Fabric, in particular textile fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Textile fabrics with high abrasion resistance struggle to dissipate static charges and withstand changing electric fields, posing risks to sensitive components and disrupting functions in industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
A fabric with platelet-shaped elements applied to a flexible substrate, providing both abrasion resistance and electrical charge dissipation through a conductive coating or conductive threads, ensuring electrostatic dissipative or conductive properties, and allowing for colored motifs with permanent retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a fabric with platelet-shaped elements is used to increase abrasion resistance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but static charge accumulation occurs leading to discharge currents that can damage sensitive components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies conductive platelet-shaped elements (such as carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic platelets) to the fabric substrate. These platelets serve a dual function: they provide abrasion resistance by forming a protective surface layer, and they dissipate static electrical charges through their conductive properties. By converting the potentially harmful static charge accumulation into beneficial charge dissipation, the platelets protect sensitive components from discharge currents while maintaining the fabric's abrasion resistance.
2Reliability
If the fabric is made conductive to dissipate static charges, then electrostatic dissipative properties are improved, but the aesthetic quality and color retention may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite platelet-shaped elements that combine conductive materials (such as carbon fiber) with aesthetically pleasing materials (such as colored plastics or transparent coatings). This composite structure allows the platelets to provide both electrostatic dissipative properties through the conductive carbon fiber network and aesthetic quality through the colored or transparent outer layer. The conductive functionality and aesthetic appearance are thus integrated into a single multi-functional element that satisfies both requirements simultaneously.
3Reliability
If conductive platelets are applied to the substrate, then electrical conductivity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates conductive platelet-shaped elements directly into the fabric manufacturing process, specifically during the weaving or knitting stage. The platelets are integrated into the fabric structure as it is being formed, rather than being applied as a separate post-processing step. This preliminary integration simplifies the overall manufacturing process by combining multiple functions (abrasion resistance, conductivity, and structural integrity) into a single manufacturing operation, reducing the need for subsequent assembly steps and lowering production complexity.
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 fabric effectively dissipates electrical charges and maintains conductivity, enabling safe use in sensitive environments while retaining abrasion resistance and aesthetic qualities.
Implementation Method 1
the electrical connection of the small plates can take place, for example, via a conductive coating of the substrate... Alternatively, the platelets can be electrically connected via a substrate which is produced using electrically conductive threads
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet-like structure with a flexible substrate onto which a large number of plate-shaped elements made of an abrasion-resistant and stiffer material than the substrate are applied, the plates being interspersed with an electrically conductive material and electrically conductively connected to one another.