Textile with Conductive Layers for Electroosmotic Moisture Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing textiles, especially waterproof ones, poorly transport humidity, leading to overheating and cooling issues due to ineffective evaporation of perspiration, and lack a broad temperature range for comfort, with current electroosmosis technologies relying on external heat for evaporation and having production cost and efficiency limitations.
Innovation Solution
A textile with conductive layers and a porous layer, where a voltage is applied across the porous layer for fluid transport via electroosmosis and along the conductive layers for heating, allowing for both directional liquid transport and heat generation without additional layers or complexity, using electroosmosis of the first and second kinds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional waterproof textiles are used, then water protection is provided, but humidity transport capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The textile is divided into multiple functional layers: a waterproof outer layer and an inner layer with electroosmotic pump structure. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its function - the outer layer provides water protection while the inner layer with conductive pores and ion-exchange groups enables active humidity transport through electroosmotic flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the textile by incorporating conductive pores with ion-exchange groups and applying voltage to generate electroosmotic flow. This transforms the textile from a passive waterproof barrier into an active humidity management system that can transport moisture against concentration gradients.
2Temperature
If multiple textile layers are added for insulation and liquid transport, then temperature control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electroosmotic pump layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transports humidity away from the skin, provides thermal insulation through its layered structure, and can generate heat through Joule heating when voltage is applied. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate insulation layers, reducing overall textile complexity while maintaining temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the humidity transport function and thermal insulation function into a single integrated electroosmotic pump layer. The conductive pores filled with electrolyte solution provide both the electroosmotic flow pathway for humidity transport and the insulating structure for thermal management, combining what were traditionally separate functions.
3Productivity
If electroosmotic pump structure is incorporated, then humidity transport capability improves, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous materials with ion-exchange groups that can be integrated into existing textile manufacturing processes. The conductive pores are formed within the textile structure itself, allowing the electroosmotic pump functionality to be built into the fabric during production rather than added as a separate component, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
4Productivity
If voltage is applied across porous layer for fluid transport, then directional liquid transport improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters by applying voltage across the porous layer to drive electroosmotic flow. The ion-exchange groups in the porous structure create electroosmotic pressure that moves liquid directionally when voltage is applied, enabling active humidity transport from the skin side to the outer layer where evaporation occurs.
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 effectively transports moisture away from the body, provides heat for evaporation, and offers a broader temperature comfort range with minimal cost and complexity, enhancing both liquid transport and heating functions in a single textile.
Implementation Method 1
the conductive layers being connected to an electric signal generator such that, in use, a voltage can be applied across said porous layer to effect directional flow of liquid across said textile
Implementation Method 2
the conductive layers are connected to the electric signal generator such that, in use, a voltage can also be applied along at least one of the conductive layers to effect heating of said textile
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 2a
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A textile (10) comprising first and second conductive layers (12a, 12b); at least one porous layer (14) positioned between first and second conductive layers (12a, 12b), the pores of said porous layer (14) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said conductive layers (12a, 12b); the conductive layers (12a, 12b) being connected to an electric signal generator (15) such that, in use, a voltage can be applied across said porous layer (14) to effect directional flow of liquid across said textile (10), and a voltage can also be applied along at least one of the conductive layers (12a, 12b) to effect heating of said textile (10).