Textile temperature regulating agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying phase change materials (PCMs) to textiles face issues such as migration, poor durability, staining, and poor moisture management, while encapsulated PCMs offer limited moisture management properties and are less compatible with textile treatments.
Innovation Solution
The use of modified polyetheramines that covalently bond to the textile surface, providing enhanced temperature regulation, improved durability, and superior moisture management by forming covalent bonds with the textile through reactive functional groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If PCMs are directly applied to textile surfaces, then the temperature regulating effect is achieved and the application process is simple and cheap, but the PCMs migrate and flow on the textile surface, have poor wash durability, and are prone to staining and yellowing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining PCMs with reactive polymers that contain multiple functional groups. The polymer forms a matrix that embeds the PCM, preventing migration while maintaining the phase change functionality. This composite structure provides both the temperature regulating effect and the durability needed for wash-resistant textiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactive polymer provides localized bonding sites on the textile surface where PCMs are anchored. Instead of uniformly distributing PCM across the entire surface, the polymer creates localized regions of PCM attachment through covalent bonds, preventing migration in those specific areas while maintaining overall temperature regulation.
2Reliability
If encapsulated PCMs are used, then migration and staining problems are solved, but moisture management properties such as wicking characteristics and evaporation rates deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the encapsulation layer from the PCM system and replaces it with a reactive polymer matrix. By removing the encapsulation barrier, moisture can freely interact with the PCM and textile fibers, restoring wicking and evaporation properties. The polymer matrix provides migration resistance without the need for encapsulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactive polymer acts as an intermediary between the PCM and the textile surface. Instead of using encapsulation as a barrier, the polymer mediates the interaction by providing covalent bonding sites that anchor the PCM while allowing moisture to pass through and maintain management properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If PCMs are directly applied to textile surfaces, then the application is cost-effective, but the treated textiles exhibit poor wash durability and temperature regulating performance deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The reactive polymer is applied to the textile surface beforehand to create bonding sites before the PCM is introduced. This preliminary action ensures that when the PCM is added, it immediately forms covalent bonds with the polymer, preventing migration and ensuring long-term durability from the first application without requiring repeated treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the PCM system by introducing reactive functional groups on the polymer. This chemical modification transforms the physical state of the PCM from a free-flowing material to a chemically bonded component, fundamentally changing its behavior and durability characteristics while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
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 modified PCMs effectively prevent migration and enhance wash durability, while offering superior moisture management and temperature regulation properties compared to traditional and encapsulated PCMs.
Implementation Method 1
Phase change materials (PCMs) are widely used in a range of applications... The ability of PCMs to absorb, store and release heat in response to a change in the temperature of their surrounding environment
Implementation Method 2
Modified polyetheramines are particularly envisaged... when modified PCMs react directly to the textile surface they can impart excellent temperature regulating properties to the textile
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the use of compounds for imparting a temperature regulating effect to a textile and methods of manufacturing a temperature regulating textile. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a temperature regulating textile, wherein the textile forms part of a non-apparel article. Compounds for imparting a temperature regulating effect on a textile are also described.