Luminous textiles, methods for manufacturing the same, and interior materials for vehicles

Abstract

To provide a light-emitting woven fabric having the luminance enlarged within a desired region, a manufacturing method thereof, and an interior material for a vehicle using the light-emitting woven fabric.SOLUTION: A light-emitting woven fabric 1 is obtained by weaving a light guide yarn 2 thereinto. The light guide yarn 2 is a side emission type light guide yarn having a core-clad structure, and the clad of at least part of the light guide yarn 2 exposed to a design surface 1a side of the light-emitting woven fabric 1 is blast-ground. The vehicle interior material includes the light-emitting woven fabric 1. The manufacturing method of the light-emitting woven fabric includes a blasting step of blast-grinding the clad of at least part of the light guide yarn exposed to the design surface side of the woven fabric to be the light-emitting woven fabric.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a light-emitting fabric, a method for manufacturing the same, and an interior material for a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a light-emitting fabric containing a light guide yarn as a constituent yarn, a method for manufacturing the same, and an interior material for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a light-emitting fabric using a light guide yarn (optical fiber) as a constituent yarn has been known. When light is incident from one end of the light-emitting fabric, the incident light leaks from the side surface of the light guide yarn, which is the constituent yarn, until it reaches the other end, so that the surface of the light-emitting fabric appears to emit light. A technique related to such a light-emitting fabric is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. In addition, a method using a laser beam as a processing method for realizing light emission from the side surface of such a light guide yarn is disclosed in Patent Document 2 below.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the light guide yarn used in the light-emitting fabric is originally a yarn whose purpose is to allow the light incident from one end to reach the other end, for example, it is not supplied with a specification that all the incident light leaks in a short distance and the light cannot reach the other end. Therefore, there is a situation where users form or purchase a light-emitting fabric using a standardized light guide yarn and use its side surface light emission performance (light leakage performance) as it is. However, in terms of luminescent designs, it is believed that the degree of freedom in luminescent designs can be dramatically improved if it is possible to control how much light is emitted (leaked) and at what distance from the point of incidence of light to the light guide thread. In this regard, for example, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in luminescent designs by adjusting the amount of incident light, but in order to handle large amounts of light, it is necessary to respond to an increase in the energy used, and the associated parts will also become larger. Furthermore, since there will be a large amount of excess light from the exit end of the light guide thread, ingenuity is required in dealing with this excess light. Thus, current luminescent fabrics have the problem that it is not possible to expand the side emission performance (leaked performance) according to the location and purpose of use.

[0005] While Patent Document 1 discloses an optical fiber illumination device aimed at reducing uneven light emission in optical fiber fabrics, it does not describe or suggest the necessity, means, or configuration for controlling side-emitting performance (leakage performance). Patent Document 2 discloses a method for manufacturing a high-brightness luminescent fabric using a laser etching method that can uniformly and precisely etch the cladding of optical fibers, precisely adjust the etching depth, and not damage other constituent threads. Although this technology may be useful for expanding side-emitting performance, the laser etching method is a process that focuses the laser beam, so the processing range is limited to a very narrow, spot-like area. For this reason, controlling the side-emitting performance (leakage performance) of a luminescent fabric using the laser etching method would require an enormous amount of processing time, making it impractical from the standpoint of processing time and cost. Furthermore, as mentioned above, when using the laser etching method, the processing is spot-like, the cladding is removed in a dot-like or linear manner, and the boundary between the processed and unprocessed areas becomes clear. For this reason, each light-guiding thread becomes a dot-like or linear luminescence pattern, and it is also problematic that a luminescent pattern with a continuous spread cannot be formed.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a luminescent fabric in which the brightness of a desired region is enlarged, a method for manufacturing a luminescent fabric that can enlarge the brightness of a desired region, and an interior material for vehicles using such a luminescent fabric. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In other words, the present invention includes the following: [1] A light-emitting fabric in which light-guiding threads are woven, The aforementioned light guide thread is a side-emitting type light guide thread having a core-clad structure, A luminescent fabric characterized in that at least a portion of the cladding of the light-guiding threads exposed on the design surface side of the luminescent fabric is blast-ground. [2] The light-guiding yarn is woven together with the non-light-guiding yarn, The luminescent fabric according to [1] above, wherein the exposed portion exposed from between the non-light-guiding threads is blast-ground. [3] When P is the center of the substantially circular cross-section of the light guide thread perpendicular to the light guide direction, The luminescent fabric according to [1] or [2] above, wherein θ1 is the angle of the blast-ground region extending from P, and θ0 is the angle of the unblast-ground region extending from P, and θ1 ≥ θ0. [4] The luminescent fabric according to [2] above, wherein the non-light-guiding yarn is a multifilament. [5] An interior material for a vehicle, characterized by comprising a luminescent fabric as described in any of [1] to [4] above. [6] A method for manufacturing a light-emitting fabric in which light-guiding threads are woven, The aforementioned light guide thread is a side-emitting type light guide thread having a core-clad structure, A method for manufacturing a luminescent fabric, characterized by comprising a blasting step of blast grinding off at least a portion of the cladding of the light-guiding threads exposed on the design surface side of the fabric that will become the luminescent fabric. [7] The method for producing a luminescent fabric according to [6] above, wherein the projection material used in the blasting step is a water-soluble inorganic compound. [8] The method for manufacturing a luminescent fabric according to [7] above, wherein the projection material has an average particle size of 0.01 to 0.6 mm. [9] A method for manufacturing a luminescent fabric according to any one of [6] to [8] above, comprising a washing step of washing the fabric that will become the luminescent fabric after the blasting step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention provides a luminescent fabric in which the brightness of a desired region is expanded. More specifically, since the cladding of the light-guiding threads exposed on the design surface side is removed or thinned by blast grinding, the entire region of the light-guiding threads exposed on the design surface side can be widely and efficiently illuminated in the blast-ground area. As a result, the luminescent fabric can be made in which the luminescence of that region is uniformly expanded compared to before blast grinding. Furthermore, this makes it possible to obtain a luminescent design with excellent spreadability and continuity. According to the vehicle interior material of the present invention, since it includes the above-mentioned luminescent fabric, it is possible to obtain a luminescent design with excellent spreadability and continuity. According to this method for manufacturing luminescent fabrics, the brightness of a desired area of ​​the luminescent fabric can be increased. More specifically, since the cladding of the light-guiding threads exposed on the design surface can be removed or thinned by blast grinding, the entire area of ​​the light-guiding threads exposed on the design surface can be widely and efficiently illuminated in the blast-ground area. As a result, a luminescent fabric can be obtained in which the luminescence of that area is uniformly increased compared to before blast grinding. Furthermore, this makes it possible to obtain a luminescent design with excellent spreadability and continuity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] The present invention will be further described in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, which refer to several drawings, with the same reference numerals indicating the same parts in several of the drawings. [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a luminescent fabric. [Figure 2]It is an explanatory diagram for explaining a blast - ground light - guiding yarn. [Figure 3] It is an explanatory diagram for explaining a laser - etched light - guiding yarn. [Figure 4] It is an explanatory diagram for explaining a blast process. [Figure 5] It is an explanatory diagram for explaining a water - washing process. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory diagram for explaining a drying process.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The matters shown here are exemplary and for exemplarily explaining the embodiments of the present invention. It is described for the purpose of providing an explanation that can most effectively and without difficulty understand 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 more than necessary for a fundamental understanding of the present invention, and it is to clarify to those skilled in the art how some forms of the present invention are actually embodied by the description combined with the drawings.

[0011] [1] Light - emitting fabric The light - emitting fabric (1) of the present invention is a light - emitting fabric (1) in which a light - guiding yarn (2) is woven, The light - guiding yarn (2) is a side - emitting light - guiding yarn having a core - clad structure, It is characterized in that at least a part of the clad (21) of the light - guiding yarn exposed on the design surface (1a) side of the present light - emitting fabric (1) is blast - ground (see Fig. 1).

[0012] The light-emitting fabric 1 may be formed only from the light guide yarns 2, but usually has non-light guide yarns 3. That is, when having non-light guide yarns 3, the light-emitting fabric 1 is woven from light guide yarns 2 and non-light guide yarns 3. The light guide yarns 2 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 guide yarns 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 both warp and weft yarns.

[0013] The light guide yarn 2 is a yarn 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 sheat, that is, a "core-clad structure", and can perform light guiding based on the refractive index difference between the core and the sheat. The light guide yarn 2 only needs to have a core-clad structure, and may have a core-clad structure having one core for one clad, or may have a core-clad structure having two or more cores for one clad (see Fig. 1).

[0014] Also, the light guide yarn 2 may be a multifilament, but usually is 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 light guide yarn 2 is preferably made of resin. Specifically, <1> a light guide yarn 2 in which a core resin and a clad resin are combined so as to have a refractive index relationship that does not cause total reflection at the core-sheath interface (core-clad interface), <2> a light guide yarn 2 in which a light scattering substance is blended in the core resin, etc. can be used.

[0015] Specifically, (1) above is a side-emitting type light guide thread 2 that utilizes the phenomenon in which light guided through the core is not totally reflected at the core-sheath interface and leaks out from the sheath to the outside. On the other hand, (2) above is a side-emitting type light guide thread 2 that utilizes the phenomenon in which scattered light scattered by the light-scattering material during the light guide process leaks out from the side due to the composition of the scattering material. In the light guide thread 2 of (2) above, the brightness can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of the light-scattering material that is added. Furthermore, there may be side-emitting type light guide threads 2 with configurations other than those described above. These light guide threads 2 may be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0016] The diameter of the light guide yarn 2 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of obtaining suitable weaving properties, it can be, for example, 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. Furthermore, the proportion of light guide yarn 2 in the warp or weft is not limited, but when the total number of warp threads is 100% or the total number of weft threads is 100%, it is usually 10% or more for each direction of yarn, preferably 10% to 90%, more preferably 20% to 80%, and even more preferably 30% to 70%. In particular, when light guide yarn 2 is included only as weft, the light guide yarn is 0% of the total number of warp threads (100%), and 10% or more of the total number of weft threads (100%), preferably 10% to 90%, more preferably 20% to 80%, and even more preferably 30% to 70%.

[0017] In the luminescent fabric 1 of the present invention, at least a portion of the cladding 21 of the light-guiding threads 2 exposed on the design surface 1a side is blast-ground. "Blast-ground" means that the cladding 21 is ground by the projection of a projectile material. Details regarding blast grinding will be described separately. The blast-ground light guide thread 2 (see Figure 2) has either its cladding 21 removed, exposing the core 22, or the cladding 21 is thinner than that of the unblast-ground areas (thinned). These configurations may be mixed. This configuration allows for a greater amount of light leakage from the blast-ground areas 25 compared to the unblast-ground areas. Typically, in the cross-sectional shape of the light guide thread 2, the outer shape of the blast-ground areas 25 is located closer to the center than the outer shape of the unblast-ground areas. Therefore, its cross-sectional shape is not circular.

[0018] Furthermore, by removing or thinning the cladding 21 by blast grinding, the light guide threads 2 exposed from the design surface in a desired area can be ground all at once, and a wide area of ​​the exposed surface of the light guide threads 2 can be ground. That is, the light guide threads 2 exposed on the design surface 1a side can be said to be the light guide threads 2 that are normally exposed between the non-light guide threads 3 on the design surface 1a. In this way, there are many parts of the light guide threads 2 that are exposed between the non-light guide threads 3 (i.e., exposed parts) on the design surface 1a of the luminescent fabric 1, but it is possible to create a configuration in which multiple adjacent exposed parts are ground all at once. As a result, the drop in luminescence between adjacent exposed parts can be suppressed, making it easier to obtain continuity of the luminescent design and form a luminescent design with a wide area.

[0019] In other words, when removing or thinning the cladding using the laser etching method (see Figure 3), it is necessary to process the material in a way that does not damage the adjacent non-light-guide threads 3, making it difficult to remove or thin the cladding 21 from the entire exposed surface of the light-guide threads 2. Therefore, when the cladding is removed or thinned using the laser etching method, the processed area 26 will emit light in a narrow area, like a bright spot or a bright line, making it difficult to obtain continuity of the luminescent design between adjacent light-guide threads 2 and difficult to form a broad luminescent design. In contrast, in the luminescent fabric 1 of the present invention, as described above, the exposed portion of the light-guide threads 2 can be ground all at once, and the exposed surface of the light-guide threads 2 can be ground widely up to the boundary region with the adjacent non-light-guide threads 3. Therefore, the drop in luminescence between adjacent light-guide threads 2 can be kept to a minimum, making it easier to obtain continuity of the luminescent design and form a broad luminescent design.

[0020] More specifically, in a blast-ground light guide thread 2, if P is the center of a substantially circular cross-section perpendicular to the light-guiding direction of the light guide thread 2, then if θ1 is the angle of the blast-ground region extending from P and θ0 is the angle of the unblast-ground region extending from P, then θ1 ≥ θ0 can be achieved. This configuration is particularly evident in the light guide thread 2 that is the upper thread on the design surface 1a side of the luminescent fabric 1.

[0021] Furthermore, the non-light-guiding yarn 3 is a yarn that does not possess light-guiding properties. The non-light-guiding yarn 3 may be a monofilament, but it is preferable that it be a multifilament. By being a multifilament, it is possible to prevent or suppress the grinding of the non-light-guiding yarn 3 by blast grinding. That is, when the non-light-guiding yarn 3 is a multifilament, it can absorb or mitigate the impact of the projectile material. This allows the strength of the luminescent fabric 1 to be maintained. That is, if the non-light-guiding yarn 3 is a monofilament, it may be ground down in the same way as the light-guiding yarn 2 by blast grinding, and there is a concern that the strength of the luminescent fabric 1 will decrease due to grinding. In this respect, by preventing or suppressing the grinding of the non-light-guiding yarn 3, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the strength of the luminescent fabric 1.

[0022] The material constituting the non-light-guiding thread 3 is not limited and may be a natural fiber or a synthetic fiber. If it is a synthetic fiber, examples of its constituent resins include polyamide resins such as nylon 6 and nylon 66, polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, and polyacrylic resins. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more.

[0023] The fineness of the non-light-guiding thread 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. Furthermore, if the non-light-guiding thread 3 is a multifilament, the number of constituent threads 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 threads is not limited, but for example, it can be 10,000 or less, 5,000 or less, or 2,500 or less.

[0024] Furthermore, the non-light-guiding thread 3 does not have to contain a light-transmitting inhibitor, but it may contain one. If the non-light-guiding thread 3 contains a light-transmitting inhibitor, the light-shielding properties of the light-guiding thread 2 can be improved. The light-transmitting component can be any component that can inhibit light transmission. For example, it may inhibit light transmission by reflection and dispersion, by absorption, or by other means. Specifically, examples include colorants (pigments, dyes, etc.), light absorbers, and fillers (various types of fillers, etc.).

[0025] The weave structure of the luminescent fabric 1 of the present invention is not limited, and conventionally known weave structures can be used as appropriate. Specifically, for example, plain weave, twill weave, satin weave, etc., can be used. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. Furthermore, the weave structure of the luminescent fabric 1 of the present invention is not limited, and conventionally known weave structures can be used as appropriate. Specifically, it may be a single-layer weave, a multi-layer weave, or a combination of these.

[0026] In the luminescent fabric 1 of the present invention, the entire surface of the design may be blast-ground, or only a portion of it may be blast-ground. An example of a case where only a portion is blast-ground is when a pattern is formed on the luminescent fabric 1 by blast grinding. In this case, the luminescence of the pattern can be amplified compared to other parts. That is, the brightness of the blast-ground area of ​​the luminescent fabric 1 can be made greater than the brightness of the unblast-ground area. This allows for the creation of designs that utilize the brightness difference between the blast-ground and unblast-ground areas. Examples of such patterns include pictures, letters, and patterns (repeating patterns, line patterns, etc.). Only one of these may be used, or two or more may be used in combination.

[0027] Furthermore, in the luminescent fabric 1 of the present invention, the brightness in a desired region is increased, allowing the light source to be used with reduced power. This reduces the amount of energy used for luminescence in the luminescent fabric 1. Also, because the power of the light source can be reduced, the amount of heat generated by the light source can be improved, and the size of associated components can be kept small. The luminescent fabric 1 of the present invention may have a convergent end formed by bundling light guide threads 2 together and aligning their end faces for connection to a light source. The convergent end may be just one, or it may have multiple convergent ends formed by bundling an appropriate number of light guide threads 2 together to match the luminescent design.

[0028] [2] Interior materials for vehicles The interior material for vehicles of the present invention is characterized by comprising the luminescent fabric 1 of the present invention. In vehicle interior materials, the luminescent fabric 1 can be used as the surface on the interior side. That is, it can be used to create the design of the vehicle interior material. Furthermore, the interior material for vehicles may include other components besides the luminescent fabric 1. Examples of other components include a base material and a light source (such as an LED light source). Only one of these may be used, or two or more may be used in combination.

[0029] The base material is a component on which the luminescent fabric 1 is fixed. The base material can be formed from any material, for example, a resin material. Examples of resin materials include polyolefins, polyesters, and polyamides. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. Alternatively, a fibrous molded body formed by binding reinforcing fibers with a binder resin can be used as the base material. In this case, polyolefin can be used as the binder resin. As reinforcing fibers, plant fibers, resin fibers (polyester fibers, polyamide fibers, etc.), inorganic fibers (glass fibers, carbon fibers, etc.) can be used. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. Among the above, plant fibers such as kenaf, hemp, and jute can be used. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. In a fibrous molded article, the ratio of binder resin to reinforcing fiber is not limited, but when the total of binder resin and reinforcing fiber is taken as 100% by mass, the proportion of reinforcing fiber can be 10-90% by mass, 25-75% by mass, 35-65% by mass, etc.

[0030] Examples of interior materials for vehicles, when applied to automobiles and other vehicles, include trim components such as door trims, armrests, upper trims, decorative panels, ornament panels, lower trims, pockets (door trim pockets), quarter trims, and deck side trims; seat components such as pillar garnishes, cowl side garnishes (cowl side trims), and side airbag surround components; instrument panel components such as center clusters, registers, center boxes (doors), grab doors, and airbag surround components; center consoles; overhead consoles; sun visors; deck boards (luggage boards), under trays; package trays; CRS covers; seat side garnishes; and assist grips. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more types. In addition to automobiles and other vehicles, other types of vehicles include railway cars, aircraft, and ships.

[0031] [3] Method for manufacturing luminescent fabric The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a luminescent fabric, in which a light-guiding thread 2 is woven into the fabric, Light guide thread 2 is a side-emitting type light guide thread having a core-clad structure, The invention is characterized by comprising a blasting step R1 in which at least a portion of the cladding 21 of the light-guiding threads 2 exposed on the design surface 10a side of the fabric 10 that becomes the luminescent fabric 1 is blast-ground (see Figure 4).

[0032] In this method, the light guide yarn, core-clad structure, and side-emitting light guide yarn are as described above. Furthermore, the fabric 10 is the fabric 10 that becomes the luminescent fabric 1, and although it differs from the finished luminescent fabric 1 in that it has not undergone the blasting process R1, its composition is as described above.

[0033] The "blasting process (R1)" described above is a process of blast grinding off at least a portion of the cladding 21 of the light guide yarns 2 that is exposed on the design surface 10a side of the fabric 10. In other words, blasting process R1 is a process of grinding off the cladding 21 by projecting a projectile. This process can be carried out using a blasting device 15. This grinding can remove or thin the cladding 21 of the light guide yarns 2 that is exposed on the design surface 10a side of the fabric 10.

[0034] In other words, in this method, the cladding 21 of the light guide threads 2 exposed on the design surface 1a side of the luminescent fabric 1 can be removed or thinned by blast grinding. "Blast grinding" means grinding the cladding 21 by projecting a projectile. By blast grinding, the cladding 21 of the light guide threads 2 that was present before processing can be removed, or the thickness of the cladding 21 can be reduced (thinned). These embodiments may be combined. This makes it possible to increase the amount of light leakage from the blast-ground area.

[0035] Furthermore, by removing or thinning the cladding 21 through blast grinding, the light guide threads 2 exposed from the design surface in a desired area can be ground all at once, and a wide area of ​​the exposed surface of the light guide threads 2 can be ground. As a result, the drop in luminescence between adjacent exposed areas can be suppressed, making it easier to obtain continuity in the luminescent design and form a luminescent design with a wide area. In addition to being able to grind a wide area, grinding can also be performed continuously. Therefore, the raw material of the luminescent fabric can be fed into the blasting device and continuously blast-processed, resulting in excellent mass productivity.

[0036] In blasting process R1, the abrasive material used is not limited. That is, the material, hardness, and shape of the abrasive material are not limited. Furthermore, the abrasive method is not limited. That is, it may be mechanical abrasive, pneumatic abrasive, or wet abrasive. Also, the abrasive conditions such as abrasive speed, abrasive angle, abrasive volume, and abrasive pressure are not limited.

[0037] Among the above, it is preferable that the material of the abrasive material is water-soluble (including hot water soluble). If the material of the abrasive material is water-soluble, after blasting in the blasting process R1, the abrasive material and its residue that have adhered to the processed fabric 10 or have become embedded between the constituent threads can be removed by washing with water (or hot water). The degree of water solubility is not limited, but it is preferable that the solubility in water be 5g / 100g (20℃) or more.

[0038] The water-soluble material may be a water-soluble resin or a water-soluble organic substance such as sucrose, but a water-soluble inorganic compound is preferred from the viewpoint of obtaining higher cleaning performance. Examples of water-soluble inorganic compounds include sodium bicarbonate [9.6g / 100g (20°C)], sodium carbonate [21.6g / 100g (20°C)], potassium nitrate [31.6g / 100g (20°C)], potassium bicarbonate [33.3g / 100g (20°C)], potassium chloride [34.2g / 100g (20°C)], magnesium chloride [35.3g / 100g (20°C)], sodium chloride [35.8g / 100g (20°C)], calcium chloride [42.7g / 100g (20°C)], potassium bromide [60.0g / 100g (20°C)], sodium nitrate [88.0g / 100g (20°C)], etc. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0039] Among the above, the hardness of the projection material is preferably 1 or higher on the new Mohs hardness scale, more preferably 1.5 or higher, and even more preferably 2 or higher. There is no upper limit on the new Mohs hardness scale, but it is preferably 6 or lower, and more preferably 4 or lower. Furthermore, the shape of the projection material is preferably granular, and can also be spherical, polygonal, or the like. Furthermore, the average particle size of the projection material is preferably 0.01 mm or larger, more preferably 0.03 mm or larger, even more preferably 0.05 mm or larger, and particularly preferably 0.07 mm or larger. There is no upper limit to the average particle size, but it is preferably 0.6 or smaller, more preferably 0.5 or smaller, even more preferably 0.4 or smaller, and particularly preferably 0.3 or smaller. The average particle size of the projection material shall be the d50 value measured using a laser diffraction / scattering particle size analyzer. Furthermore, as mentioned above, from the viewpoint of projecting a water-soluble projection material, mechanical projection and / or pneumatic projection are preferred as projection methods.

[0040] In this method, steps other than the blasting step R1 may or may not be included, but a washing step R2 (see Figure 5) may be included after the blasting step R1 to wash the fabric 10 that will become the luminescent fabric 1. This step can be carried out using a washing tank 16. Furthermore, a drying step R3 (see Figure 6) may be included after the washing step R2 to dry the washed fabric 10. This step can be carried out using a drying apparatus 17. As mentioned above, when a water-soluble abrasive material is used as the abrasive material, the abrasive material and its fragments tend to remain in the fabric 10. However, by providing a water washing step R2, the abrasive material residue can be dissolved in water and easily removed.

[0041] The washing process R2 may be carried out in any way, for example, by spraying water onto the fabric 10, or by immersing the fabric 10 in a water tank, or by using any other method. These methods may be used individually or in combination of two or more. Furthermore, naturally, the water used may be at a temperature of 25°C or lower (cold water), or it may be at a temperature above 25°C (hot water). Generally, the higher the temperature of the water used for rinsing, the more preferable it is because the solubility of the substance to be removed increases.

[0042] Furthermore, in the present invention, the luminescent fabric 1 has at least a portion of the cladding 21 of the light guide threads 2 exposed on its design surface 1a side blast-ground. However, it is impossible or impractical to directly identify this blast-ground luminescent fabric by its structure or characteristics. Specifically, blast grinding is performed by blasting a large amount of projectile particles onto the fabric that will become the luminescent fabric. However, the projectile particles do not all have a uniform shape, and they irregularly collide with the light guide threads, removing or thinning the cladding of the light guide threads. Therefore, the removed or thinned parts do not have a specific shape and cannot be identified in general terms. Furthermore, while blast grinding increases brightness in the blast-ground areas, as mentioned above, the appearance is completely different compared to, for example, when brightness is increased by laser etching. This is thought to be because blast grinding grinds a wide area of ​​the exposed surface of the light guide threads up to the boundary region with adjacent non-light guide threads, thus minimizing the drop in luminescence between adjacent light guide threads. However, at a microscopic level, this varies from one ground area to another. Therefore, elucidating the mechanism of this effect might be possible by observing each individual part removed or thinned by blast grinding and calculating the average value of their shapes, but such measurement would require an enormous amount of time and cost. Thus, elucidating the mechanism would require an enormous amount of time and cost, and given the need for speed and other factors in patent applications, it is not at all practical. [Examples]

[0043] The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples. [1] Preparation of preliminary fabric A preliminary fabric was prepared using the following light-guiding yarn as part of the weft and the following non-light-guiding yarn as part of the weft and warp. Light guide thread: Side-emitting light guide thread (polymethyl methacrylate core, fluorinated resin cladding, 250 μm diameter) Non-light-guiding thread: Polyester multifilament (black)

[0044] [2] Blasting process (1) After blasting the fabric described in [1] above with all combinations of the following conditions: projection material 1 to 3, projection pressure 1 to 4, and nozzle movement speed 1 to 2, a water washing process and drying were performed to obtain a luminescent fabric.

[0045] Abrasive material 1: Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate with a purity of 99% or higher), average particle size 0.1 mm, new Mohs hardness 2.5, polygonal particle shape. Abrasive material 2: Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate with a purity of 99% or higher), average particle size 0.2 mm, new Mohs hardness 2.5, polygonal particle shape. Abrasive material 3: Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate with a purity of 99% or higher), average particle size 0.3 mm, new Mohs hardness 2.5, polygonal particle shape.

[0046] Spray pressure 1: 0.2 MPa, distance from nozzle tip to projection surface 150 mm Spray pressure 2: 0.3 MPa, distance from nozzle tip to projection surface: 150 mm Spray pressure 3: 0.4 MPa, distance from nozzle tip to projection surface 150 mm Spray pressure 4: 0.5 MPa, distance from nozzle tip to projection surface 150 mm

[0047] Nozzle movement speed: 1:200 mm / min Nozzle movement speed 2: 300 mm / min

[0048] [3] Evaluation of luminescent fabrics For each luminescent fabric obtained in [2](1) above, changes were observed when LED light was incident on it under the same conditions. As a result, in all luminescent fabrics, the luminescence was amplified in the processed fabric compared to the fabric before processing. Furthermore, in all luminescent fabrics, no damage was observed to the non-light-guiding threads, and only the light-guiding threads were ground down. In addition, no bright spots were observed, and the dip in luminescence between adjacent light-guiding threads was not noticeable, resulting in a continuity of the luminescent design and the formation of a broadly spreading luminescent design. Furthermore, when the grinding state of the cladding was checked in an image of a cross section perpendicular to the light-guiding direction magnified 160 times, it was found that θ1 ≥ θ0.

[0049] Furthermore, among these examples, a tendency was observed for the brightness on the light source side to increase as the average particle size of the projection material increased and the projection pressure increased. From the viewpoint of the continuity and spread of the luminous design in the luminous fabric, projection material 2 was preferred over projection material 3, and projection material 1 was even more preferred. Also, a spray pressure of 3 was preferred over spray pressure 4, and a spray pressure of 2 was even more preferred. The nozzle movement speed could be used without problems under all conditions.

[0050] Furthermore, the examples described herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as limiting the present invention. Although the present invention has been described with examples of typical embodiments, the language used in the description and illustrations of the present invention should be understood as descriptive and illustrative, not limiting. As detailed herein, modifications are possible within the scope or spirit of the present invention without departing in any way. While specific structures, materials, and examples have been referenced in this detailed description of the present invention, it is not intended to limit the present invention to the disclosures herein, but rather to encompass all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1; Luminous fabric, 1a; Design surface, 2; light guide thread, 21; cladding, 22; core, 3; Non-light-guiding thread, 10; Textiles (precursor textiles), 10a; Design surface, 15; Blast device, 16;Washing tank, 17;Drying equipment; R1; blasting process, R2;Water washing process, R3; Drying process.

Claims

1. A luminescent fabric in which light-guiding threads are woven, The aforementioned light guide thread is a side-emitting type light guide thread having a core-clad structure, At least a portion of the cladding of the light-guiding threads exposed on the design side of this luminescent fabric has been blast-ground. When P is the center of the substantially circular cross-section of the aforementioned light guide thread perpendicular to the light guide direction, A luminescent fabric characterized in that, when the angle of the blast-ground region extending from P is θ1 and the angle of the non-blast-ground region extending from P is θ0, θ1 ≥ θ0.

2. The light-guiding yarn is woven together with the non-light-guiding yarn. The luminescent fabric according to claim 1, wherein the exposed portion exposed from between the non-light-guiding threads is blast-ground.

3. The luminescent fabric according to claim 2, wherein the non-light-guiding yarn is a multifilament.

4. An interior material for a vehicle, characterized by comprising the luminescent fabric described in claim 1.

5. A method for manufacturing a light-emitting fabric in which light-guiding threads are woven, The aforementioned light guide thread is a side-emitting type light guide thread having a core-clad structure, A blasting step is performed to blast-grind at least a portion of the cladding of the light-guiding threads exposed on the design side of the fabric that will become the luminescent fabric. A method for manufacturing a luminescent fabric, characterized by comprising a washing step after the blasting step, in which the fabric is washed with water at a temperature of more than 25°C.

6. The method for producing a luminescent fabric according to claim 5, wherein the projection material used in the blasting step is a water-soluble inorganic compound.

7. The method for manufacturing a luminescent fabric according to claim 6, wherein the projection material has an average particle size of 0.01 to 0.6 mm.

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