3D Multilayer Fabric for Complete Light Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fabrics with single-layer intermediate structures fail to provide complete light shielding, making them unsuitable for applications requiring perfect light blocking, such as movie theaters and laboratories.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional multilayer fabric is developed with a surface layer, a backing layer, and an intermediate layer, where the intermediate layer has a multi-layered structure composed of first and second intermediate portions, allowing for transformation between two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes and enabling perfect light shielding through a novel weaving technique on a single loom.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single-layer intermediate structure is used in fabric, then the manufacturing process is simple, but light shielding is incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlight shielding effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate layer is segmented into multiple sub-layers (first intermediate layer and second intermediate layer) with different functions. The first intermediate layer provides structural support while the second intermediate layer enhances light shielding, allowing each layer to be optimized independently for its specific function rather than requiring a single complex layer to do everything

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fabric uses a composite structure combining different types of threads (warp threads, weft threads, and intermediate threads) arranged in specific patterns to create the multi-layer intermediate structure. This composite approach allows the fabric to achieve superior light shielding properties by combining the advantages of different thread arrangements and layer configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If fabric structure is fixed in two-dimensional form, then the manufacturing process is simple, but design variety and light-shielding effects are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddesign variety and light-shielding effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fabric incorporates movable intermediate layers that can shift relative to the surface and backing layers, allowing the fabric to dynamically change its light-shielding properties. By moving the intermediate layers, the fabric can transition between different optical states (from transparent to opaque), providing adaptive light control functionality that enhances design versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an additional dimensional aspect by creating a multi-layer structure with intermediate layers positioned between the surface and backing layers. This extra layer adds depth and complexity to the fabric structure, enabling new light-shielding mechanisms and design possibilities that are not available in traditional two-dimensional single-layer fabrics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2216433B13-D fabric and preparing thereof
Publication Date: 2016.02.03 YOUIL
  • EP2216433B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2216433B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2216433B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A three-dimensional multilayer fabric is provided. The fabric comprises a surface layer, a backing layer, and an intermediate layer connecting the surface layer and the backing layer. The intermediate layer has a multi-layered structure where a multiple of a fabric is separated each other. The three-dimensional multilayer fabric can be woven on a single loom in a batch operation and undergo transformation between two-dimensional shape and three-dimensional shape. This fabric is applicable as materials for blinds with high light-shielding rate because intermediate portions have a multi-layered structure.