Textile Membrane Satin Weave Design for Architectural Applications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing textile membranes for architectural applications face limitations in weather resistance and mechanical properties due to differences in stretching behavior between the warp and weft directions, and the inherent limitations of thread density in plain or basket weave structures.

Innovation Solution

A textile membrane with a satin weave or modified float design, featuring warp and weft threads with a thread count of at least 550 dtex, where the weft threads float over at least four warp threads, optimizing thread density and coating thickness while reducing directional stretching differences, and utilizing a PVC coating with a lacquer layer for enhanced weather resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If plain or Panama weave is used with low thread density for simpler production, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but mechanical strength and weather resistance are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweaving simplicityVSAvoidmembrane strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the weave structure parameter from plain/Panama weave to satin weave with float sections of at least four warp threads. This parameter change allows higher thread density to be achieved while maintaining weaving feasibility, thereby improving mechanical strength and weather resistance without requiring overly complex manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the satin weave fabric structure with polymer coating (PVC) and lacquer layers to create a composite membrane structure. This composite approach allows the fabric base to provide structural strength while the coating layers provide weather resistance, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and performance requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If plain or Panama weave is used, then production is faster and simpler, but thread density is limited which restricts mechanical properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweaving speedVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the weave structure parameter to satin weave with float sections, which enables higher thread density to be packed into the fabric. This parameter change increases the number of load-bearing threads per unit area, thereby improving mechanical properties while the satin weave structure itself maintains relatively efficient production characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If coating layer is applied to plain or Panama weave, then weather resistance is improved, but thin spots occur in the coating layer due to fabric structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweather resistanceVSAvoidcoating uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fabric surface topology parameter by using satin weave with float sections instead of plain or Panama weave. This creates a flatter, more uniform surface that allows polymer coating and lacquer layers to be applied evenly without forming thin spots, thereby improving both coating uniformity and weather resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The satin weave structure with float sections creates a more homogeneous surface topology compared to the intersecting pattern of plain or Panama weave. This homogeneity ensures uniform coating thickness and consistent protective properties across the entire membrane surface, eliminating the thin spot problem

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

4Strength

If warp and weft threads have different elongation behavior in plain or Panama weave, then coating coverage is achieved, but directional inhomogeneity of material properties occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating coverageVSAvoidmaterial property uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the weave structure parameter to satin weave with float sections of at least four warp threads. This parameter change reduces the number of intersections between warp and weft threads, thereby reducing the differences in elongation behavior between directions and achieving more isotropic material properties while still maintaining adequate coating coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3899118B1Membrane for a textile architecture
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 SATTLER PRO TEX GMBH
  • EP3899118B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3899118B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3899118B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a membrane (1) for a textile architecture, comprising a fabric layer (2) having warp threads (21) and weft threads (22) with a thread titer of the warp threads (21) and weft threads (22) of at least 550 dtex respectively, and at least one coating layer which is applied onto the fabric layer. According to the invention, it is provided that the fabric layer (2) is designed with a float of the weft threads (22) above at least four warp threads (21).