidered on the bottom layer of cloth by automatic embroidery technology, forming an elastic wire fixing layer, which has a jumping path and forms some perforations between the bottom layer of cloth for the elastic wire to pass through, and the hard and elastic wire is fixed in the composite fabric through the perforations; The four layers are the bottom layer, the memory alloy layer, the resistance wire layer and the elastic wire layer from bottom to top.

2. The composite fabric of claim 1, wherein, The composite fabric further comprises an upper layer; The upper layer is made of cloth; The upper layer is located above the elastic wire layer; The upper layer of cloth and the bottom layer of cloth are fixed together by sewing.

3. The composite fabric of claim 1, wherein, The diameter of the memory alloy wire is 0.15mm.

4. The composite fabric of claim 1, wherein, The diameter of the enameled conductive wire is 0.1mm to 0.5mm.

5. The composite fabric of claim 1, wherein, The memory alloy is composed of nickel-chromium memory alloy wire with a wire diameter of 0.15mm and a phase transition temperature of about 40℃.

6. The composite fabric of claim 1, wherein, The conductive wire is 34AWG, 180℃ temperature-resistant Litz wire; The wire is 34AWG, 180℃ temperature-resistant Litz wire.

7. The composite fabric of claim 1, wherein, The cloth is cotton and linen white base cloth.

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