Breathable Multilayer Composite Material with Visible Pore Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breathable multi-layer composite materials used in artificial leather lack visible indication of breathability and are prone to soiling, making it difficult for users to appreciate their functionality and clean them effectively.
Innovation Solution
The composite material is designed with a contrasting colored base layer visible through the surface layer, allowing the pores to be visible to the naked eye and incorporating features like pigments and additives for enhanced visibility and cleaning properties, while maintaining breathability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If breathable films with continuous pores are used, then air and water vapor permeability are improved, but visual appearance and soiling resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the artificial leather into multiple functional layers: a breathable base layer with continuous pores for air and vapor permeability, and a separate topcoat layer for visual appearance and soiling resistance. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising others.
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers are assigned different properties: the base layer has high porosity (30-80%) for breathability, while the topcoat layer has lower porosity (5-20%) and contains pigments/effect additives for visual appeal and contaminant resistance. Each layer's quality is optimized for its specific role in the composite structure.
2Loss of information
If pores are made visible through color contrast, then visual appearance and breathability indication are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses color contrast between layers to make pores visible. The base layer and topcoat layer are colored differently (e.g., dark base with light topcoat or vice versa), creating visual indication of pore locations and breathability without requiring additional optical components or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material structure combining multiple layers with different properties: breathable polymer base layer, pigmented layers for color contrast, and effect additives for enhanced visibility. This composite approach integrates multiple functions (breathability, visibility, aesthetics) into a unified material system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a visually apparent breathability and improved cleaning behavior, reducing the material's tendency to become dirty, making it suitable for applications like artificial leather with enhanced aesthetic and functional properties.
Implementation Method 1
at least the base layers contain dyes and/or pigments and are colored accordingly... the at least one base layer be colored in such a contrasting way to the surface layer that the pores formed in the surface layer are visible when viewing the visible surface layer
Implementation Method 2
continuous gas- and water vapor-permeable pores... air or gas permeability and water vapor permeability
Implementation Method 3
the concentration of the effect additives and/or pigments used is adjusted differently in the surface layer and the at least one base layer to such an extent that a different color contrast results
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a breathable multilayer composite material, comprising at least a visible surface layer and at least one base layer arranged below the surface layer, each of which is formed with continuously extending gas- and water vapor-permeable pores, wherein the surface layer and/or at least one base layer contains dyes and/or pigments and is colored accordingly, wherein the surface layer and the at least one base layer are colored in such a contrasting manner that the pores formed in the surface layer are visible when viewing the visible surface layer.