Composite sheet material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing composite sheet materials for vehicle interiors and furniture face challenges with high formability and strength, as they tend to lose strength during thermoforming and have inadequate resistance to heat and stains, especially when using heat fusible fibers for bonding processes.

Innovation Solution

A composite sheet material comprising a skin sheet attached with a woven fabric through an adhesive resin layer, where the skin sheet is made of an entangled fiber network of ultra-fine fibers and an elastic polymer, with polyester fibers containing a 1,2-propanediol-derived component, providing high flexibility, strength, and thermal resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If heat fusible fibers are used for bonding the outer knit layer to the non-woven fabric layer, then formability and resistance to stain are improved, but the elegant appearance of suede-like artificial leather is greatly impaired by heat during the bonding process

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveformabilityVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the bonding mechanism from thermal (heat fusible fibers) to mechanical (cold-setting adhesive), altering the process parameters to avoid heat exposure. This allows the bonding process to occur at lower temperatures that do not damage the suede-like appearance while still achieving high formability through the adhesive bonding method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an adhesive resin layer as an intermediary bonding agent between the knit layer and non-woven fabric layer, replacing the direct thermal bonding method. This intermediary substance enables strong bonding without requiring high temperatures, thus preserving the aesthetic quality of the suede-like surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If heat fusible fibers are used for bonding, then resistance to stain is improved, but the elegant appearance of suede-like artificial leather is greatly impaired by heat during the bonding process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to stainVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the bonding temperature parameter from high (heat fusible) to low (cold-setting adhesive), thereby eliminating the harmful thermal effect on appearance while maintaining the functional performance including stain resistance through the adhesive bonding structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive resin layer serves as an intermediary that provides both bonding function and stain resistance without requiring thermal processing, thus achieving reliability improvement without compromising appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional sheet materials are used for integral molding, then manufacturing is simplified, but effusion of molten resin on the surface of artificial leather occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsurface quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive resin layer acts as a protective intermediary barrier between the molten resin and the artificial leather surface. This intermediate layer prevents direct contact and effusion of molten resin onto the surface, maintaining surface quality while allowing the integral molding process to proceed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a protective layer or treatment beforehand to cushion against the harmful effect of molten resin effusion. This pre-protection measure ensures that even during simplified integral molding processes, the surface quality is preserved by preventing resin penetration and damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional sheet materials are used for integral molding, then manufacturing is simplified, but degradation of artificial leather due to high temperature of molten resin occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive resin layer serves as a thermal intermediary that protects the artificial leather from direct exposure to high temperatures of molten resin. This intermediate barrier allows the simplified integral molding process to occur while preventing thermal degradation and maintaining the durability of the artificial leather component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements pre-protection measures through the adhesive layer and surface treatment to cushion against thermal degradation before the high-temperature molding process begins, thereby preserving reliability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 composite sheet material maintains high strength and flexibility, with minimal strength loss during thermoforming, and exhibits excellent wear resistance and thermal stability, making it suitable for vehicle interiors and furniture applications.

Implementation Method 1

a composite sheet material comprising a skin sheet attached with a woven fabric through an adhesive resin layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the skin sheet is formed by impregnating an elastic polymer, also known as a polymeric elastomer, into an entangled fiber network

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

an adhesive resin that forms the adhesive resin layer is a moisture-curable resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11084260B2Composite sheet material
Publication Date: 2021.08.10 TORAY INDUSTRIES INC

AI summary

A composite sheet material includes a skin sheet and a woven fabric, wherein the skin sheet is formed by impregnating an elastic polymer into a base material consisting of an entangled fiber network, such as a nonwoven fabric, and wherein the composite sheet material has high thermal resistance and high formability suitable for integral molding. The composite sheet material is a composite sheet material including a skin sheet attached with a woven fabric through an adhesive resin layer, wherein the skin sheet is made of an entangled fiber network including ultra-fine fibers with an average single fiber diameter of 0.1 to 8 μm and of an elastic polymer, and wherein the woven fabric includes polyester fibers in which the polyester contains a 1,2-propanediol-derived component at a concentration of 1 to 500 ppm.