Protective clothing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective clothing lacks a balance between high dust-proof properties, air permeability, moisture permeability, and suitability for thread sewing, particularly when handling powder dust containing radioactive materials, leading to discomfort and reduced efficiency during summer work.

Innovation Solution

A dust-proof clothing material comprising a fiber layer and an electret nonwoven fabric layer, with an adhesion area ratio between 5% and 10%, using a hot-melt adhesive, and containing hindered amine or triazine additives, which provides excellent dust-proofing, air permeability, and moisture management while being suitable for sewing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical protective clothing is made from polyethylene or polypropylene to prevent powder dust entry, then dust-proof property is improved, but air permeability and moisture permeability are reduced causing discomfort and heat stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust-proof propertyVSAvoidwearer comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective clothing is divided into multiple functional layers: an outer layer for dust-proof protection and an inner layer for moisture management and comfort. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between dust-proof property and wearer comfort by preventing dust entry while maintaining breathability and moisture wicking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material structures combining different fabrics with distinct properties - typically a nonwoven fabric or coated fabric for dust barrier functionality paired with a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric for comfort. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of high dust-proof performance and adequate air/moisture permeability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If electret nonwoven fabric is used to achieve high collection efficiency for powder dust, then dust-proof property is improved, but strength and abrasion resistance are insufficient for practical protective clothing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollection efficiencyVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges electret nonwoven fabric layers with strong supporting fabric layers to create a composite structure. The electret layer provides high collection efficiency for powder dust particles, while the supporting fabric layer contributes tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and structural integrity, allowing the clothing to withstand practical use conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By creating a composite material system where electret nonwoven fabric is combined with durable base fabrics through lamination or coating techniques, the invention achieves both high dust collection efficiency and sufficient mechanical strength for protective clothing applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If adhesive tape is used to fix space between protectors and chemical protective clothing to prevent outside air flow, then dust-proof property is improved, but humidity and temperature increase causing heat stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust-proof propertyVSAvoidinternal temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The protective clothing system is segmented into multiple functional layers that work together: an outer dust barrier layer, intermediate filtration layers, and an inner moisture management layer. This layered segmentation eliminates the need for adhesive sealing while maintaining dust-proof performance and allowing breathability through the layered structure, thereby controlling internal temperature and humidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs porous fabric structures with controlled porosity that allow air and moisture vapor transmission while blocking powder dust particles. The porous structure enables passive breathability without requiring adhesive sealing, thus preventing heat and moisture accumulation inside the clothing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous 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 protective clothing that is effective in preventing dust entry, maintains wearer comfort by allowing air and moisture permeability, and is suitable for thread sewing, enhancing both performance and usability.

Implementation Method 1

an electret nonwoven fabric layer... high collection efficiency for powder dust

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

The dust-proof material has a fiber layer and an electret nonwoven fabric layer... high dust proof property which prevents powder dust from entering into clothing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

using a hot-melt adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal melting: Melting

Implementation Method 4

the fiber layer and the electret nonwoven fabric layer, which are adjacent to each other, are adhered at an adhesion area ratio of 5% or more and 10% or less

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3239394B1Protective clothing
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 TORAY INDUSTRIES INC
  • EP3239394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3239394B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3239394B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The present invention provides a protective clothing having high dust proof property which prevents powder dust from entering into the clothing and having high air permeability for comfortable work, in which the temperature does not rise easily even in summer. A dust-proof clothing using the following dust-proof material, wherein i) the dust-proof material has a fiber layer and an electret nonwoven fabric layer, and a total number of the fiber layer and the electret nonwoven fabric layer is 2 or more; and ii) in the dust-proof material, the fiber layer and the electret nonwoven fabric layer, which are adjacent to each other, are adhered on a region having an area ratio of 5% or more and 10% or less.