Woven fabric, skin material, and interior component

Abstract

To provide a woven fabric capable of increasing brightness of an exposed portion of an optical fiber on a design surface side without damaging the optical fiber, and to provide a skin material having the same, and an interior component having the same.SOLUTION: A woven fabric 1 formed by weaving an optical fiber 2 into the woven fabric has a glossy yarn 3 woven into the woven fabric so as to be along the optical fiber. The optical fiber has an exposed part 2a exposed on the design surface side of the woven fabric. The glossy yarn is arranged on the back side of the exposed part so as to face a gap S formed on the lateral side of the exposed part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fabric, a skin material, and an interior component, and more particularly to a fabric in which optical fibers are woven, a skin material including the same, and an interior component including the same.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional skin material, one including a fabric in which optical fibers are woven is generally known (for example, Patent Document 1 etc.). In Patent Document 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, in order to increase the luminance of the exposed portion 102a of the optical fiber 102 on the design surface side of the skin material 105, a technique of shaving the cladding 112 out of the core 111 and the cladding 112 constituting the optical fiber 102 with a laser L is disclosed. Note that the symbol "104" in FIG. 12 indicates a non-light guiding yarn.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since the cladding 112 of the optical fiber 102 is shaved with the laser L, there is a concern that the optical fiber 102 may be damaged and the physical properties (for example, durability, heat strength, etc.) of the optical fiber 102 may be degraded.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to provide a fabric capable of increasing the luminance of the exposed portion of the optical fiber on the design surface side without damaging the optical fiber, a skin material including the same, and an interior component including the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is as follows. 1. A fabric in which optical fibers are woven, comprising a lustrous yarn woven along the optical fibers, wherein the optical fibers have an exposed portion exposed on the design surface side of the fabric, and the lustrous yarn is disposed on the back side of the exposed portion so as to face a gap formed on the side of the exposed portion. The fabric is characterized by this. 2. The fabric according to 1. above, wherein the central axis of the lustrous yarn is offset in the plane direction of the fabric with respect to the central axis of the exposed portion. 3. The fabric according to 1. above, wherein the lustrous yarn is provided so as to face each gap formed on both sides of the exposed portion. 4. The fabric according to 1. above, wherein the lustrous yarn is a metallic lustrous yarn. 5. A skin material comprising the fabric according to any one of 1. to 4. above. 6. An interior component comprising a base material and the skin material according to 5. above that covers the surface of the base material.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the luminance of the exposed portion of the optical fiber can be increased on the design surface side without damaging the optical fiber.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] The present invention will be further described in the following detailed description with reference to a non-limiting example of a typical embodiment according to the present invention and with reference to the plurality of drawings mentioned, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout several views of the drawings.

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The matters shown here are illustrative and for exemplarily explaining embodiments of the present invention, and are described for the purpose of providing an explanation that is considered to be most effective and easily understandable for the principles and conceptual features of the present invention. In this regard, it is not intended to show the structural details of the present invention to an extent greater than necessary for a fundamental understanding of the present invention, and it is to clarify for those skilled in the art how some forms of the present invention are actually implemented by the description in combination with the drawings.

[0010] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings according to embodiments.

[0011] <Fabric> The fabric according to this embodiment is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, FIGS. 10 and 11, a fabric (light-emitting fabric) 1 in which optical fibers (light-guiding yarns) 2 are woven, and includes a lustrous yarn 3 woven along the optical fibers 2. The optical fiber 2 has an exposed portion 2a exposed on the design surface side of the fabric 1, and the lustrous yarn 3 is disposed on the back side of the exposed portion 2a so as to face a gap S formed on the side of the exposed portion 2a.

[0012] Note that the fabric 1 may be formed only of the optical fiber 2 and the lustrous yarn 3, but usually includes a non-light-guiding yarn 4. That is, when having the non-light-guiding yarn 4, the fabric 1 is woven from the optical fiber 2, the lustrous yarn 3, and the non-light-guiding yarn 4. The optical fiber 2 and the lustrous yarn 3 may be included as warp yarns, may be included as weft yarns, or may be included as both warp and weft yarns. Among these, it is preferably included as a warp or weft yarn, and more preferably included as a weft yarn. On the other hand, the non-light-guiding yarn 4 may be included as a warp yarn, may be included as a weft yarn, or may be included as both warp and weft yarns. Among these, it is preferably included as both warp and weft yarns.

[0013] On the side of the exposed portion 2a of the optical fiber 2, a gap S that usually opens to the design surface side of the fabric 1 is formed. The gap S can be formed between the exposed portion 2a and other yarns adjacent to the exposed portion 2a (for example, the non-light-guiding yarn 4, the exposed portion 2a of other optical fibers 2). Also, the gap S may be formed only on one side of the exposed portion 2a (see, for example, FIG. 11), but from the viewpoint of light reflectivity with respect to the optical fiber 2, it is preferably formed on both sides of the exposed portion 2a (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 10). Note that the size and arrangement location of the gap S are appropriately selected according to the light-emitting design of the fabric 1 and the like.

[0014] The optical fiber 2 can have a non-exposed portion 2b that is not exposed to the design surface side of the fabric 1 in addition to the exposed portion 2a (see, for example, FIG. 4). The non-exposed portion 2b can be formed by arranging the optical fiber 2 on the back side of the shiny yarn 3 and / or the non-light-guiding yarn 4. Also, the non-exposed portion 2b can be formed by covering the design surface side of the optical fiber 2 with the other yarn when the optical fiber 2 is one of the warp and weft yarns. These forms of forming the non-exposed portion 2b may use only one type or a combination of two or more types. Note that the size and arrangement location of the exposed portion 2a and the non-exposed portion 2b are appropriately selected according to the light-emitting design of the fabric 1 and the like.

[0015] The central axis C2 of the shiny yarn 3 may be arranged to coincide with the central axis C1 of the exposed portion 2a in the fabric surface direction A (see, for example, FIG. 10(a)), but from the viewpoint of light reflectivity with respect to the optical fiber 2, it is preferable that the central axis C2 is offset (eccentric) with respect to the central axis C1 of the exposed portion 2a in the fabric surface direction A (see, for example, FIGS. 3, 10(b), and 11). Note that the fabric surface direction A means the direction along the other yarn when the shiny yarn 3 is one of the warp and weft yarns.

[0016] The glossy yarn 3 can be provided so as to face each gap S formed on both sides of the exposed portion 2a. In this form, one glossy yarn 3 having a diameter larger than that of the exposed portion 2a can be provided so as to face each gap S (see, for example, FIG. 10(a)). Further, a glossy yarn 3 facing one gap S and another glossy yarn 3 facing the other gap S can be provided (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 10(b)).

[0017] The glossy yarn 3 may be arranged so that only one overlaps in the thickness direction B of the fabric with respect to one exposed portion 2a (see, for example, FIGS. 10(a) and 11). However, from the viewpoint of light reflectivity with respect to the optical fiber 2, it is preferable that a plurality of them overlap in the thickness direction B of the fabric with respect to one exposed portion 2a (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 10(b)). The number of glossy yarns 3 overlapping one exposed portion 2a is not particularly limited, but examples include 2 to 5 (preferably 2 to 4, particularly preferably 2 to 3). Note that the glossy yarn 3 can also be arranged so as not to overlap at all in the thickness direction B of the fabric with respect to one exposed portion 2a.

[0018] The glossy yarn 3 usually has a light reflectivity that reflects a part of the light (mainly the light directed toward the back side of the fabric 1) from the side surface (circumferential surface) of the exposed portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 to the design surface side of the fabric 1 through the gap S. As the glossy yarn 3, (1) a profiled cross-section bright yarn having a triangular, flat, multi-lobed, Y-shaped, etc. fiber cross-section, (2) a yarn made of a fiber containing a light-emitting substance (for example, an inorganic substance such as glass, mica, silica, etc., a metal powder such as aluminum, etc.), etc. can be used. However, from the viewpoint of light reflectivity with respect to the optical fiber 2, it is preferable to use a metallic glossy yarn 3. As the metallic glossy yarn 3, a foil yarn, a yarn using a foil yarn, etc. can be used.

[0019] Examples of the foil yarn include: (1) yarns obtained by rolling metal wires such as aluminum, gold, silver, copper, and stainless steel; (2) yarns obtained by attaching foils such as aluminum, gold, silver, copper, and stainless steel to Japanese paper or non-woven synthetic resin fabrics and then cutting them into thin strips; (3) yarns obtained by vapor-depositing metals such as aluminum, gold, silver, copper, and stainless steel on synthetic resin films such as polyester, polyurethane, and polyamide and then cutting them into thin strips.

[0020] Examples of the yarn using the foil yarn include: (1) those obtained by winding the foil yarn 5 around a core yarn 6 such as synthetic resins like rayon and polyamide, silk, metal yarn, and water-soluble yarn (round-twisted yarn, bellows-twisted yarn, etc.; for example, see Fig. 5); (2) those obtained by twisting the foil yarn with a core yarn such as synthetic resins like rayon and polyamide, silk, metal yarn, and water-soluble yarn (feather-twisted yarn); (3) those using the foil yarn as the core yarn and twisting two threads such as synthetic resins like polyester and polyamide, silk, metal yarn, and water-soluble yarn together with this core yarn in a crosswise manner (cross-twisted yarn); (4) those obtained by twisting a core yarn such as synthetic resins like rayon and polyamide, silk, metal yarn, and water-soluble yarn together with the foil yarn and a synthetic resin yarn such as polyester and polyamide (brilliancy-twisted yarn).

[0021] It should be noted that the following configurations can be used for the above-mentioned fabric 1, optical fiber 2, lustrous yarn 3, and non-light-conducting yarn 4.

[0022] The weave structure of the fabric 1 is not particularly limited, and conventionally known weave structures can be appropriately used. Specifically, for example, plain weave, twill weave, damask weave, etc. can be used. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Furthermore, the fabric structure of the fabric 1 is not limited, and conventionally known fabric structures can be appropriately used. Specifically, it may be a single-layer fabric, a multi-layer fabric, or a combination of these.

[0023] The fabric 1 can be provided with a converging end portion 7 that bundles the tip sides of the optical fibers 2 extending from the edge (see, for example, FIG. 1). The converging end portion 7 is a portion connected to a light source 8 (see, for example, FIG. 6). The converging end portion 7 may have only one, or may have a plurality of converging end portions 7 that bundle an appropriate number of optical fibers 2 according to the light-emitting design of the fabric 1 or the like.

[0024] The optical fiber 2 is of a side-emitting type that can leak light from its side surface while guiding the light incident from one end to the other end. Specifically, it has a core-sheath structure having a core and a sheath, and can perform light guiding based on the refractive index difference between the core and the sheath. The core-sheath structure may be in a form having one core for one sheath, or may be in a form having two or more cores for one sheath.

[0025] The optical fiber 2 may be a multifilament, but is usually a monofilament. In the case of a multifilament, all of the constituent yarns constituting the filament may have light guiding performance, or only some of the yarns may have light guiding performance. Also, from the viewpoint of weaving property, the optical fiber 2 is preferably made of resin. Specifically, (1) an optical fiber in which a core resin and a cladding resin are combined so as to have a refractive index relationship in which light guided inside the core 11 is not totally reflected at the core-sheath interface, (2) an optical fiber in which a light scattering substance is blended in the core resin, etc. can be used.

[0026] The above (1) is a side-emitting type optical fiber that utilizes the phenomenon that light guided inside the core 11 is not totally reflected at the core-sheath interface and leaks light from the sheath to the outside. On the other hand, the above (2) is a side-emitting type optical fiber that utilizes the phenomenon that scattered light scattered by the light scattering substance during the light guiding process leaks light from the side surface due to the blending of the scattering substance. Also, in the above (2), the luminance can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of the light scattering substance to be blended. Furthermore, a side-emitting type optical fiber having a configuration other than these may also be used. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0027] The diameter of the optical fiber 2 is not particularly limited, but from the perspective of weavability, for example, it can be 0.01 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, preferably 0.05 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. As the resin optical fiber 2, although it depends on the type of resin of the optical fiber 2, for example, when the diameter is 0.25 mm, an optical fiber 2 with a fineness of 607 dtex can be used. Further, the proportion of the optical fiber 2 in the warp or weft is not particularly limited, but when the total number of warps is 100% or the total number of wefts is 100%, usually, it is 10% or more with respect to the yarns in each direction, preferably 10% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 20% or more and 80% or less, and still more preferably 30% or more and 70% or less. In particular, when the optical fiber 2 is included only as the weft, the optical fiber is 0% with respect to 100% of the total number of warps, and is 10% or more with respect to 100% of the total number of wefts, preferably 10% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 20% or more and 80% or less, and still more preferably 30% or more and 70% or less.

[0028] The glossy yarn 3 may be a multifilament, but is usually a monofilament. In the case of a multifilament, all of the constituent yarns constituting the filament may have light reflection performance, or only some of the yarns may have light reflection performance. The fineness of the glossy yarn 3 is not limited, but for example, it can be 10 dtex or more and 2000 dtex or less, preferably 20 dtex or more and 1000 dtex or less, and more preferably 30 dtex or more and 700 dtex or less.

[0029] The proportion of the glossy yarn 3 in the warp or weft is not limited, but when the total number of warps is 100% or the total number of wefts is 100%, usually, it is 10% or more with respect to the yarns in each direction, preferably 10% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 20% or more and 80% or less, and still more preferably 30% or more and 70% or less. In particular, when the glossy yarn 3 is included only as the weft, the glossy yarn is 0% with respect to 100% of the total number of warps, and is 10% or more with respect to 100% of the total number of wefts, preferably 10% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 20% or more and 80% or less, and still more preferably 30% or more and 70% or less.

[0030] The non-light-guiding yarn 4 is a yarn that does not have light-guiding characteristics. The non-light-guiding yarn 4 may be a monofilament or a multifilament. The material constituting the non-light-guiding yarn 4 is not limited and may be a natural fiber or a synthetic fiber. In the case of a synthetic fiber, examples of the constituent resin include polyamide-based resins such as nylon 6 and nylon 66, polyester-based resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyolefin-based resins such as polypropylene, and polyacrylic-based resins. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0031] The fineness of the non-light-guiding yarn 4 is not limited, but for example, it can be 10 dtex or more and 2000 dtex or less, preferably 20 dtex or more and 1000 dtex or less, and more preferably 30 dtex or more and 700 dtex or less. Further, when the non-light-guiding yarn 4 is a multifilament, the number of constituent filaments is not limited, but for example, it can be 10 or more, preferably 100 or more, and more preferably 200 or more. The upper limit of the number of constituent filaments is not limited, but for example, it can be 10000 or less, 5000 or less, and 2500 or less.

[0032] The non-light-guiding yarn 4 may not contain a light-transmission inhibiting component, but can contain a light-transmission inhibiting component. When the non-light-guiding yarn 4 contains a light-transmission inhibiting component, the light-shielding property against the optical fiber 2 can be improved. The light-transmission inhibiting component may be any component that can inhibit light transmission. For example, it may inhibit light transmission by reflection / dispersion, absorb light, or inhibit light transmission by other actions. Specifically, examples include colorants (pigments, dyes, etc.), light absorbers, extenders (various fillers, etc.).

[0033] <Skin material> The skin material 15 according to the present embodiment includes the above-described fabric 1 (see, for example, FIG. 6).

[0034] The skin material 15 can further include a cushion layer 16 laminated on the back side of the fabric 1. The material of the cushion layer 16 is not particularly limited, but a sheet material made of soft polyurethane foam is often used. As long as it has sufficient cushioning properties, other soft resin foams can also be used.

[0035] <Interior component> The interior component 18 according to this embodiment includes a base material 19 and the above-described skin material 15 that covers all or part of the surface of the base material 19 (see, for example, FIG. 7).

[0036] The base material 19 can be formed from any material. For example, it can be formed from a resin material. Examples of the resin material include polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, etc. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Also, as the base material, a fibrous molded body formed by binding reinforcing fibers using a binder resin can be used. In this case, polyolefin can be used as the binder resin. Also, as the reinforcing fibers, plant fibers, resin fibers (such as polyester fibers and polyamide fibers), inorganic fibers (such as glass fibers and carbon fibers), etc. can be used. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the above, as plant fibers, kenaf, hemp, jute, etc. can be used. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more. In the fibrous molded body, the ratio of the binder resin amount to the reinforcing fiber amount is not limited, but when the total of the binder resin amount and the reinforcing fiber amount is 100% by mass, the ratio of the reinforcing fiber can be 10 to 90% by mass, 25 to 75% by mass, 35 to 65% by mass, etc.

[0037] The interior component 18 can be used as an interior component that constitutes vehicle products (for example, products for vehicles such as automobiles and trains, airplanes, ships, etc.), such as door trims, instrument panels, roof trims, floor trims, luggage trims, rear side trims, rear parcels, package trays, pillar garnishes, switch bases, quarter panels, armrests, center consoles, overhead consoles, sun visors, seats, etc. Furthermore, it can also be used as an interior component that constitutes furniture such as sofas and chairs.

Example

[0038] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described by way of examples with reference to the drawings.

[0039] The fabric according to this embodiment is a fabric 1 in which an optical fiber 2 (light guide yarn) is woven, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and includes a lustrous yarn 3 woven along the optical fiber 2 (shown by a broken line in FIGS. 1 and 2). Further, the fabric 1 includes a non-light guide yarn 4 in addition to the optical fiber 2 and the lustrous yarn 3. The optical fiber 2, the lustrous yarn 3, and the non-light guide yarn 4 are woven as weft yarns, and the non-light guide yarn 4 is woven as a warp yarn. Furthermore, the fabric 1 includes a converging end portion 7 in which the tip side of the optical fiber 2 extending from the edge is bundled with a sleeve or the like. The converging end portion 7 is a portion connected to a light source 8 (see FIG. 6).

[0040] The optical fiber 2 is a side-emitting type. The optical fiber 2 has an exposed portion 2a exposed on the design surface side of the fabric 1 (see FIG. 3). The exposed portion 2a is disposed between a pair of non-light guide yarns 4. A gap S that opens to the design surface side of the fabric 1 is formed between the exposed portion 2a and each non-light guide yarn 4. That is, the gap S is formed on both sides of the exposed portion 2a. Note that the optical fiber 2 has a non-exposed portion 2b that is not exposed on the design surface side of the fabric 1 (see FIG. 4).

[0041] The shiny yarn 3 is disposed on the back side of the exposed portion 2a (i.e., closer to the back surface of the fabric 1 than the exposed portion 2a) so as to face the gap S formed on the side of the exposed portion 2a. Specifically, the central axis C2 of the shiny yarn 3 is offset in the plane direction A and the thickness direction B of the fabric with respect to the central axis C1 of the exposed portion 2a. Further, a plurality of (two in FIG. 3) shiny yarns 3 are arranged so as to overlap in the thickness direction A of the fabric with respect to one exposed portion 2a.

[0042] The shiny yarn 3 is a metallic shiny yarn 3 having a metallic luster. The metallic shiny yarn 3 is formed by combining a foil yarn 5 (various platings, various alloys, etc.) and a core yarn 6 (polyester, aramid, etc.) (see FIG. 5). Specifically, the metallic shiny yarn 3 is a copper foil yarn formed by spirally wrapping a foil yarn (flat foil) 5 formed by rolling a copper wire around a core yarn 6. Note that the shiny yarn 3 can have an exposed portion that is exposed on the design surface side of the fabric 1 (see FIG. 4(b)).

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the skin material 15 according to this embodiment includes the above-described fabric 1. Further, the skin material 15 further includes a cushion layer 16 laminated on the back surface side of the fabric 1. However, a skin material 15 that does not include the cushion layer 16 may be employed.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 7, the interior component 18 according to this embodiment includes a base material 19 and the above-described skin material 15 that covers all or part of the surface of the base material 19. The base material 19 is formed in a plate shape from a synthetic resin. Further, the interior component 18 is a component that constitutes an interior product for a vehicle (for example, an ornament that constitutes a door trim).

[0045] Next, the functions and effects of the fabric 1, the skin material 15, and the interior component 18 configured as described above will be described. In this fabric 1, light from the light source 8 is incident on the converging end portion 7, and the light is emitted from the design surface of the fabric 1 by the optical fiber 2. At this time, a part of the light leaking from the side surface (circumferential surface) of the optical fiber 2 (mainly the light directed toward the back surface side of the fabric 1) is reflected by the lustrous yarn 3 to the design surface side of the fabric 1 through the gap S. Therefore, the luminance of the exposed portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 is increased. On the other hand, in a form where the lustrous yarn 3 is not woven directly below (the lower surface structure) the exposed portion 2a of the optical fiber 2, a part of the light leaking from the side surface of the optical fiber 2 is not reflected at all and leaks to the back surface side.

[0046] From the above, according to the fabric 1 of this embodiment, it includes a lustrous yarn 3 woven along the optical fiber 2. The optical fiber 2 has an exposed portion 2a exposed on the design surface side of the fabric 1, and the lustrous yarn 3 is disposed on the back side of the exposed portion 2a so as to face the gap S formed on the side of the exposed portion 2a. Thereby, a part of the light leaking from the side surface of the optical fiber 2 is reflected by the lustrous yarn 3 to the design surface side of the fabric 1 through the gap S. Therefore, without damaging the optical fiber 2, the luminance of the exposed portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 can be increased on the design surface side of the fabric 1.

[0047] Also, in this embodiment, the central axis C2 of the lustrous yarn 3 is arranged offset in the fabric surface direction A with respect to the central axis C1 of the exposed portion 2a. Thereby, the leakage light from the optical fiber 2 is effectively reflected by the lustrous yarn 3 arranged in an offset manner. Therefore, the luminance of the exposed portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 can be further increased.

[0048] Also, in this embodiment, the lustrous yarn 3 is provided so as to face each gap S formed on both sides of the exposed portion 2a. Thereby, the leakage light from the optical fiber 2 is effectively reflected by the lustrous yarn 3 through each gap S. Therefore, the luminance of the exposed portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 can be further increased.

[0049] In addition, in this embodiment, a plurality of the lustrous yarns 3 are arranged so as to overlap in the fabric thickness direction B with respect to one exposed portion 2a. As a result, the leakage light from the optical fiber 2 is effectively reflected by the plurality of lustrous yarns 3. Therefore, the luminance of the exposed portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 can be further increased.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lustrous yarn 3 is a metallic lustrous yarn. As a result, the leakage light from the optical fiber 2 is effectively reflected by the metallic lustrous yarn 3. Therefore, the luminance of the exposed portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 can be further increased.

[0051] According to the skin material 15 of this embodiment, the above-described fabric 1 is provided. As a result, part of the light leaking from the side surface of the optical fiber 2 is reflected by the lustrous yarn 3 to the design surface side of the fabric 1 through the gap S. Therefore, the luminance of the exposed portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 can be increased on the design surface side of the skin material 15 without damaging the optical fiber 2.

[0052] According to the interior component 18 of this embodiment, a base material 19 and the above-described skin material 15 that covers the surface of the base material 19 are provided. As a result, part of the light leaking from the side surface of the optical fiber 2 is reflected by the lustrous yarn 3 to the design surface side of the fabric 1 through the gap S. Therefore, the luminance of the exposed portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 can be increased on the design surface side of the interior component 18 without damaging the optical fiber 2.

[0053] Next, a luminance measurement test using an optical fiber and a copper foil yarn (metallic lustrous yarn) will be described. In this test, as the optical fiber, a side-emitting optical fiber 2 having a diameter of 0.25 mm was used. As the copper foil yarn, a copper foil yarn 3 having a diameter of 0.28 mm formed by spirally wrapping a foil yarn (flat foil) 5 obtained by rolling a copper wire around a core yarn 6 was used.

[0054] In the luminance measurement test (with copper foil threads), as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 9, on the four copper foil threads 3 pasted with tape 21 on the test surface (black), an optical fiber 2 with one end connected to the light source 8 was arranged, and the luminance of the optical fiber 2 was measured three times at a position P 350 mm away from the light source 8. As a result, the first measurement was 0.20 cd / m 2 , the second measurement was 0.19 cd / m 2 , and the third measurement was 0.19 cd / m 2 , and their average was 0.19 cd / m 2 .

[0055] On the other hand, in the luminance measurement test (without copper foil threads), as shown in FIG. 7(b), on the test surface (black) at a position deviated from the four copper foil threads 3, an optical fiber 2 with one end connected to the light source 8 was arranged, and the luminance of the optical fiber 2 was measured three times at a position P 350 mm away from the light source 8. As a result, the first measurement was 0.13 cd / m 2 , the second measurement was 0.13 cd / m 2 , and the third measurement was 0.12 cd / m 2 , and their average was 0.13 cd / m 2 .

[0056] From the above, it was found that when the copper foil thread 3 was interposed directly below the optical fiber 2, the luminance was increased by about 1.5 times compared with the case where the copper foil thread 3 was not interposed directly below the optical fiber 2. That is, it was confirmed that the leakage light from the optical fiber 2 was effectively reflected by the copper foil thread 3 (metallic gloss thread) to improve the luminance.

[0057] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modified embodiments can be adopted within the scope of the present invention according to the purpose and application. That is, in the fabric 1 of the above-described embodiment, usually, a large number of exposed portions 2a of the optical fiber 2 are formed on the design surface side. However, it may be configured to improve the luminance of all of these exposed portions 2a, or it may be configured to improve the luminance of some of the exposed portions 2a. The former can be configured, for example, by forming a gap S on the side of all of the exposed portions 2a and arranging the lustrous yarn 3 along all of the plurality of optical fibers 2. On the other hand, the latter can be configured, for example, by forming a gap S only on the side of some of the exposed portions 2a or by arranging the lustrous yarn 3 along only some of the plurality of optical fibers 2.

[0058] The foregoing examples are merely for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. Although the present invention has been described by way of examples of typical embodiments, it is to be understood that the language used in the description and illustration of the present invention is not restrictive but explanatory and exemplary. As detailed herein, changes can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention in its form. Here, specific structures, materials, and examples have been referred to in the detailed description of the present invention, but it is not intended to limit the present invention to the disclosure herein. Rather, the present invention is intended to cover all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses within the scope of the appended claims.

Industrial Applicability

[0059] The present invention is widely used as a technology related to a fabric in which an optical fiber and a lustrous yarn are woven.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1; Fabric 2; Optical fiber 2a; Exposed portion 3; Lustrous yarn 4; Non-light-guiding yarn 15; Skin material 16; Interior part A; Plane direction of the fabric B; Thickness direction of the fabric C1; Central axis of the exposed portion of the optical fiber C2; Central axis S of the lustrous yarn; Gap.

Claims

1. A fabric in which optical fibers are woven, comprising a lustrous yarn woven along the optical fibers, wherein the optical fibers have an exposed portion exposed on the design surface side of the fabric, and the lustrous yarn is disposed on the back side of the exposed portion so as to face a gap formed on the side of the exposed portion. The fabric is characterized by this.

2. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the central axis of the lustrous yarn is offset in the plane direction of the fabric with respect to the central axis of the exposed portion.

3. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the lustrous yarn is provided so as to face each gap formed on both sides of the exposed portion.

4. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the lustrous yarn is a metallic lustrous yarn.

5. A skin material comprising the fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. An interior component comprising a base material and the skin material according to claim 5 that covers the surface of the base material.

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