CA2093265C - Electrically conducting set of fibers in sheet form - Google Patents
Electrically conducting set of fibers in sheet form Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2093265C CA2093265C CA002093265A CA2093265A CA2093265C CA 2093265 C CA2093265 C CA 2093265C CA 002093265 A CA002093265 A CA 002093265A CA 2093265 A CA2093265 A CA 2093265A CA 2093265 C CA2093265 C CA 2093265C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- conducting
- fabric
- fibers
- threads
- woven
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 34
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 33
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000002759 woven fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920000914 Metallic fiber Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 description 11
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001465 metallisation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005672 electromagnetic field Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000011962 puddings Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000012209 synthetic fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/42—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
- D04H1/4326—Condensation or reaction polymers
- D04H1/435—Polyesters
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/42—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
- D04H1/4382—Stretched reticular film fibres; Composite fibres; Mixed fibres; Ultrafine fibres; Fibres for artificial leather
- D04H1/43825—Composite fibres
- D04H1/43828—Composite fibres sheath-core
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- D03D1/00—Woven fabrics designed to make specified articles
- D03D1/0088—Fabrics having an electronic function
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- D03D15/00—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- D03D15/00—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
- D03D15/20—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads
- D03D15/208—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads cellulose-based
- D03D15/217—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads cellulose-based natural from plants, e.g. cotton
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- D03D15/00—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
- D03D15/20—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads
- D03D15/242—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads inorganic, e.g. basalt
- D03D15/25—Metal
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- D03D15/00—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
- D03D15/20—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads
- D03D15/242—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads inorganic, e.g. basalt
- D03D15/275—Carbon fibres
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- D03D15/00—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
- D03D15/20—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads
- D03D15/283—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads synthetic polymer-based, e.g. polyamide or polyester fibres
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/42—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
- D04H1/4209—Inorganic fibres
- D04H1/4234—Metal fibres
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/42—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
- D04H1/4209—Inorganic fibres
- D04H1/4242—Carbon fibres
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/42—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
- D04H1/4266—Natural fibres not provided for in group D04H1/425
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2101/00—Inorganic fibres
- D10B2101/10—Inorganic fibres based on non-oxides other than metals
- D10B2101/12—Carbon; Pitch
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2101/00—Inorganic fibres
- D10B2101/20—Metallic fibres
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2201/00—Cellulose-based fibres, e.g. vegetable fibres
- D10B2201/01—Natural vegetable fibres
- D10B2201/02—Cotton
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2331/00—Fibres made from polymers obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polycondensation products
- D10B2331/04—Fibres made from polymers obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polycondensation products polyesters, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate [PET]
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2401/00—Physical properties
- D10B2401/16—Physical properties antistatic; conductive
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2503/00—Domestic or personal
- D10B2503/06—Bed linen
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Botany (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Woven Fabrics (AREA)
- Multicomponent Fibers (AREA)
- Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
Abstract
The set of fibers in sheet form has conducting fibers in such an amount, with respect to the non-conducting fibers, that there is electrical continuity. The set of fibers may be incorporated in a fabric by holding the non-conducting fibers together in the weft and the warp of the fabric with the non-conducting fibers.
Description
The present invention relates to a set of fibers in sheet form.
Non-woven fabrics, made for example of polyester, containing metallic fibers, such as copper, nickel or stainless steel fibers in addition to the synthetic fibers, are already known.
The percentage of metallic fibers contained is currently approximately 5-6% and is in any case such that there is no electrical continuity between said fibers.
1o This type of product is termed anti-static, since it eliminates the effects of static electricity caused for example by electric or electromagnetic fields, etc., and is used for example to line rooms in which electric and electronic er~uipment is accommodated.
Paddings are also known, constituted by non-woven fabrics inside which a coil of an electric conductor is passed; said coil constitutes a heating resistor to be powered with an electric current.
However, these paddings have the disadvantage that the 2o potential difference between the terminals of the conductor is very high, and therefore, in order to obtain the effect of heating the resistor, the power supply must have a high voltage (220 volts), with the consequent hazards.
Fabrics containing carbon fibers in addition to conventional fibers are also known.
The percentage of carbon fibers contained is currently approximately 5-6% and is in any case such that there is no electrical continuity between them.
This kind of fabric is termed anti-static, since it eliminates the effects of static electricity and is used for clothing.
so-called electric blankets are also known; in said blankets, a coil of an electric conductor, which constitutes a heating resistor to be powered with current, is passed in a padding bettaeen two fabrics.
However, these paddings have the disadvantage that the potential difference between the terminals of the conductor is very high, and therefore the power supply must be at a l0 high voltage to obtain the effect of heating the resistor.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a set of fibers in sheet form, both of the woven fabric type and of the non-woven fabric type, which can be used as a heating product conveniently powered with low-voltage current.
An object of the present invention is to provide a product for which lack of electrical continuity of some parts in any case does not compromise operation.
Another important object is to provide a product which has relatively low electrical resistance over large areas.
2a Another important object is to provide an electrically conducting product which is safe, reliable and efficient in use.
Another important object is to provide a product which can warm up, when supplied with electric current, in a short time.
Another important object is to provide a product which can be used for paddings or heated linings.
Another object is to provide a product which can be manufactured with machines and equipment currently in use.
. CA 02093265 2004-05-18 According to the above object, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides a fabric comprising a plurality of strips made of a conducting fabric separated by strips made of a non-conducting fabric. The S conducting fabric strips are connected to links for flow of electric current and power supply at a low voltage, so as to form a heating element. The fabric is a woven fabric with the strips of woven conducting fabric and the strips of woven non-conducting fabric being located substantially coplanar in a side by side arrangement.
The conducting woven fabric is formed with continuous conducting threads having a unidirectional orientation and being interlard with spaces, and held together both on weft and on warp by non-conducting threads. The non-conducting woven fabric is formed with non-conducting threads, both on weft and on warp.
This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a set of fibers in sheet form, characterized in that it comprises conducting fibers in such an amount, with respect to the non-conducting fibers, that there is electrical continuity.
Advantageously, the set can be a non-woven fabric in which the conducting fibers are present in such an amount, with respect to the non-conducting fibers, that there is uniform electrical continuity.
Conveniently, the set can be a fabric comprising regions in which a conducting thread is present in such an amount, with respect to the non-conducting thread, that there is electrical continuity.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a non-woven fabric and of a woven fabric according to the invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawing, wherein:
figure 1 is a diagram of an electric blanket 2o manufactured with a fabric according to the present invention.
A non-woven fabric according to the invention is composed, in a first embodiment, substantially of 50%
polyester fibers and 50% metallic conducting fibers, for example copper fibers and/or nickel fibers and/or stainless steel fibers.
The amount is such as to produce electrical continuity between the metallic fibers.
'~~~~~6~
Alternatively, the non-woven fabric can be made entirely of polyester fibers, at least 50% of which is metalized, i.e. coated with a conducting metallic layer.
The metalization operation is per se known and is 5 currently usually used for anti-static non-woven fabrics.
~y providing electrical continuity among the various parts of the structure, said structure can be powered with electric current and warm up.
Power can be supplied at low voltage, since the potential difference between the most distant points in which contact may be performed is in any case low.
The non-woven fabric itself thus becomes a low-voltage electrical resistor and can be used as heated padding for example for blankets, car seats, wall linings, etc.
Warm-up is practically immediate after power is supplied, differently from electric blankets provided with an internal resistor, and any localized interruption of electrical continuity does not compromise operation at all.
It should be stressed that all machines currently used to manufacture current non-woven fabrics can be used to manufacture this electrically conducting non-woven fabric.
With reference now to the above described figure 1, an electric blanket manufactured with a fabric according to the present invention, for example sized for a single bed, comprises regions 10 made of a non-conducting thread, made for example of polyester, cotton etc., interlaid with regions 11 made of thread with conducting fibers, for example copper fibers and/or nickel fibers and/or stainless steel fibers and/or carbon fibers.
3o In these regions 11, the amount of conducting fibers is at least 50% by volume of the total and is in any case such as to provide electrical continuity between said fibers.
The conducting regions 11 can also be manufactured from polyester fibers, at least 50% whereof is metalized, i.e. coated with a conducting metallic layer.
The metallization operation is per se known and currently in normal use.
In the case of a blanket sized for a single bed, in order to have a relatively low electrical resistance in a io wide space it is possible to provide three strips made of fabric formed with conducting thread which occupy a width of 20 cm composed of metallic thread with a diameter of 2 mm interlaid with spaces of 0.5 cm which are held together, both on the weft and on the warp, by non-conducting thread.
i5 Regions 10 with a width of 5 cm are provided between regions 11; the width is internally composed of non-conducting thread both on the weft and on the warp.
The regions with conducting threads are connected in parallel to links 12 made of copper conductor for the 2o flow of electric current and for the power supply contacts.
A blanket of this type is supplied with 27 volts and absorbs approximately 160 watts of power with an absorbed current of approximately 6 amperes.
In practice, the regions with thread made of 25 conducting fibers become low-voltage electrical resistors in themselves which warm up substantially immediately when they are connected to an electric power supply.
It should be noted that the links may also be provided with a series-type connection.
3o The constructive technology allows, by working on:
-- combinations of fabrics in series and/or in parallel;
-- geometries differing in terms of conducting strips and non-conducting intervals;
-- arrangements of the links;
to meet the mast disparate requirements in the widest-ranging fields of application; for example, it is possible to use fabrics for heating roofs connected to car batteries, accident-aid electric blankets for cars, ambulances, etc., puddings for wind-cheaters, ski boots, etc.
It should be stressed that conventional looms used to produce current fabrics can be used to manufacture this electrically conducting fabric.
In practice it has been observed that the intended aim and objects of the present invention have been achieved.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.
All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
2o In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the contingent use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements.
Non-woven fabrics, made for example of polyester, containing metallic fibers, such as copper, nickel or stainless steel fibers in addition to the synthetic fibers, are already known.
The percentage of metallic fibers contained is currently approximately 5-6% and is in any case such that there is no electrical continuity between said fibers.
1o This type of product is termed anti-static, since it eliminates the effects of static electricity caused for example by electric or electromagnetic fields, etc., and is used for example to line rooms in which electric and electronic er~uipment is accommodated.
Paddings are also known, constituted by non-woven fabrics inside which a coil of an electric conductor is passed; said coil constitutes a heating resistor to be powered with an electric current.
However, these paddings have the disadvantage that the 2o potential difference between the terminals of the conductor is very high, and therefore, in order to obtain the effect of heating the resistor, the power supply must have a high voltage (220 volts), with the consequent hazards.
Fabrics containing carbon fibers in addition to conventional fibers are also known.
The percentage of carbon fibers contained is currently approximately 5-6% and is in any case such that there is no electrical continuity between them.
This kind of fabric is termed anti-static, since it eliminates the effects of static electricity and is used for clothing.
so-called electric blankets are also known; in said blankets, a coil of an electric conductor, which constitutes a heating resistor to be powered with current, is passed in a padding bettaeen two fabrics.
However, these paddings have the disadvantage that the potential difference between the terminals of the conductor is very high, and therefore the power supply must be at a l0 high voltage to obtain the effect of heating the resistor.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a set of fibers in sheet form, both of the woven fabric type and of the non-woven fabric type, which can be used as a heating product conveniently powered with low-voltage current.
An object of the present invention is to provide a product for which lack of electrical continuity of some parts in any case does not compromise operation.
Another important object is to provide a product which has relatively low electrical resistance over large areas.
2a Another important object is to provide an electrically conducting product which is safe, reliable and efficient in use.
Another important object is to provide a product which can warm up, when supplied with electric current, in a short time.
Another important object is to provide a product which can be used for paddings or heated linings.
Another object is to provide a product which can be manufactured with machines and equipment currently in use.
. CA 02093265 2004-05-18 According to the above object, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides a fabric comprising a plurality of strips made of a conducting fabric separated by strips made of a non-conducting fabric. The S conducting fabric strips are connected to links for flow of electric current and power supply at a low voltage, so as to form a heating element. The fabric is a woven fabric with the strips of woven conducting fabric and the strips of woven non-conducting fabric being located substantially coplanar in a side by side arrangement.
The conducting woven fabric is formed with continuous conducting threads having a unidirectional orientation and being interlard with spaces, and held together both on weft and on warp by non-conducting threads. The non-conducting woven fabric is formed with non-conducting threads, both on weft and on warp.
This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a set of fibers in sheet form, characterized in that it comprises conducting fibers in such an amount, with respect to the non-conducting fibers, that there is electrical continuity.
Advantageously, the set can be a non-woven fabric in which the conducting fibers are present in such an amount, with respect to the non-conducting fibers, that there is uniform electrical continuity.
Conveniently, the set can be a fabric comprising regions in which a conducting thread is present in such an amount, with respect to the non-conducting thread, that there is electrical continuity.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a non-woven fabric and of a woven fabric according to the invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawing, wherein:
figure 1 is a diagram of an electric blanket 2o manufactured with a fabric according to the present invention.
A non-woven fabric according to the invention is composed, in a first embodiment, substantially of 50%
polyester fibers and 50% metallic conducting fibers, for example copper fibers and/or nickel fibers and/or stainless steel fibers.
The amount is such as to produce electrical continuity between the metallic fibers.
'~~~~~6~
Alternatively, the non-woven fabric can be made entirely of polyester fibers, at least 50% of which is metalized, i.e. coated with a conducting metallic layer.
The metalization operation is per se known and is 5 currently usually used for anti-static non-woven fabrics.
~y providing electrical continuity among the various parts of the structure, said structure can be powered with electric current and warm up.
Power can be supplied at low voltage, since the potential difference between the most distant points in which contact may be performed is in any case low.
The non-woven fabric itself thus becomes a low-voltage electrical resistor and can be used as heated padding for example for blankets, car seats, wall linings, etc.
Warm-up is practically immediate after power is supplied, differently from electric blankets provided with an internal resistor, and any localized interruption of electrical continuity does not compromise operation at all.
It should be stressed that all machines currently used to manufacture current non-woven fabrics can be used to manufacture this electrically conducting non-woven fabric.
With reference now to the above described figure 1, an electric blanket manufactured with a fabric according to the present invention, for example sized for a single bed, comprises regions 10 made of a non-conducting thread, made for example of polyester, cotton etc., interlaid with regions 11 made of thread with conducting fibers, for example copper fibers and/or nickel fibers and/or stainless steel fibers and/or carbon fibers.
3o In these regions 11, the amount of conducting fibers is at least 50% by volume of the total and is in any case such as to provide electrical continuity between said fibers.
The conducting regions 11 can also be manufactured from polyester fibers, at least 50% whereof is metalized, i.e. coated with a conducting metallic layer.
The metallization operation is per se known and currently in normal use.
In the case of a blanket sized for a single bed, in order to have a relatively low electrical resistance in a io wide space it is possible to provide three strips made of fabric formed with conducting thread which occupy a width of 20 cm composed of metallic thread with a diameter of 2 mm interlaid with spaces of 0.5 cm which are held together, both on the weft and on the warp, by non-conducting thread.
i5 Regions 10 with a width of 5 cm are provided between regions 11; the width is internally composed of non-conducting thread both on the weft and on the warp.
The regions with conducting threads are connected in parallel to links 12 made of copper conductor for the 2o flow of electric current and for the power supply contacts.
A blanket of this type is supplied with 27 volts and absorbs approximately 160 watts of power with an absorbed current of approximately 6 amperes.
In practice, the regions with thread made of 25 conducting fibers become low-voltage electrical resistors in themselves which warm up substantially immediately when they are connected to an electric power supply.
It should be noted that the links may also be provided with a series-type connection.
3o The constructive technology allows, by working on:
-- combinations of fabrics in series and/or in parallel;
-- geometries differing in terms of conducting strips and non-conducting intervals;
-- arrangements of the links;
to meet the mast disparate requirements in the widest-ranging fields of application; for example, it is possible to use fabrics for heating roofs connected to car batteries, accident-aid electric blankets for cars, ambulances, etc., puddings for wind-cheaters, ski boots, etc.
It should be stressed that conventional looms used to produce current fabrics can be used to manufacture this electrically conducting fabric.
In practice it has been observed that the intended aim and objects of the present invention have been achieved.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.
All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
2o In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the contingent use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements.
Claims (7)
1. A fabric comprising a plurality of strips made of a conducting fabric separated by strips made of a non-conducting fabric, said conducting fabric strips being connected to links for flow of electric current and power supply at a low voltage, so as to form a heating element, said fabric is a woven fabric with said strips of woven conducting fabric and said strips of woven non-conducting fabric being located substantially coplanar in a side by side arrangement, said conducting woven fabric being formed with continuous conducting threads having a unidirectional orientation and being interlaid with spaces and held together both on weft and on warp by non-conducting threads, said non-conducting woven fabric being formed with non-conducting threads both on weft and on warp.
2. A fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that said conducting threads are present in said conducting woven fabric in an amount equal to at least 50% of the total.
3. A fabric according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said non-conducting threads are made of polyester or cotton.
4. A fabric according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said conducting threads are metallic threads, selected from the group consisting of copper fibers, nickel fibers and stainless steel fibers, or carbon fibers.
5. A fabric according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that at least 50% of the threads constituting said strip of conducting woven fabric are conducting threads made of a polyester threads externally coated with a conducting metallic layer.
6. A heating article, in particular a blanket, made of a fabric according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
7. Use of fabric according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 for manufacturing a heating article.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITPD92A000055 | 1992-04-03 | ||
| ITPD920055A IT1259078B (en) | 1992-04-03 | 1992-04-03 | Electrically conductive non-woven textile |
| ITPD93A000052 | 1993-03-05 | ||
| ITPD930052A IT1263333B (en) | 1993-03-05 | 1993-03-05 | Electrically conductive fabric |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2093265A1 CA2093265A1 (en) | 1993-10-04 |
| CA2093265C true CA2093265C (en) | 2004-12-21 |
Family
ID=26331783
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002093265A Expired - Lifetime CA2093265C (en) | 1992-04-03 | 1993-04-02 | Electrically conducting set of fibers in sheet form |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0563919B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE167243T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2093265C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69319015T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK0563919T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2118848T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8866052B2 (en) * | 2008-05-29 | 2014-10-21 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Heating articles using conductive webs |
| CN102990993A (en) * | 2012-11-28 | 2013-03-27 | 常熟市东鑫经纬编织造有限公司 | Waterproof anti-static fabric |
| CN108930087B (en) * | 2018-08-08 | 2022-04-08 | 嘉兴市优泰纺织新材料有限公司 | High-strength anti-static fabric with double surfaces and production process |
| JP7562601B2 (en) * | 2022-06-17 | 2024-10-07 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Conductive nonwoven fabric and its manufacturing method |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4590122A (en) * | 1980-12-18 | 1986-05-20 | Fiberite Corporation | High conductivity graphite material with electrically conductive filaments wrapped around warp and fill elements |
| US4534886A (en) * | 1981-01-15 | 1985-08-13 | International Paper Company | Non-woven heating element |
| US4606968A (en) * | 1983-07-25 | 1986-08-19 | Stern And Stern Textiles, Inc. | Electrostatic dissipating fabric |
| EP0323642A3 (en) * | 1988-01-05 | 1990-11-07 | Chisso Corporation | An electroconductive thermoplastic resin molded product |
| US4891264A (en) * | 1988-01-05 | 1990-01-02 | Chisso Corporation | Electroconductive thermoplastic resin sheet |
| US4943477A (en) * | 1988-09-27 | 1990-07-24 | Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. | Conductive sheet having electromagnetic interference shielding function |
-
1993
- 1993-03-31 EP EP93105338A patent/EP0563919B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-03-31 DK DK93105338T patent/DK0563919T3/en active
- 1993-03-31 AT AT93105338T patent/ATE167243T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-03-31 DE DE69319015T patent/DE69319015T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-03-31 ES ES93105338T patent/ES2118848T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-04-02 CA CA002093265A patent/CA2093265C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2093265A1 (en) | 1993-10-04 |
| EP0563919A1 (en) | 1993-10-06 |
| EP0563919B1 (en) | 1998-06-10 |
| ES2118848T3 (en) | 1998-10-01 |
| DE69319015D1 (en) | 1998-07-16 |
| DK0563919T3 (en) | 1999-03-22 |
| ATE167243T1 (en) | 1998-06-15 |
| DE69319015T2 (en) | 1998-12-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20130402 |
|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) |
Effective date: 20131009 |
|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) |
Effective date: 20131009 |