Fire-resistant cabled yarn with elastic core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire-resistant textile materials are heavy, restrict movement, and inadequately manage moisture, leading to potential steam/scald burns due to insufficient breathability and comfort issues.
Innovation Solution
A cabled yarn composition combining meta-aramid, para-aramid, cellulose-based, and wool fibers with an elastic core, woven in a twill pattern to provide lightweight, breathable, and durable fire-resistant textiles that maintain strength and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fire-resistant textile materials are used, then protection against flames and heat is provided, but the materials are heavy and restrict movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining four different fiber types (meta-aramid, para-aramid, cellulose-based, and wool) into a single cabled yarn. Each fiber contributes specific properties: meta-aramid provides heat resistance, para-aramid provides tensile strength, cellulose-based fibers provide breathability, and wool provides moisture management. This multi-material composite approach achieves fire protection while reducing weight compared to conventional single-material textiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functions to different components within the cabled yarn structure. The elastic core provides stretch and flexibility, the aramid layers provide heat resistance and strength, the cellulose fibers provide breathability, and the wool fibers provide moisture wicking. Each component is optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system, resolving the contradiction between protection and weight.
2Reliability
If conventional fire-resistant textile materials are used, then flame protection is achieved, but movement and flexibility are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating an elastic fiber core (such as elastane or spandex) within the cabled yarn structure. This elastic core provides dynamic stretch and recovery properties, allowing the textile to expand and contract with body movement while maintaining its fire-resistant integrity. The dynamic nature of the elastic component resolves the contradiction between rigid flame protection and flexible movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines rigid heat-resistant aramid fibers with flexible elastic fibers and breathable cellulose/wool fibers. This multi-phase composite creates a material that is both protective and flexible, allowing the textile to maintain flame resistance while adapting to body movements and providing comfort through breathability and stretch.
3Temperature
If conventional fire-resistant textile materials are used, then heat resistance is provided, but moisture management is insufficient leading to steam/scald burns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by specifically assigning moisture management functions to wool fibers and breathability functions to cellulose-based fibers within the cabled yarn. The wool fibers provide hygroscopic moisture wicking to move sweat away from the skin, while the cellulose fibers provide breathability to allow vapor escape. This localized functional assignment resolves the contradiction between heat resistance and moisture management by giving different components specific roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite yarn structure integrates multiple fiber types with complementary properties: aramid for heat resistance, cellulose for breathability, and wool for moisture wicking. This multi-functional composite material simultaneously provides thermal protection while actively managing moisture through wicking and breathability, preventing steam buildup and scald burns that occur with conventional single-material textiles.
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 offers a lightweight, breathable, and durable fire-resistant textile that effectively manages moisture, enhances comfort, and provides optimal protection against flames and heat while allowing for flexibility and dexterity.
Implementation Method 1
The wool fibres are treated to be shrink resistant. The wool fibres are hygroscopic such that they can hold up to a third of their own weight in moisture without feeling wet thereby helping to wick away sweat
Implementation Method 2
The hygroscopic properties of the wool fibres also help to regulate temperature and humidity, creating a buffer area (i.e. holds moisture without feeling wet), enhancing comfort
Implementation Method 3
A single woven layer of fire-resistant textile material which utilises the strength characteristics of meta-aramid fibres in a warp yarn and the moisture management properties of wool in a blended wool and cellulose weft yarn for direct contact against a wearer's skin
Implementation Method 4
The assembled garments, which typically include a pair of trousers/salopettes and a jacket, must protect the wearer from radiant and thermal exposure, and unexpected flashover conditions, whilst still maintaining an adequate level of dexterity and comfort
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present application describes a cabled yarn (200) comprising at least two single plied yarns (100) each comprising meta-aramid fibres, para-aramid fibres, cellulose-based fibres, and wool fibres, twisted around a centrally located yarn (110) comprising a substantially elastic fibre. A fire-resistant textile material comprising the yarn, a garment comprising the material, and a method of manufacturing the yarn and material are also described.