Knitted Fabric Structure Balancing Absorbency, Drying, and Opacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional knitted fabrics face a trade-off between water absorbency and quick-drying properties, as well as between quick-drying and anti-see-through properties, making it difficult to achieve all three simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A knitted fabric using low-torque crimped fibers with tailored density and thickness, specifically a composite yarn with false-twist crimped yarns in both S and Z directions, and entangled with interlacing processing, along with a hydrophilizing agent, to enhance water absorbency, quick-drying, and anti-see-through properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If natural fibers are used or weight per unit is increased to enhance water absorbency, then water absorbency increases, but quick-drying properties decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater absorbencyVSAvoidquick-drying properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the torque of crimped fibers (30 T/m or less), density (60-120 courses/2.54 cm, 45-80 wales/2.54 cm), and thickness (0.45 mm or less) to achieve optimal balance between water absorbency and quick-drying properties without using natural fibers or increasing weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite crimped fibers combining different fiber types (polyester, polyamide, acrylic, or viscose) with specific torque characteristics to create a material that simultaneously provides high water absorbency through capillary action and rapid evaporation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of time

If water-repellent processing is applied to enhance quick-drying properties, then quick-drying properties improve, but water absorbency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequick-drying propertiesVSAvoidwater absorbency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter from surface treatment (water-repellent processing) to fiber structure (low-torque crimped fibers with specific torque ≤30 T/m), enabling rapid drying through enhanced evaporation surface area while maintaining high water absorbency through capillary channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If weight per unit is reduced to enhance quick-drying properties, then quick-drying properties improve, but anti-see-through properties decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequick-drying propertiesVSAvoidanti-see-through properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the thickness parameter to 0.45 mm or less while maintaining adequate density (60-120 courses/2.54 cm, 45-80 wales/2.54 cm), achieving rapid drying through reduced mass while preserving anti-see-through properties through optimized knit structure and fiber arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The use of composite crimped fibers with specific torque characteristics enables the fabric to maintain sufficient opacity through fiber bundling and arrangement rather than relying solely on increased weight or thickness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 results in a fabric with excellent water absorbency, quick-drying capabilities, and anti-see-through properties, as demonstrated by specific measurements and applications in various textile products.

Implementation Method 1

Because of the presence of such a crimped fiber in the knitted fabric, fine voids are created between single fibers, and also the knitted fabric surface becomes flat. As a result, the contact area with water increases, whereby the water absorbency improves.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

along with a hydrophilizing agent, to enhance water absorbency, quick-drying, and anti-see-through properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilicity: Hydrophile

Implementation Method 3

for sportswear and the like, not only water absorbency but also quick-drying properties, that is, the property of drying quickly after sweating, are required

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3406779B1Fabric and fiber product
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 TEIJIN FRONTIER CO LTD
  • EP3406779B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3406779B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention addresses the problem of providing a knitted fabric and a textile product which have excellent water absorbency, quick-drying properties, and anti-see-through properties. As a means for resolution, a knitted fabric is obtained using a crimped fiber having a torque of 30 T/m or less. The density of the knitted fabric is not less than 60 courses/2.54 cm and not less than 45 wales/2.54 cm, and the thickness of the knitted fabric is 0.45 mm or less.