Embedded Reflective Textile to Reduce Wear and Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reflective textiles with surface-deposited materials are prone to wear and degradation, and it is challenging to create textiles with multiple zones of varied reflectivity, with the deposited materials often remaining visible in a non-reflective state.
Innovation Solution
Embedding reflective materials within the textile layer, using techniques like needle punching or water jetting, to create a fiber matrix with varying densities of reflective material, allowing for customized reflectivity and improved wear resistance while minimizing visibility in non-reflective states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reflective material is chemically bonded or mechanically fixed to the surface, then the reflective material can be applied to the textile surface, but the reflective material is susceptible to wear and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective material is embedded within the textile layer, nesting the reflective material inside the fiber matrix structure. This embedding approach protects the reflective material from external wear and degradation while maintaining its reflective function, resolving the contradiction between wear resistance and bond strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective material is positioned at a specific depth within the textile layer rather than being surface-deposited. This dimensional change from surface level to embedded depth provides both wear resistance and controlled visibility, allowing the material to survive mechanical processes while maintaining aesthetic versatility.
2Ease of manufacture
If reflective material is deposited on the surface, then the reflective material can be applied easily, but the deposited materials remain visible in a non-reflective state
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective material is distributed at varying densities within different zones of the textile layer. This local variation in density allows different portions of the textile to exhibit different reflectivity characteristics, providing aesthetic versatility while maintaining ease of manufacture through a standardized embedding process.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the reflective material at a specific depth within the textile layer rather than on the surface, the material becomes less visible in non-reflective states while still providing reflective functionality when activated. This dimensional positioning resolves the contradiction between application ease and aesthetic versatility.
3Reliability
If reflective material is embedded within the textile layer, then wear resistance is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective material is embedded within the textile layer during the textile manufacturing process itself, rather than as a subsequent separate operation. This preliminary action integrates the reflective material incorporation into the existing manufacturing workflow, minimizing additional complexity while achieving improved wear resistance.
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 embedded reflective materials enhance wear resistance and provide customizable reflectivity, reducing visibility in non-reflective states, making them more durable and aesthetically versatile compared to surface-deposited materials.
Implementation Method 1
At least a portion of the textile includes a reflective material embedded between the first surface and the second surface and among the fiber matrix... the first zone has a first coefficient of retroreflectivity
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects herein are directed to a reflective textile, and articles of apparel, uppers for an article of footwear constructed therefrom, comprising a reflective material dispersed between a first and second surface of the textile in a first zone. The first zone reflects a greater amount of light than a second zone of the textile. Other aspects herein are directed to a method of manufacturing a reflective textile or article having a portion comprising a reflective textile.