Fabric with moisture management function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing athletic apparel fabrics struggle to effectively manage moisture and body temperature while maintaining comfort and appearance, particularly during physical exertion, as they often fail to distribute sweat efficiently and dissipate heat.
Innovation Solution
A knitted fabric with a hydrophilic gradient is created by combining a semi-hydrophilic first layer with lower moisture regain and a hydrophilic second layer with higher moisture regain, allowing moisture to be pulled through the first layer and pushed out through the second, using yarns like polyester, cotton, and elastane to enhance moisture management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-layer fabric is used, then the fabric structure is simple, but it cannot effectively manage moisture and body temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric is divided into two distinct layers with different hydrophilic properties. The first layer (closer to skin) has lower moisture regain (0.2-6%) to wick moisture away, while the second layer (outer layer) has higher moisture regain (4-16%) to absorb and evaporate moisture. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function in the moisture management process.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fabric have different hydrophilic characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The inner layer is designed to be less hydrophilic for effective moisture wicking, while the outer layer is more hydrophilic for moisture absorption and evaporation. This local differentiation optimizes moisture management at each interface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If moisture is kept away from the skin, then sweat accumulation is reduced, but heat dissipation and cooling effect are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor for cooling. The hydrophilic outer layer absorbs moisture and promotes evaporation, which is an endothermic process that removes heat from the body. This phase change mechanism provides active cooling while managing sweat.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric maintains continuous moisture management through the hydrophilic gradient, ensuring that moisture is constantly wicked away from the skin and evaporated at the outer layer. This continuous action prevents sweat accumulation while maintaining cooling effect throughout the wearing period.
3Quantity of substance
If hydrophilic fibers are used, then moisture absorption is improved, but moisture wicking away from skin is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric applies different hydrophilic qualities to different layers. The inner layer uses less hydrophilic fibers (lower moisture regain) to facilitate moisture wicking, while the outer layer uses more hydrophilic fibers (higher moisture regain) to absorb and evaporate moisture. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between wicking and absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric structure segments the moisture management functions into two layers. The first layer handles moisture transport away from skin using less hydrophilic materials, while the second layer handles moisture absorption and evaporation using more hydrophilic materials. This functional segmentation optimizes both wicking and absorption.
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 provides optimal comfort by preventing sweat accumulation next to the skin while promoting cooling and breathability, ensuring efficient moisture distribution and quick drying.
Implementation Method 1
a first fabric layer having a first moisture regain and being a semi-hydrophilic or hydrophobic layer and a second fabric layer comprising a second yarn forming a face fabric layer facing towards outside, the second fabric layer having a second moisture regain and being more hydrophilic than the first layer... the presence of a hydrophilic gradient between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer of the fabric allows the moisture to be pushed
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~4B
Figure 5~6
AI summary
It is described a knitted / woven fabric with moisture management function comprising a first fabric layer having a first yarn and a second yarn knitted together to form a first layer being semi-hydrophilic or hydrophobic (comprising of lower moisture regain fibers), a second fabric layer comprising a third yarn and a fourth yarn knitted together to form the second fabric layer, the second fabric layer being fully hydrophilic (comprising of higher moisture regain fibers), wherein the first fabric layer has a moisture regain lower than the moisture regain of the second fabric layer providing a hydrophilic gradient between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer of the knitted fabric pushing moisture through the first fabric layer in contact with the wearer's skin and out through the second fabric layer.