A moisture responsive moisture wicking and repellent fabric

Abstract

The application discloses a wet response moisture discharge and moisture resistance fabric, which comprises a moisture resistance layer and a moisture discharge layer. The moisture resistance layer is located on the outer layer of the fabric and is interwoven by first yarn and second yarn. The first yarn stretches along the plane direction of the moisture resistance layer after absorbing moisture, thereby increasing the coverage of the pores in the moisture resistance layer. The moisture discharge layer is located on the inner layer of the fabric and is knitted by third yarn to form a continuous net-shaped distribution of honeycomb units. The third yarn is a wet response yarn. The moisture discharge layer has a plurality of protruding structures protruding away from the moisture resistance layer. The protruding structures increase the arching degree after absorbing moisture and can basically recover to the initial state after moisture is discharged. Through the different wet response deformation mechanisms of the inner and outer layers, the wet response fabric realizes the cooperation of the moisture absorption and permeability increase of the inner layer and the moisture absorption and permeability decrease of the outer layer, and further realizes the bidirectional regulation of moisture discharge and moisture resistance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of functional fabric technology, and in particular to a moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric. Background Technology

[0002] During high-intensity exercise or in hot and humid environments, the human skin produces a large amount of sweat and heat. Thermal management clothing not only needs to quickly wick away and evaporate sweat from the skin, but also needs to prevent moisture backflow and heat loss when the external environment is humid, thus maintaining the skin's microenvironment and thermal balance. This requires the clothing system to have dynamic, two-way humidity response capabilities: when sweating, the pores of the close-fitting fabric should expand to enhance breathability and moisture wicking, accelerating the outward transfer of sweat; when the environment is humid, the outer fabric should appropriately reduce breathability to block the intrusion of high-humidity external air. This synergistic regulation mechanism of "internal wicking and external blocking" is of great significance for improving exercise comfort and physiological health.

[0003] Currently, some heat and moisture management fabrics used in sportswear employ moisture-wicking and quick-drying fibers or undergo hydrophilic / hydrophobic double-sided finishing to create a humidity gradient for unidirectional moisture wicking. For example, patent publication number CN112921482A discloses a "unidirectional moisture-wicking fabric and its preparation method and use," which utilizes a double-layer structure design to achieve a dry inner layer and a sweat-wicking outer layer by taking advantage of the hydrophilic / hydrophobic difference between yarns with moisture-wicking and quick-drying functions and cotton yarns with hydrophobic functions.

[0004] Some thermal and humidity management fabrics increase specific surface area through structural design to promote air circulation. For example, Chinese patent CN116288890B discloses a "weft-knitted thermal and humidity self-regulating concave-convex pore structure fabric," which utilizes the shrinkage of specific B yarns under thermal and humidity conditions to form a pore structure, enabling the fabric to open pores for heat dissipation in response to thermal and humidity changes, while automatically closing the pores after the environment returns to normal temperature and humidity. In addition, some thermal and humidity management fabrics utilize shape memory materials or moisture-sensitive polymer coatings to give the fabric a certain degree of humidity-responsive deformation capability. US patent US 11,939,704 B2 discloses a water-responsive shape memory wool fabric with pore size and shape switching functions sensitive to water content, enabling reversible shape conversion between dry and wet states.

[0005] However, none of the aforementioned existing heat and moisture management fabrics involve the coordinated realization of moisture response and moisture-blocking functions that "block moisture externally and release moisture internally". Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric to solve the problem mentioned in the background art that existing heat and moisture management fabrics are difficult to achieve synergistic moisture blocking on the outside and moisture dissipation on the inside.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric, comprising: The moisture-blocking layer, located on the outer layer of the fabric, is woven from a first yarn and a second yarn; the first yarn serves as the face yarn, and the second yarn serves as the back yarn; the first yarn is a moisture-responsive yarn, capable of axial elongation after absorbing moisture; the second yarn is an elastic yarn, used to restrict the expansion direction of the first yarn after absorbing moisture, so that the first yarn extends along the planar direction of the moisture-blocking layer after absorbing moisture, thereby increasing the coverage of pores in the moisture-blocking layer and reducing the air permeability of the moisture-blocking layer; The moisture-wicking layer, located in the inner layer of the fabric, is woven from a third yarn, which is a moisture-responsive yarn that can elongate axially after absorbing moisture. The moisture-wicking layer has multiple raised structures that protrude away from the moisture-blocking layer. After absorbing moisture, the raised structures increase in arching degree, thereby increasing the air permeability of the moisture-wicking layer, and can basically return to the initial state after dehumidification.

[0008] Furthermore, the moisture-wicking layer is woven from the third yarn to form a continuous mesh-like honeycomb unit, the honeycomb unit including a connecting part and the protruding structure surrounded by the connecting part; each end of the connecting part is connected to the floating part of the moisture-blocking layer through a loop structure, and provides peripheral constraint for the arching action of the protruding structure when absorbing moisture.

[0009] Furthermore, the initial protrusion height of the protrusion structure is 1.5 to 2.0 mm, and the protrusion height increases to 2.5 mm after moisture absorption.

[0010] Furthermore, in the moisture-barrier layer, the first yarn serves as the face yarn, the second yarn serves as the base yarn, and they form an elastic constraint skeleton that restricts the expansion of the first yarn.

[0011] Furthermore, the first yarn has an elongation of ≥30% when the relative humidity increases from 40% to 90%, and the second yarn has a moisture regain of ≤3% and an elastic recovery rate of ≥90%.

[0012] Furthermore, both the first yarn and the third yarn are wet-responsive nylon yarns.

[0013] Furthermore, the second yarn is a polyester-spandex core-spun yarn.

[0014] Furthermore, the connecting part is woven with a tuck stitch, and the raised structure is woven with a plain knit stitch.

[0015] Furthermore, the moisture-proof layer adopts a weft knitting structure that combines plain knitting and float knitting, and the float knitting portion is connected to the loop structure at the end of the connecting portion.

[0016] Furthermore, the initial porosity of the connecting portion is greater than the initial porosity of the protruding structure.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: This invention achieves bidirectional control of moisture wicking and moisture barrier by synergistically realizing moisture absorption and permeability enhancement in the inner layer and moisture absorption and permeability reduction in the outer layer through different moisture response deformation mechanisms in the inner and outer layers. The moisture barrier layer, through the planar guiding constraint of the second yarn on the first yarn, transforms moisture absorption deformation into a covering effect on the pores, rather than simple radial expansion, thus reducing the air permeability of the moisture barrier layer. The moisture dissipation layer, through the combination of loop connection point constraint and honeycomb three-dimensional structure, transforms the linear elongation of the yarn into a three-dimensional arch in the central area, actively widening the gap with the skin, forming air channels, and improving moisture dissipation capacity. When the moisture absorption rates of the moisture dissipation layer and the moisture barrier layer are both 50%, the air permeability of the fabric increases by 32.25% and decreases by 19.46% respectively compared to the dry state. The weaving process can be implemented on a double-sided circular knitting machine. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the fabric structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the moisture-barrier layer weaving structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the honeycomb unit structure of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a weaving design diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a graph showing the air permeability test results under moisture absorption conditions in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] In the diagram: 100, moisture barrier layer; 110, first yarn; 120, second yarn; 200. Moisture-wicking layer; 210. Honeycomb unit; 211. Raised structure; 212. Connecting part; 220. Third yarn. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the present invention provides a moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric, comprising: The moisture barrier layer 100, located on the outer layer of the fabric, is woven from a first yarn 110 and a second yarn 120. The first yarn 110 serves as the face yarn, and the second yarn 120 serves as the back yarn. The first yarn 110 is a moisture-responsive yarn that can stretch axially after absorbing moisture. The second yarn 120 is an elastic yarn used to restrict the expansion direction of the first yarn 110 after absorbing moisture, so that the first yarn 110 stretches along the planar direction of the moisture barrier layer 100 after absorbing moisture, thereby increasing the coverage of pores in the moisture barrier layer 100 and reducing the air permeability of the moisture barrier layer 100. The second yarn 120 has a low moisture regain and a high elastic recovery rate, so as to form a continuous elastic constraint skeleton that constrains the first yarn 110.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the outer circle is the first yarn 110 (i.e., the face yarn), and the inner circle is the second yarn 120 (i.e., the base yarn). After being tightly interwoven, a certain weaving process gap is formed between the first yarn 110 and the second yarn 120.

[0023] When the external humidity increases (e.g., due to rainfall), the first yarn 110 absorbs moisture, resulting in axial elongation and expansion stress. The continuous elastic constraint network formed by the second yarn 120 suppresses this expansion stress, forcing the deformation of the first yarn 110 to extend primarily along the planar direction of the moisture-blocking layer 100. This increases the loop length of the first yarn 110, effectively filling the gaps between the yarns and increasing the coverage of the pores in the fabric's loop structure within the moisture-blocking layer 100. The overall breathability of the fabric decreases, thus preventing external moisture from penetrating the interior. When the external environment returns to dryness, the first yarn 110 loses water and shrinks, the pores return to their initial state, and the breathability is restored.

[0024] The moisture-wicking layer 200, located in the inner layer of the fabric, is woven from a third yarn 220, which is a moisture-responsive yarn that can elongate axially after absorbing moisture. The moisture-wicking layer 200 has a plurality of raised structures 211 that protrude away from the moisture-blocking layer 100. After absorbing moisture, the raised structures 211 become more arched, which increases the air permeability of the moisture-wicking layer 200 and allows it to basically return to its initial state after dehumidification.

[0025] Furthermore, the moisture-wicking layer 200 is woven from the third yarn 220 to form a continuous mesh-distributed honeycomb unit 210. The honeycomb unit 210 includes a connecting portion 212 and a raised structure 211 surrounded by the connecting portion 212. Each end of the connecting portion 212 is connected to the floating part of the moisture-blocking layer 100 through a loop structure, and provides peripheral constraint for the arching action of the raised structure 211 when absorbing moisture.

[0026] When the human body sweats, causing the internal humidity to increase, the third yarn 220 absorbs moisture and stretches. Under the constraint of each end of the connecting part 212, the honeycomb unit 210 cannot expand in the planar direction. The elongation stress of the yarn is converted into three-dimensional deformation, forcing the protruding structure 211 to arch further along its protruding direction.

[0027] After arching, the contact area between the fabric and the skin decreases, the air gap increases, and the air convection is enhanced, improving the moisture wicking effect and reducing the sticky feeling after sweating. After the moisture is removed, the connecting part 212 and the raised structure 211 basically return to their initial state.

[0028] Furthermore, the initial protrusion height of the protrusion structure 211 is 1.5 to 2.0 mm, and the protrusion height can increase to 2.5 mm after moisture absorption, thus increasing the protrusion height of the protrusion structure 211 after moisture absorption.

[0029] Furthermore, in the moisture barrier layer 100, the first yarn 110 serves as the face yarn, the second yarn 120 serves as the base yarn, and forms an elastic constraint skeleton that restricts the expansion of the first yarn 110.

[0030] Furthermore, the first yarn 110 has an elongation of ≥30% when the relative humidity increases from 40% to 90%, and the second yarn 120 has a moisture regain of ≤3% and an elastic recovery rate of ≥90%.

[0031] Furthermore, both the first yarn 110 and the third yarn 220 are wet-responsive nylon yarns.

[0032] The third yarn 220 and the first yarn 110 are both wet-responsive nylon yarns, and the fineness of the third yarn 220 is less than that of the first yarn 110.

[0033] Furthermore, the second yarn 120 is a polyester-spandex core-spun yarn.

[0034] Furthermore, the connecting portion 212 is knitted using a tuck stitch, and the raised structure 211 is knitted using a plain knit. The connecting portion 212 is knitted using a tuck stitch to provide stable structural constraints; the raised structure 211 is knitted using a plain knit to achieve arching deformation capability.

[0035] Furthermore, the moisture barrier layer 100 adopts a weft knitting structure that combines plain knitting and float knitting, and its float knitting portion is connected to the loop structure at the end of the connecting portion 212.

[0036] Furthermore, the initial porosity of the connecting portion 212 is greater than that of the protruding structure 211. This structural difference facilitates the diffusion of moisture from the protruding structure 211 to the connecting portion 212.

[0037] In one embodiment, the first yarn 110 is made of 70D / 24F wet-responsive nylon, which has an axial elongation of 35% and a wet axial expansion stress of 0.18 cN / dtex when the relative humidity increases from 40% to 90%, and possesses moisture-driven properties. The second yarn 120 is made of 70D / 36F polyester / spandex core-spun yarn with a moisture regain of 1.3% and an elastic recovery rate of 95%, and is used to construct a continuous elastic constraint network for the outer layer.

[0038] The third yarn 220 is made of 50D / 24F wet-responsive nylon. When the relative humidity increases from 40% to 90%, the axial elongation reaches 31%, the wet axial expansion stress is 0.15 cN / dtex, and it has moisture-driven properties.

[0039] Based on the percentage of loop count and yarn fineness in the fabric, the first yarn 110 content is 55.56%, the second yarn 120 content is 25.92%, and the third yarn 220 content is 18.52%. This ratio provides sufficient elastic recovery and honeycomb boundary constraint without significantly restricting wet response deformation.

[0040] The knitting is performed using a double-sided circular knitting machine with a machine number of E32.

[0041] like Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 In the diagram, 1 to 12 represent a 12-way braiding cycle. The braiding parameters of the moisture barrier layer 100 and the moisture dissipation layer 200 can be set as follows: the pattern height of the moisture dissipation layer 200 is 12, the pattern width is 4, and it is a 12-way cycle; the pattern height of the moisture barrier layer 100 is 2, the pattern width is 2, and it is a 2-way cycle.

[0042] There is a connection point at every other path, which pulls the inner fabric to form a honeycomb-like array of convex and concave shapes.

[0043] The inner layer uses a "tucked loop + floating thread + flat stitch" structure, while the outer layer uses a "floating thread + flat stitch" structure. The inner looped loop structure is connected to the outer floating thread to form an inward honeycomb frame.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown, in the dry state, the overall air permeability of the fabric is 1022.57 mm / s; when the moisture absorption rate of the moisture-wicking layer 200 is 50% (using 0.9% physiological saline to simulate sweat, added dropper until the total mass of the fabric after addition reaches 150% of the original mass, i.e., the moisture absorption rate reaches 50%), the overall air permeability of the fabric is 1352.35 mm / s; and when the moisture absorption rate of the moisture-blocking layer 100 is 50%, the overall air permeability of the fabric is 823.58 mm / s. These results indicate that the air permeability increases after the moisture-wicking layer absorbs moisture, and decreases after the moisture-blocking layer absorbs moisture, increasing by 32.25% and decreasing by 19.46% respectively compared to the dry state.

[0045] Working principle: In the initial state, the fabric fits the skin; after sweating, the honeycomb units 210 of the inner moisture-wicking layer 200 absorb moisture, and the raised structure 211 arches up, actively increasing the breathable space and accelerating the evaporation of sweat; after the moisture wicking is finished, the raised structure 211 can basically return to the initial state. In addition, if the external humidity increases (such as in foggy or rainy weather), the first yarn 110 of the outer moisture barrier layer 100 absorbs moisture and elongates, increasing the coverage of the pores and reducing the degree to which external moisture enters the interior.

[0046] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric, characterized in that, include: A moisture barrier layer (100) is located on the outer layer of the fabric and is woven from a first yarn and a second yarn. The first yarn (110) serves as the face yarn, and the second yarn (120) serves as the back yarn. The first yarn is a moisture-responsive yarn that can stretch axially after absorbing moisture. The second yarn is an elastic yarn used to restrict the expansion direction of the first yarn after absorbing moisture, so that the first yarn stretches along the plane of the moisture barrier layer (100) after absorbing moisture, thereby increasing the coverage of pores in the moisture barrier layer (100) and reducing the air permeability of the moisture barrier layer (100). The moisture-wicking layer (200), located in the inner layer of the fabric, is woven from a third yarn (220), which is a moisture-responsive yarn that can elongate axially after absorbing moisture. The moisture-wicking layer (200) has multiple raised structures (211) that protrude away from the moisture-blocking layer (100). After absorbing moisture, the raised structures (211) increase their arching degree and increase the air permeability of the moisture-wicking layer (200), and can basically return to their initial state after dehumidification. The moisture-wicking layer (200) is woven from the third yarn to form a continuous mesh-distributed honeycomb unit (210). The honeycomb unit (210) includes a connecting part (212) and the raised structures (211) surrounded by the connecting part (212). Each end of the connecting part (212) is connected to the floating part of the moisture-blocking layer (100) through a loop structure, and provides peripheral constraints for the arching of the raised structures (211) when absorbing moisture.

2. The moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moisture-wicking layer (200) is woven from the third yarn (220) to form a continuous mesh-distributed honeycomb unit (210). The honeycomb unit (210) includes a connecting part (212) and a raised structure (211) surrounded by the connecting part (212). Each end of the connecting part (212) is connected to the moisture-blocking layer (100) through a loop structure and provides peripheral constraints for the arching action of the raised structure (211) when absorbing moisture. The connecting part (212) is woven with a loop structure, and the raised structure (211) is woven with a plain knit structure.

3. The moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric according to claim 2, characterized in that, The initial protrusion height of the protrusion structure (211) is 1.5 to 2.0 mm, and the protrusion height increases to 2.5 mm after absorbing moisture.

4. The moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the moisture barrier layer (100), the first yarn (110) serves as the face yarn, and the second yarn (120) serves as the base yarn, forming an elastic constraint skeleton that restricts the expansion of the first yarn (110).

5. The moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first yarn (110) has an elongation of ≥30% when the relative humidity increases from 40% to 90%, and the second yarn (120) has a moisture regain of ≤3% and an elastic recovery rate of ≥90%.

6. The moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first yarn (110) and the third yarn (220) are wet-responsive nylon yarns.

7. The moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second yarn (120) is a polyester-spandex core-spun yarn.

8. The moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting part (212) is woven with a tucked loop weave, the raised structure (211) is woven with a plain knit weave, and a connection point between the connecting part (212) and the moisture barrier layer (100) is provided every other row.

9. The moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric according to claim 2, characterized in that, The moisture barrier layer (100) is a weft knitting structure that combines plain knitting and float knitting. The float knitting part of the moisture barrier layer (100) is connected to the loop structure at the end of the connecting part (212).

10. The moisture-responsive moisture-wicking and moisture-blocking fabric according to claim 2, characterized in that, The initial porosity of the connecting part (212) is greater than that of the protruding structure (211).

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