Moisture-Responsive Bicomponent Textiles for Adaptive Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garments and footwear do not effectively adapt to changes in user perspiration levels, leading to discomfort and inefficiency in heat retention or dissipation.
Innovation Solution
Development of textiles incorporating bi-component fibers that expand or contract in response to moisture stimuli, such as perspiration, allowing the textile to change shape and adjust loft for improved insulation or cooling based on user conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If garments are designed for heat retention, then insulation performance is improved, but adaptability to changing perspiration levels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a textile where fibers can dynamically change their loft and density in response to moisture stimuli. The bi-component fibers transition between expanded (high loft) and contracted (low loft) states, allowing the garment to automatically adjust its insulation properties based on the user's perspiration level without requiring manual intervention or layer changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the physical state of the bi-component fibers through moisture absorption. When the hydrophilic component absorbs moisture from perspiration, it triggers a phase transition in the fiber structure, causing the fiber to contract and reduce loft. This parameter change (moisture content) directly controls the insulation property of the garment.
2Temperature
If garments are designed for heat removal, then cooling performance is improved, but adaptability to changing perspiration levels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The textile dynamically adjusts between heat retention and heat removal modes based on moisture levels. In dry conditions, fibers maintain high loft for insulation. When perspiration increases, fibers contract to create a flatter structure that facilitates heat dissipation and wicking, allowing the garment to automatically switch between thermal management modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment's thermal management capability is controlled by parameter changes in the fiber structure. As moisture content increases through perspiration, the fiber morphology changes from a lofty, insulating structure to a compact, heat-dissipating structure, enabling automatic adaptation to varying thermal demands.
3Adaptability or versatility
If textile structure is made complex to enable dynamic adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating bi-component fibers with distinct functional regions within each fiber. The hydrophilic component and hydrophobic component are spatially separated within the same fiber structure, with each component performing a specific function (moisture absorption and structural response). This localized functional differentiation enables dynamic adjustment without requiring complex overall textile architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite materials by combining two different polymeric components within a single fiber structure. The bi-component fiber integrates a hydrophilic polymer and a hydrophobic polymer, creating a composite material that exhibits moisture-responsive behavior. This composite approach enables dynamic adjustment functionality while maintaining a relatively simple textile structure.
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 textiles dynamically adjust to user perspiration levels, enhancing comfort and performance by providing appropriate insulation or cooling without the need for layer changes, thus improving athletic performance and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The shape change can be triggered by a moisture stimulus, such as a user's perspiration
Implementation Method 2
the first filament formed of a first thermoplastic polymeric material and the second filament formed of a second thermoplastic polymeric material
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects disclosed relate to structure such as a textile, a garment, a garment component, footwear, or a footwear component. The present disclosure includes the structure having a first region having one of more first fibers. An individual first fiber includes co-extruded first and second filaments, the first filament formed of a first thermoplastic polymeric material. Due to expansion or contraction of the one or more first fibers, the first region contracts or expands on a change in relative humidity, relative to an equilibrium state of the first region prior to the change in relative humidity.