Stretchable Electrically Conductive Fabrics And Methods For Improving Stretchability Of Electrical Conductive Fabrics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrically conductive fabrics used for EMI shielding are challenging to make both conductive and stretchable without requiring costly and complex processes, leading to high tensile forces and reduced elongation performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating patterns of openings, such as cross-shaped, X-shaped, or diamond-shaped cuts, into metal-plated fabrics like nickel/copper plated polyester taffeta, allowing for lower tensile forces and improved elongation/tension performance while maintaining conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal plating is applied to fabric to achieve electrical conductivity for EMI shielding, then electrical conductivity is improved, but the fabric becomes less stretchable and requires higher tensile forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidstretchability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fabric is divided into multiple discrete conductive elements (conductive threads, plated yarns, or segmented metal coatings) rather than a continuous solid metal layer. This segmentation allows the fabric structure to flex and stretch while maintaining electrical connectivity through the discrete elements, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and stretchability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs thin metal platings and flexible conductive coatings on fabric substrates that can bend and stretch. The thin film nature of the conductive layer allows it to conform to fabric deformation without breaking electrical continuity, enabling both conductivity and elasticity to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If continuous metal plating is used to ensure electrical conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but the fabric requires higher tensile forces and has reduced elongation performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidtensile force resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous metal plating is replaced with segmented or discontinuous conductive elements distributed across the fabric. This segmentation reduces the overall metal content and tensile strength requirements while maintaining electrical conductivity through the distributed conductive paths, thereby reducing tensile force requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite fabric structures combining conductive metal elements with flexible non-conductive fabric substrates. This composite approach allows the fabric to leverage the electrical properties of metal while maintaining the mechanical flexibility and lower tensile strength requirements of the textile substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If adequate metal plating is applied to achieve EMI shielding, then EMI mitigation is improved, but the fabric becomes heavier and less flexible

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEMI mitigationVSAvoidfabric weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses thin metal platings and flexible conductive coatings on fabric substrates that can bend and stretch. The thin film nature of the conductive layer allows it to conform to fabric deformation without breaking electrical continuity, enabling both conductivity and elasticity to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

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 patterned openings enable the fabrics to be stretched at lower forces with better elongation/tension performance and maintain electrical conductivity, offering flexible, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant EMI mitigation.

Implementation Method 1

a fabric substrate and a metal plating on the fabric substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250320647A1Stretchable Electrically Conductive Fabrics And Methods For Improving Stretchability Of Electrical Conductive Fabrics

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 LAIRD TECH (SHANGHAI) CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to stretchable electrically conductive fabrics and methods for improving stretchability of electrically conductive fabrics. In exemplary embodiments, a method includes providing an electrically conductive fabric with a pattern of openings extending at least partially or entirely through a thickness of the electrically conductive fabric. The openings are devoid of the electrically conductive fabric and operable for improving stretchability of the electrically conductive fabric. In exemplary embodiments, a stretchable electrically conductive fabric comprises a pattern of openings extending at least partially or entirely through a thickness of the stretchable electrically conductive fabric. The openings are devoid of the stretchable electrically conductive fabric and operable for improving stretchability of the stretchable electrically conductive fabric.