Multispectral Cooling Fabric with Segmented Metal Oxide Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Technical gear absorbs solar radiation, leading to heat transmission to the wearer, and existing cooling materials can impede moisture vapor transfer and air passage, restricting breathability and other performance characteristics when integrated as a continuous layer in base fabrics.
Innovation Solution
A multispectral cooling material with a pattern of metal oxide particles, such as rutile titanium dioxide, coupled to the exterior surface of base fabrics, reflecting solar light, limiting solar energy transmission, and emitting thermal radiation at wavelengths comparable to the human body, thereby maintaining breathability and performance characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a uniform layer of cooling material is incorporated into the base fabric, then solar radiation reflection and thermal emission are improved, but moisture vapor transfer and air passage are impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling material is applied as a discontinuous pattern rather than a uniform continuous layer. This segmentation allows solar radiation reflection and thermal emission from the cooling material while leaving gaps that permit moisture vapor transfer and air passage through the base fabric, thus maintaining breathability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fabric are given different functions: areas with cooling material provide solar reflection and thermal emission, while areas without cooling material maintain breathability and moisture transfer. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between cooling performance and breathability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a uniform layer of cooling material is incorporated into the base fabric, then solar energy transmission is limited, but drape, texture, and stretch characteristics are impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling material is applied in a discontinuous pattern rather than as a continuous layer. This segmentation reduces the overall impact on fabric drape, texture, and stretch while still providing effective solar energy transmission limitation in the treated areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying cooling material uniformly across the entire fabric (excessive action), the patent applies it partially in a discontinuous pattern. This partial application is sufficient to limit solar energy transmission while minimizing interference with fabric drape, texture, and stretch characteristics.
3Temperature
If a uniform layer of cooling material is incorporated into the base fabric, then solar light reflection is improved, but moisture vapor transfer is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling material is applied as a discontinuous pattern with gaps between applied areas. This segmentation allows solar light reflection from the cooling material while permitting moisture vapor to pass through the untreated areas of the base fabric, thus maintaining moisture vapor transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base fabric itself acts as an intermediary that allows moisture vapor transfer through its inherent properties, while the discontinuously applied cooling material provides solar reflection. The combination maintains both functions without either completely blocking the other.
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 multispectral cooling material effectively reflects more solar energy and emits thermal radiation, keeping the wearer cooler than traditional materials like Omni-Heat, while maintaining the desired properties of the base fabric, such as breathability and moisture transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the multispectral cooling elements reflect solar light in the UV, visible and near IR spectrum
Implementation Method 2
emit thermal radiation at wavelengths comparable to that of the human body
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a base fabric for body gear and other goods having designed performance characteristics, and in particular to technical gear, such as garments, that utilize multispectral cooling elements coupled to the exterior facing surface of a base fabric.