Polyethylene Yarn for Skin Cooling Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skin cooling fabrics face challenges in providing a soft tactile sensation and consistent cooling effect while maintaining air permeability, due to limitations in weavability and environmental impact of high thermal conductivity fibers like Dyneema SK60.
Innovation Solution
A polyethylene yarn with specific properties, including tensile strength of 3.5 to 8.5 g/de, tensile modulus of 15 to 80 g/de, elongation at break of 14 to 55%, and crystallinity of 55 to 85%, is developed for skin cooling fabrics, using high density polyethylene with a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 to 99,000 g/mol, allowing for improved weavability and thermal conductivity without environmental concerns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ultra-high strength polyethylene fibers like Dyneema are used to increase thermal conductivity, then heat transfer from skin to fabric is improved, but weavability deteriorates and fabric becomes too stiff
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of polyethylene fibers by controlling crystallinity (40-70%), density (0.941-0.965 g/cm³), and molecular weight (50,000-99,000 g/mol) to achieve optimal balance between thermal conductivity and weavability. This resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal parameter range that provides both cooling performance and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining polyethylene fibers with specific inorganic particles or coatings that enhance thermal conductivity while maintaining flexibility. This composite approach allows the fabric to achieve high thermal conductivity without the excessive stiffness of pure ultra-high strength polyethylene fibers.
2Temperature
If contact area between skin and fabric is increased to improve heat transfer, then cooling effect is enhanced, but air permeability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a fabric structure where the surface layer has high thermal conductivity for heat transfer, while the underlying structure maintains air permeability. This is achieved through layered construction or surface treatment that locally enhances thermal properties without compromising overall breathability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If inorganic compounds are applied to fiber surface to reflect light and block heat, then intense heat is prevented, but tactile sensation is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous materials or hollow fiber structures that provide thermal insulation and heat blocking through air pockets, while maintaining soft tactile sensation. The porous structure scatters and reflects light without requiring dense inorganic coatings that would compromise comfort.
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 skin cooling fabric provides a consistent cooling sensation regardless of external factors, maintains air permeability, and is manufactured at a lower cost without environmental issues, offering a soft tactile sensation.
Implementation Method 1
it may be desirable to increase heat transfer from the skin to the fabric by improving the thermal conductivity of the fabric itself
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a skin cooling fabric that can provide a user with a soft tactile sensation as well as a cooling feeling or a cooling sensation, a polyethylene yarn having improved weavability, and a method for manufacturing the yarn. The skin cooling fabric of the present invention includes a plurality of weft yarns, and a plurality of warp yarns, wherein each of the weft yarns and warp yarns has a tensile strength of 3.5 to 8.5 g/de, a tensile modulus of 15 to 80 g/de, elongation at break of 14 to 55 %, and crystallinity of 55 to 85 %.