JP7520950B2 - Yarns and Textiles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to yarns and textiles.

In many industries, including interior design, fashion, and automobiles, there is a demand for incorporating electronic circuits into textiles (or items that can be made from textiles). One technology that meets this demand is smart textiles, a technology that uses textiles (see Patent Document 1 below).

Structural colors are colors that appear due to a coloring phenomenon resulting from spectroscopy, caused by fine structures at or below the wavelength of light. A technique for artificially creating structural colors by periodically laminating liquid crystal materials or materials with different refractive indices is known (Patent Document 2 below). It is also known that the gloss of structural colors and their characteristics that change appearance depending on the viewing angle can be used in decorative techniques.

JP 2022-143546 A Special Publication No. 2020-535987

However, conventional technology has not been able to dynamically control structural color.

This application was made in consideration of the above, and aims to enable the expansion of design expression by enabling dynamic control of structural colors.

The yarn according to the present application is characterized by including a color layer with variable optical properties and a structural color layer that realizes structural colors by reflecting different wavelengths of incident light.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to achieve the effect of enabling the expansion of design expression.

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of a method for producing a textile according to an embodiment (part 1: preparation). FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a method for producing a textile according to an embodiment (part 2: lamination). FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an example of a method for producing a textile according to an embodiment (part 3: slit). FIG. 1D is a diagram showing an example of a method for producing a textile according to an embodiment (part 4: weaving). FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a foil yarn according to an embodiment (part 1: when a structural color layer is disposed under the surface). FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a foil yarn according to an embodiment (part 2: when a structural color layer is disposed on the surface). FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the thickness of the base material, the thickness of the color layer, and the width of the foil thread according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a method for manufacturing a textile according to an embodiment (part 1: preparation). FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of a method for producing a textile according to an embodiment (part 2: slit). FIG. 5C is a diagram showing an example of a method for manufacturing a textile according to an embodiment (part 3: weaving). FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of a method for manufacturing a textile according to an embodiment (part 1: preparation). FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of a method for producing a textile according to an embodiment (part 2: slit). FIG. 6C is a diagram showing an example of a method for manufacturing a textile according to an embodiment (part 3: weaving). FIG. 6D is a diagram showing an example of a method for manufacturing a textile according to an embodiment (part 4: weaving). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment.

Below, the form for implementing the yarn and textile according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the yarn and textile according to the present application are not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the same parts in each of the following embodiments will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

(Embodiment)
[1. An example of information processing]
Structural colors are used in the design of watch faces and architecture, for example, because they can be produced using ink or material deposition on flat materials such as aluminum and plastic. However, their application is limited to materials such as textiles, which are soft (supple) and have irregularities, because they require threads made using special spinning processes. In addition, structural colors are characterized by the fact that their design changes depending on the viewing angle and background, but they often depend on the surrounding environmental light and the observation position.

This application was made in consideration of the above, and aims to enable the expansion of design expression by enabling dynamic control of structural color in soft, uneven textiles such as clothing and curtains.

In the following embodiment, the textile 100 is a textile formed by weaving warp threads and weft threads. For example, the textile 100 is a textile with a 3-ply structure formed of warp threads, weft threads, and weaving threads. The textile 100 is a textile formed of any of the three types described below. Specifically, the textile 100 may be (1) a textile characterized in that at least one of the warp threads and the weft threads includes a coloring layer with variable optical properties and a structural color layer that realizes structural color by a structure that reflects light of different wavelengths from the incident light, (2) a textile formed by weaving a thread including a coloring layer (corresponding to a coloring thread) and a thread including a structural color layer (corresponding to a structural color thread), or (3) a textile formed by overlapping a textile including a coloring thread (corresponding to a coloring textile) and a textile including a structural color thread (corresponding to a structural color textile). Each of the above will be described in detail below.

(When a single thread contains a color layer and a structural color layer)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a method for manufacturing a textile according to an embodiment. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing preparation (sheet preparation) for textile manufacturing. The film F1 is a film that realizes semi-transparent structural color (corresponding to a structural color film), and the film F2 is a film that is soft and can change its optical properties (corresponding to a color-changing film). The optical properties of the film F2 change under the control of the control device 10. For example, the optical properties of the film F2 change from a property that reflects transparent light to a property that reflects dark light under the control of the control device 10. Also, for example, the optical properties of the film F2 change from a property that reflects light light to a property that reflects dark light under the control of the control device 10.

Figure 1B is a diagram showing lamination for textile manufacturing. Film F3 is a film in which film F2 is laminated to the bottom of film F1 (corresponding to a structural color changing film). The optical properties of a portion of film F2 (color layer) change under the control of control device 10, causing a change in the structural color of a portion of film F1 (structural color layer).

Figure 1C is a diagram showing a slit for textile manufacturing. The threads K1 to KN are threads (foil threads) made by cutting the film F3 into long and thin strips (corresponding to structural color changing foil threads). For this reason, the foil threads of the threads K1 to KN have a color layer (part of the film F2) and a structural color layer (part of the film F1). The structural color of the structural color layer changes as the optical properties of the color layer of the foil threads of the threads K1 to KN change under the control of the control device 10. In addition, the structural color of the structural color layer may change as the optical properties of the color layer of the foil threads of the threads K1 to KN change according to the viewing angle of the user based on the user's position information under the control of the control device 10. In this case, the control device 10 may estimate the user's position information. Note that each of the threads K1 to KN can be independently controlled under the control of the control device 10. Also, only a specific area of the foil threads of the threads K1 to KN may be controlled by a short circuit.

Figure 1D is a diagram showing weaving for textile manufacturing. The textile 100 is a textile made by weaving threads K1 to KN (corresponding to a structural color changing textile). For example, when threads K1 to KN are warp threads, the textile 100 is made by weaving threads K1 to KN, which are warp threads, with weft threads different from threads K1 to KN. Also, when threads K1 to KN are weft threads, the textile 100 is made by weaving threads K1 to KN, which are weft threads, with warp threads different from threads K1 to KN. The optical properties of the coloring layer of the foil threads of threads K1 to KN change due to the control by the control device 10, and the structural color of the structural color layer changes, thereby changing the design of the textile 100. In this way, foil threads that have a soft colored layer and a semi-transparent structural color layer formed on top of it are woven together, allowing the textile design to change dynamically.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a foil thread according to an embodiment. The foil thread according to an embodiment may be a thread with a three-layer structure. Figure 2A is a diagram showing the structure of a foil thread in which the structural color layer is arranged below the surface so as not to be on the surface. L11 is a substrate, L12 is a structural color layer, L13 is a substrate, L14 is a leuco layer, L15 is a heater layer, and L16 is a substrate. The combination of the leuco layer and the heater layer corresponds to the coloring layer. The combination of L11 and L12, the combination of L13 and L14, and the combination of L15 and L16 each correspond to one layer of the three-layer structure. By arranging the structural color layer below the surface as in Figure 2A, the structural color layer is less likely to be scratched, and durability can be improved.

Figure 2B shows the structure when the structural color layer of the foil thread is arranged on the surface so that it is on the surface. L21 is the structural color layer, L22 is the substrate, L23 is the substrate, L24 is the leuco layer, L25 is the heater layer, and L26 is the substrate. As in the case of Figure 2A, the combination of L21 and L22, the combination of L23 and L24, and the combination of L25 and L26 each correspond to one layer of the three-layer structure. By arranging the structural color layer on the surface as in Figure 2B, clearer expression is possible, thereby expanding the design expression.

The substrate according to the embodiment may transmit only light of a specific wavelength. When the substrate according to the embodiment transmits only light of a specific wavelength, the structural color changes depending on the transmitted light and the control of the optical properties of the color layer.

In addition, it is preferable that the thickness of the substrate in the embodiment is about 50 μm to 100 μm, the thickness of the color layer is about several hundred nm, and the width of the foil thread is about 0.3 mm to 4.0 mm (see Figure 3).

The color layer according to the embodiment is not limited to a combination of a leuco layer and a heater layer (a combination of a leuco dye and a heater), but may be a combination of electronic paper, a variable transmission film such as PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal), an organic EL (Electronic Luminescent), an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an optical fiber, or a diffuser (for example, a soft material or device that emits light).

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the wiring configuration of a circuit according to an embodiment. Threads K1 to KN are foil threads according to an embodiment. The foil threads according to an embodiment may have the electrodes of the coloring layer exposed on the surface. Exposing the electrodes of the coloring layer on the surface makes it easier to make contact, which makes it easier to control by the control device 10.

The foil yarn according to the embodiment may have an area of the structural color layer exposed on the surface that is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, the foil yarn according to the embodiment may have an area ratio of the exposed portion of the structural color layer to the area of the structural color layer that is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, or the area ratio of the exposed portion of the structural color layer to the area of the textile that is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

(When colored yarn and structural color yarn are included)
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a method for producing a textile according to an embodiment. Note that the same explanation as in Fig. 1 will be omitted as appropriate. Fig. 5A is a diagram showing preparations for textile production. Film F1 is a film that realizes semi-transparent structural color, and film F2 is a soft film whose optical properties can be changed.

Figure 5B shows slits for textile production. Yarns K11 to K1N are threads made by cutting film F1 into strips (structural color threads). Therefore, the foil threads of yarns K11 to K1N have a structural color layer (film F1 part). Also, yarns K21 to K2N are threads made by cutting film F2 into strips (colored threads). Therefore, the foil threads of yarns K21 to K2N have a colored layer (film F2 part).

Figure 5C is a diagram showing weaving for textile manufacturing. The textile 100 is a textile (textile) made by weaving threads K11 to K1N and threads K21 to K2N. For example, the textile 100 is made by weaving threads K11 to K1N, which are weft threads, and threads K21 to K2N, which are warp threads. For example, the textile 100 may be made by weaving threads K11 to K1N, which are warp threads, and threads K21 to K2N, which are weft threads. The textile 100 is made by weaving a structural color thread so that it overlaps on top of the colored threads K21 to K2N. The optical properties of the colored threads of threads K21 to K2N change due to control by the control device 10, and the structural color of the structural color thread changes, thereby changing the design of the textile 100. In this way, the structural color yarn is woven so that it overlaps on top of the colored yarn, allowing the textile design to change dynamically. Each of the yarns K21 to K2N can be independently controlled by the control device 10. Also, only specific regions of the textile may be controlled by short-circuiting the yarns K21 to K2N.

(Including colored textiles and structural color textiles)
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a method for producing a textile according to an embodiment. Note that descriptions similar to those in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 will be omitted as appropriate. Fig. 6A is a diagram showing preparations for textile production. Film F1 is a film that realizes semi-transparent structural color, and film F2 is a soft film whose optical properties are changeable.

Figure 6B shows slits for textile production. Threads K11 to K1N are threads made by cutting film F1 into strips (structural color threads). Threads K21 to K2N are threads made by cutting film F2 into strips (colored threads).

Figures 6C and 6D are diagrams showing weaving for textile production. Textile T1 (see Figure 6C) is a textile made by weaving threads K11 to K1N (structural color textile). Therefore, textile T1 contains structural color yarns. Textile T2 (see Figure 6C) is a textile made by weaving threads K21 to K2N (colored textile). Therefore, textile T2 contains colored yarns. And textile 100 (see Figure 6D) is a textile made so that the structural color textile is superimposed on top of the colored textile (textile).

2. Usage
An actual usage mode will be described below. For example, design information and time information (such as the timing of the design change) to be changed may be set on an application installed on the terminal device 20, and the design of the textile 100 may be changed based on the set design information and time information, which are then transmitted to the control device 10 via the network N. At this time, the information may be converted into any RGB output information, for example, and displayed on a display. In this way, an interactive design change system linked to an application may be provided.

The textile according to the embodiment may be used, for example, in curtains, furniture, light shades, and the like. For example, the textile may be used in curtains by placing a circuit in a curtain rail portion. For example, the textile may be used in light shades by placing a circuit in the center of the light shade. Note that these examples are merely examples and are not particularly limited.

3. Configuration of Information Processing System
An information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 7 will be described. As shown in Fig. 7, the information processing system 1 includes a control device 10, a terminal device 20, and a textile 100. The control device 10, the terminal device 20, and the textile 100 are connected to each other via a predetermined communication network (network N) so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment. Note that the information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 7 may include a plurality of control devices 10, a plurality of terminal devices 20, and a plurality of textiles 100.

The control device 10 is a device for controlling the textile 100. The control device 10 performs processing based on information transmitted from the terminal device 20 or the like via the network N. For example, the control device 10 performs processing for changing the design of the textile 100. For example, the control device 10 performs processing for selectively supplying power to the top contact. The control device 10 may also estimate position information of a user and perform control according to the user's viewing angle based on the user's position information. For example, the control device 10 may perform control to change the optical properties of the color layer according to the user's viewing angle.

The terminal device 20 is an information processing device used by a user. The terminal device 20 may be any device that can realize the processing in the embodiment. The terminal device 20 may also be a device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA, or a microcontroller. The terminal device 20 transmits control information to the control device 10 according to settings input by the user, for example.

The textile 100 is a smart textile. The textile 100 is a textile including yarns including a color layer whose optical properties can be changed, and a structural color layer that realizes structural colors by a structure that reflects light of different wavelengths from incident light. The textile 100 may also be a textile including a color yarn whose optical properties can be changed, and a structural color yarn that realizes structural colors by a structure that reflects light of different wavelengths from incident light. The textile 100 may also be a textile including a color textile whose optical properties can be changed, and a structural color textile that realizes structural colors by a structure that reflects light of different wavelengths from incident light.

Note that, although FIG. 7 shows a case where the control device 10 and the terminal device 20 are separate devices, the control device 10 and the terminal device 20 may be integrated.

4. Effects
As described above, the yarn according to the embodiment is characterized in that it includes a color layer whose optical properties can be changed, and a structural color layer that realizes structural colors by reflecting different wavelengths of light from the incident light.

This allows for dynamic control of structural colors, which makes it possible to expand design expression. For example, it can be effectively implemented on curtains, furniture, light shades, etc. For example, when implemented on a curtain, the curtain design changes. For example, it is possible to make a design that was not displayed on the curtain appear, or to make a design that was displayed on the curtain disappear, or to make a design that was displayed on the curtain appear in a brighter color.

It is also characterized by being formed by layering film materials.

This allows for an expansion of design expression.

It is also characterized by including a structural color layer formed on top of the color layer.

This makes it possible to achieve structural color.

The electrode is also characterized by having a color layer exposed on its surface.

This makes it easier to supply power.

It is also characterized by including a structural color layer with an area equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold exposed on the surface.

This makes it possible to achieve structural color.

It is also characterized by including a substrate on top of the color layer that is only transparent to light of a specific wavelength.

This can improve durability.

It is also characterized by including a color layer made of a material selected from electronic paper, a combination of a leuco dye and a heater, a transmission change film, an organic electroluminescence (EL), an LED, an optical fiber, and a diffuser.

This allows for an expansion of design expression.

It also includes a color layer whose optical properties change under the control of the control device 10.

This allows for control over the design expression.

It is also characterized by being independently controllable by the control device 10.

This allows for detailed control over the design expression.

Another feature is that only a specific area can be controlled by short-circuiting.

This allows for detailed control over the design expression.

It also includes a color layer whose optical properties change under the control of the control device 10 according to the user's viewing angle based on the user's position information estimated by the control device 10.

This allows the design expression to be controlled according to the user's position.

The yarn is also characterized by including a color layer whose optical properties can be changed, and a structural color layer that realizes structural colors by reflecting different wavelengths of incident light.

This makes it possible to expand the design possibilities of textiles that have soft, uneven surfaces.

It is also characterized by its 3PLY structure.

This makes it possible to expand the design possibilities of textiles that have soft, uneven surfaces.

[5. Other]
In addition, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the illustrated information.

In addition, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

The above-mentioned embodiments can be combined as appropriate to the extent that they do not cause any contradictions in the processing content.

Although several embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the forms described in the disclosure section of the invention.

Reference Signs List 1 Information processing system 10 Control device 20 Terminal device 100 Textile N Network

Claims (13)

A color layer having changeable optical properties;
a structural color layer formed on at least one surface of the color layer, the structural color layer realizing a structural color by a structure that reflects light of different wavelengths from incident light;
A foil-like thread produced by cutting a film containing the compound into foils . It is produced by cutting a film formed by overlapping a film material that realizes a color layer and a film material that realizes a structural color layer into foil shapes.
The yarn of claim 1 . The film has a front surface and a back surface, the color layer being formed on the back surface, and the structural color layer being formed on the front surface.
The yarn of claim 1 . The optical properties of the color layer are changed by applying a voltage, and an electrode for applying the voltage is exposed on the surface.
The yarn of claim 1 . The yarn according to claim 1 , wherein the film includes the structural color layer having an area exposed on the surface thereof that is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. The yarn according to claim 1 , wherein the film includes a substrate between the color layer and the structural color layer that is transparent to only a specific wavelength. The yarn according to claim 1 , characterized in that the film includes the color layer made of a combination of electronic paper, a leuco dye, a transmission change film, an organic electroluminescent (EL), an LED, an optical fiber, or a diffuser. The yarn according to claim 1 , wherein the film includes a color layer whose optical properties change under the control of a control device. The yarn of claim 1 , wherein the optical properties of the color layer are controllable by a control device. The yarn according to claim 1 , characterized in that the optical properties of the color layer can be controlled only in specific areas by short-circuiting. The yarn according to claim 1, further comprising a color layer whose optical properties change under control of a control device in response to a viewing angle of a user based on position information of the user estimated by the control device. A textile comprising: a foil-like thread produced by cutting a film including a color layer whose optical properties can be changed and a structural color layer formed on at least one surface of the color layer , the structural color layer realizing a structural color by a structure that reflects light of different wavelengths from incident light into foil-like pieces . 13. The textile of claim 12, which has a 3PLY construction.

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