Flame-Resistant Textile Air Chambers for Breathable Protective Clothing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protective clothing against heat and flames causes significant heat stress and discomfort due to inadequate breathability and high weight, failing to meet the high protection standards required for firefighters and other hazardous occupations.
Innovation Solution
A method for producing a laminate for protective clothing using a textile layer composed of flame-retardant synthetic polymers and cellulose fibers, where at least one fiber component is removed through etching or washing, creating air chambers for insulation and improved moisture transport, resulting in a lightweight, breathable, and comfortable fabric.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-layer clothing structures are used to meet high protection standards against heat and flames, then protection level is improved, but heat stress on the wearer increases due to lack of body heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by creating air chambers within the textile layers through removal of soluble fiber components. These porous structures enable breathability and body heat dissipation while maintaining the protective function against heat and flames, thus reducing heat stress on the wearer without compromising protection level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating zone-dependent moisture transport properties within different layers of the protective clothing. The textile structure is designed with varying porosity and fiber composition in different zones to optimize both protection and breathability locally, allowing heat dissipation where needed while maintaining protective integrity.
2Reliability
If traditional protective clothing is made from heavy fabrics or leather to ensure flame resistance, then protection against heat and flames is improved, but weight increases and wearing comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining flame-retardant synthetic polymer fibers with soluble fiber components (such as cellulose or protein fibers) in a multi-layer textile structure. The soluble fibers are later removed to create air chambers, resulting in a lightweight composite structure that maintains flame resistance through the synthetic polymer framework while significantly reducing overall weight compared to traditional leather or heavy fabric constructions.
3Reliability
If dense textile structures are used to provide flame protection, then protection level is improved, but breathability decreases and heat stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by systematically removing soluble fiber components from the textile structure to create controlled air chambers and porous pathways. This allows the textile to maintain its flame-resistant properties through the remaining synthetic polymer framework while developing sufficient porosity for breathability and heat dissipation, thus resolving the contradiction between protection level and ease of operation.
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 provides excellent protection against heat and flames while reducing weight, enhancing breathability, and minimizing heat stress, offering improved wearing comfort and design flexibility with customizable options.
Implementation Method 1
the textile layer is subjected to a treatment step in which at least one fiber component is at least partially removed from the textile layer
Implementation Method 2
at least one fiber component is removed from the textile layer using etching pressure or by washing out water-soluble fiber components
Data Source
Figure 1a~4
Figure 2a~3b
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a flame-resistant textile material for protective clothing is characterized in that at least one textile layer is subjected to a treatment step wherein at least one fiber component is at least partially detached from the textile layer such that air chambers (5) are formed.