Shape Memory Polyurethane Clothing for Adaptive Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothing and accessories often cause discomfort due to inappropriate pressure, leading to issues like indentation marks and potential harm from restricted blood circulation, and traditional shape memory technologies face challenges with protrusion, stiffness, and difficulty in knitting.
Innovation Solution
The development of clothing using shape memory polyurethane fibers with specific thermal transition temperatures and properties, allowing for dynamic aesthetic designs and adjustable pressure through thermal drawing and recovery, synthesized via solution or bulk polymerization and spun into fibers for knitting or weaving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If elastic fibers or threads are used to make socks slip-proof, then the sock does not easily slide down the leg, but the pressure exerted on the leg becomes very uncomfortable and causes indentation marks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses shape memory polyurethane fibers that change their physical state based on temperature parameters. The fibers transition between a contracted state (providing fit) and an expanded state (reducing pressure), allowing the sock to adapt to leg shape without causing discomfort or indentation marks
Solution Approach 2:
The sock material dynamically adjusts its properties in response to body temperature. The shape memory fibers contract when exposed to body heat to provide a snug fit, then expand when temperature decreases to reduce pressure, creating a living, adaptive garment
2Reliability
If tight pressure garments are used to treat vascular problems, then compression effect is achieved, but the garments are difficult to wear and tend to loosen after several uses
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory polyurethane fibers change their contraction state based on temperature parameters. When exposed to body temperature, the fibers contract to provide consistent compression for vascular treatment, while allowing easy putting on and taking off without the garment loosening after repeated use
3Adaptability or versatility
If shape memory metallic alloy wires are used in woven fabric for aesthetic design, then the garments can change shapes with temperature, but the wires protrude out of the fabric and knitting is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces metallic alloy wires with shape memory polyurethane fibers that have comparable shape memory properties but are compatible with traditional textile processing. The polyurethane fibers can be knitted and woven without protruding, eliminating the need for complex fabric structures while maintaining temperature-responsive shape changing capability
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 shape memory clothing provides comfort by adapting to body profiles, reducing pressure, and allowing for easy wear and style changes, while maintaining aesthetic appeal and compatibility with human bodies.
Implementation Method 1
shape memory fibers made from shape memory polyurethane; The shape memory polyurethanes may be a Tm type shape memory polyurethane or a Tg type shape memory polyurethane
Implementation Method 2
The shape memory fibers may have a thermal transition temperature from about 5° C. to 30° C.
Implementation Method 3
The shape memory fibers may be subjected to drawing before knitting or weaving to produce a high-pressure garment, and the drawing is performed with a drawing temperature from about 22° C. to 50° C.
Implementation Method 4
The shape memory fibers may have a shape recovery ratio from about 90% to 100% measured by thermal drawing and thermal recovery
Implementation Method 5
The shape memory polyurethane may be synthesized by solution polymerization or bulk polymerization
Implementation Method 6
The shape memory polyurethane may be synthesized by solution polymerization or bulk polymerization
Data Source
AI summary
A method for making items of clothing having shape memory, the method comprising: synthesizing (31) a shape memory polyurethane; subjecting (34) the shape memory polyurethane to wet spinning, dry spinning, melt spinning or multi-component spinning in order to produce shape memory fibers; and knitting or weaving (36) the shape memory fibers to form the item of clothing.