Conductive Hook-and-Loop Fastener with Integrated Filament Yarn
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive hook-and-loop fasteners face issues with rapid degradation of conductive performance due to metal layer detachment during repeated engagement and release, lack of flexibility, and unsuitable aesthetics for clothing and interior applications, where the metal layer makes the fastener rigid and dark gray, and the heat generation efficiency is poor.
Innovation Solution
A conductive hook-and-loop fastener with loop engagement elements made from multifilament yarns containing conductive filaments, where the conductive filaments are integrated into the yarns before production, allowing for secure electrical conduction between overlapping fasteners without surface coating, maintaining flexibility and aesthetics, and enhancing heat generation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal layer is coated on the surface of hook engagement elements to provide conductivity, then conductive performance is improved, but the metal layer detaches during repeated engagement and release causing rapid degradation of conductive performance
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive function is extracted from the hook engagement elements and transferred to the loop engagement elements. The loop engagement elements are made conductive while the hook engagement elements remain non-conductive, eliminating the problem of metal layer detachment from the hook elements during repeated engagement and release.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductivity is applied locally only to the loop engagement elements rather than uniformly to both hook and loop elements. This localized application of conductivity to where it is most needed (the loop elements that remain stationary during engagement) maintains conductive performance while avoiding the detachment issues that would occur on the moving hook elements.
2Reliability
If a metal layer is coated on the entire surface of the hook-and-loop fastener to provide conductivity, then conductive performance is improved, but the fastener becomes rigid and dark gray, losing flexibility and aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
Conductivity is applied locally only to the loop engagement elements rather than the entire surface of the fastener. This selective localization allows the fastener to maintain its natural flexibility and aesthetic appearance in non-conductive areas while providing the necessary conductive function in specific regions where loop elements are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener surface is segmented into conductive regions (where loop engagement elements are located) and non-conductive regions (where hook engagement elements are located). This segmentation allows different parts of the fastener to have different properties, with only the necessary areas being conductive, thus preserving overall flexibility and aesthetics.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the thickness of the urethane layer coated on the plated layer is increased to prevent the plated layer from dropping off, then the plated layer durability is improved, but the conductive performance disappears
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive function is extracted from the hook engagement elements and assigned to the loop engagement elements instead. This eliminates the need for a plated layer on the hook elements that would require a thick protective urethane coating, thereby avoiding the trade-off between durability and conductive performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the hook engagement elements conductive (the conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by making the loop engagement elements conductive. This inversion eliminates the problem of metal layer detachment from the moving hook elements and removes the need for thick protective coatings that would block conductivity.
4Reliability
If conductive material is coated on the surface of engagement elements, then conductive performance is improved, but the engagement force decreases due to bundling of multifilament yarns with resin or metal
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive function is extracted from the hook engagement elements and transferred to the loop engagement elements. This allows the hook elements to remain as pure mechanical engagement structures without conductive material bundling, thereby maintaining high engagement force while still providing conductive capability through the loop elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductivity is applied locally only to the loop engagement elements, allowing the hook engagement elements to maintain their original mechanical properties and engagement force. The local application of conductivity to loop elements avoids the problem of conductive material bundling that would reduce engagement force in the hook elements.
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 ensures sustained conductive performance, flexibility, and improved aesthetics by integrating conductive filaments within the yarns, preventing metal layer detachment and allowing for efficient heat generation while maintaining high engagement force and conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
the conductive filament conducts electricity from the loop engagement elements to the back surface of the hook-and-loop fastener
Implementation Method 2
the multifilament yarn for the weft includes a heat fusible multifilament yarn, the heat fusible multifilament yarn melts, and the melted heat fusible multifilament yarn fuses the loop engagement elements to the base cloth
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A conductive hook-and-loop fastener that has a high engagement force, undergoes less decrease in conductivity even after repeated engagement and release, and is significantly flexible is provided. The conductive hook-and-loop fastener includes a base cloth 1 containing a woven fabric, having existing on one surface thereof plural loop engagement elements 3 including a multifilament yarn including as at least a part thereof a conductive filament, and the multifilament yarn constituting the loop engagement elements 3 is inwoven in a warp direction 4 of the woven fabric.