3D air-permeable spacer fabric shading device
The 3D spacer fabric addresses the issues of high temperature and wind instability in shading devices by ensuring air permeability and mechanical stability, enhancing comfort and safety in applications like shade sails and parasols.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2020008619
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2020-08-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-08-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing shading devices made of waterproof or insufficiently permeable fabrics suffer from high temperatures, wind instability, and reduced air permeability, leading to discomfort and potential danger, especially in applications like parasols.
A three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric with a pressure loss coefficient less than 5, extensible properties, and staggered or longitudinal filaments, allowing for better air permeability and mechanical stability, integrated into shading devices like shade sails and parasols.
The 3D spacer fabric provides effective sun shading, wind resistance, and air circulation, enhancing user comfort and safety by maintaining stability and reducing wind forces.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Three-dimensional, air-permeable 3D spacer fabric shading device
[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES
[0002] The invention relates to the field of shading devices such as shade sails, blinds, parasols and umbrellas. PREVIOUS ART
[0003] Shade devices such as shade sails, blinds, parasols and umbrellas are often made of waterproof fabric.
[0004] For some shade sail models, there are variants whose fabrics are not waterproof but permeable so as not to store water in case of rain.
[0005] In fact, while these permeable models allow water to pass through, they allow little air to pass through.
[0006] Consequently, they remain less pleasant than the shade of a tree whose upper leaves protect the lower leaves from the sun, keeping them cool, unlike the underside of a shade sail or blind, which emits infrared radiation due to its high temperature towards users even though they are in the shade.
[0007] Moreover, these fabrics, being insufficiently permeable to air, catch the wind, which can make them unstable or even dangerous, for example in the case of a parasol.
[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The shading device according to the invention comprises a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric.
[0010] Preferably, the pressure loss coefficient of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is less than 5, if possible less than 1.
[0011] For good mechanical resistance, the 3D spacer fabric is run-resistant
[0012] Preferably to facilitate the installation of the shading device, the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is stretchable
[0013] For the implementation of the shading device, it is advantageous that the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric be put under tension.
[0014] According to a first embodiment, the meshes of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric are staggered.
[0015] Preferably, the surface area of the knitted portion represents more than 50% of the fabric surface area. This increases the probability that the sun's rays will be intercepted regardless of the sun's position.
[0016] According to a second embodiment, the filaments of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric are longitudinal.
[0017] In terms of manufacturing process, the manufacturing process of the shading device uses machines for knitting three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics.
[0018] In the case of the second embodiment with longitudinal filaments, it is possible to produce them for small series by assembling superimposed three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics and then laser-cut in slices.
[0019] For larger series, it is possible to industrialize a process to produce them directly on knitting machines for three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics. Brief description of the drawings
[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings.
[0021] [Fig. 1] illustrates a first example of a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric with fine mesh and a thickness of 7.5 mm.
[0022] [Fig.2] illustrates a second example of a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric large mesh and double thickness approximately 1.5 centimeters.
[0023] [Fig.3] shows a third example of a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric large stitches where the surface area of the knitted part represents more than 50% of the fabric surface on each side.
[0024] [Fig.4] shows in cross-section a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric with longitudinal filaments tubulars whose meshes are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the fabric.
[0025] [Fig.5] shows in cross-section a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric with longitudinal filaments tubulars whose meshes are parallel to each other and oblique to the fabric.
[0026] [Fig.6] shows a machine for knitting three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The shading device according to the invention comprises a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T).
[0028] These are fabrics (T) composed of at least two knitted faces (M1) and (M2) with meshes (M), the two faces being connected by a multitude of nylon filaments (F). These fabrics are notably used integrated into mattresses.
[0029] Fig. 1 illustrates a first example of a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) with fine mesh and a thickness of 7.5 mm. Note that in this example the meshes (M) of the two knitted faces (M1) and (M2) overlap.
[0030] Figure 2 illustrates a second example of a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) with a large mesh (M) and a thickness approximately twice 1.5 centimeters. Note that in this example the meshes (M) of the two knitted faces (M1) and (M2) are staggered.
[0031] Figure 3 illustrates a third example of a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) with a large mesh (M) approximately 2 centimeters thick. It should be noted that in this example, the meshes (M) of the two knitted faces (M1) and (M2) are staggered, and the surface area of the knitted portion represents more than 50% of the fabric surface. This increases the probability that the sun's rays will be intercepted regardless of the sun's position.
[0032] More generally, the sum of the area of the knitted face (M1) and the area of the knitted face (M2) must be greater than the area of the fabric (T) in order to obstruct the sun's rays by at least one of the two knitted faces (M1) or (M2).
[0033] These three spacer fabrics provide shade due to the presence of knitted meshes (M1, M2), the multiplicity of filaments (F) allowing air to circulate.
[0034] Furthermore, they are mechanically sound and will withstand strong winds. They can withstand forces of several tens of kilograms per square meter.
[0035] For good mechanical resistance, the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) is run-resistant.
[0036] Preferably, to improve airflow, the pressure drop coefficient of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is less than 5, or even, if possible, less than 1. This coefficient represents the resistance to airflow through the fabric of the shading device. It is the ratio between the pressure drop, measured in Pascals, between the upstream and downstream pressure when the fabric is traversed by an airflow at a given velocity V in meters per second, and the equivalent of the kinetic energy of the air U2 pV2, where p is the density of air.
[0037] A pressure loss coefficient of less than 5 allows it to be more permeable than the permeable shade cloths usually sold.
[0038] A pressure loss coefficient of less than 1 makes it possible to limit the consequences of the force of the wind and to prevent a parasol from flying away with all the risks that this entails.
[0039] Preferably to facilitate the installation of the shading device, the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is stretchable.
[0040] For this reason, in order to maintain a form of elasticity so that the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) remains extensible, the geometric stabilization operation by thermal process used in the case of 3D spacer fabrics integrated into mattresses to guarantee the dimensional conformity expected for use in a mattress must not be carried out.
[0041] Unlike three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics integrated into mattresses, the thermal stabilization process, which would render the fabric (T) inextensible, should not be implemented. For example, the heat treatment could consist of heating the fabric (T) three-dimensional 3D spacer at 200°C for 30 seconds to ensure dimensional conformity.
[0042] By not doing so, the 3D spacer fabric can remain stretchable to values greater than 30%, or even 50% depending on their design.
[0043] For the installation of the device, it is advantageous for the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric to be under tension. This is particularly useful in the case of a shade sail, awning, parasol, or umbrella on its ribs.
[0044] According to a first embodiment, the meshes of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric are staggered so that each of the two levels of knitted meshes obstructs the sun's rays.
[0045] According to a second embodiment shown in [Fig. 4] and [Fig. 5], the filaments (F) of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric are longitudinal. The fabric is then a succession of knitted meshes (M) parallel to each other, connected by a multitude of filaments (F).
[0046] Preferably, in this configuration, the knitted faces of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric do not allow any sunlight to pass through and the knitted surface of the mesh (M) represents 100% of the surface of the knitted face.
[0047] Depending on the case, based on the respective position of the shading device and the sun, the meshes (M) are perpendicular as illustrated [Fig.4] or oblique as illustrated [Fig.5],
[0048] Thus, depending on the angle of the fabric, the mesh allows protection from the sun while allowing air to pass through in a different direction.
[0049] This is particularly the case with parasols and umbrellas where the inclination of the fabric varies according to its position, while the wind is most often horizontal regardless of the position of the sun.
[0050] Then the angle of inclination of the mesh (M) can vary continuously depending on its distance from the center of the parasol or umbrella which leads to a specific product.
[0051] In terms of manufacturing process, the manufacturing process of the shading device uses machines (MT) to knit three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics like the one illustrated [Fig.6].
[0052] In the case of the second embodiment with longitudinal filaments (F), it is possible to produce them for small series by assembling superimposed three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics (T) and then laser-cut in slices to the desired thickness.
[0053] For larger series, it is possible to industrialize a process to produce them directly on (MT) machines for knitting three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics like the one illustrated [Fig.6]. Industrial application
[0054] In terms of industrial application, the invention applies to shading devices such as shade sails, blinds, parasols and umbrellas.
[0055] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and represented, but a person skilled in the art will be able to make any variation in accordance with their spirit for a range of products in different fields.
Claims
Claims
1. Shading device characterized in that the device comprises a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric in the form of a 3D knit composed of knitted stitches (M) connected by a multitude of filaments (F) and by the fact that the 3D knit is composed of a succession of knitted stitches (M) perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal direction of the 3D knit, connected to each other by a multitude of filaments (F).
2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the pressure loss coefficient is less than 5.
3. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the 3D spacer fabric is unravelable.
4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is extensible.
5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the knitted surface of the stitches (M) represents more than 50% of the surface of the fabric.
6. Method of manufacturing the shading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it uses machines for knitting three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics.
7. A method according to claim 6 comprising assembling three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics and then laser cutting them into slices.