KR20230113323A - Functional textiles, manufacturing methods of functional textiles and uses of functional textiles - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a functional textile, wherein the functional textile includes a textile substrate; a plurality of metallic functional conductors 6 provided with insulators 5a; and at least one metal first feed conductor (7) provided with an insulator (5b), wherein the functional conductor (6) is connected to the first feed conductor at contact points (9) spaced apart from each other along the first feed conductor (7). It is connected to the conductor (7). According to the present invention, the insulator 5a of the functional conductor 6 and the insulator 5b of the first feed conductor 7 are at least partially displaced and/or removed at the contact point 9, and the functional conductor (6) and the first feed conductor (7) are connected by integral metal-to-metal bonding at the contact point (9). In addition, the present invention relates to a method for forming the functional textile and a use of the functional textile.

Description

Functional textiles, manufacturing methods of functional textiles and uses of functional textiles

The present invention relates to a functional textile, comprising a textile substrate, a plurality of functional conductors made of metal provided with an insulator, and at least one first feed conductor made of metal provided with an insulator, wherein the functional conductors are spaced apart from each other along the first feed conductor At the point of contact it is connected to the feed conductor.

The present invention relates to a functional textile having conductive properties that can advantageously be used for heating purposes. For example, in automobiles it is known to use such functional textiles to heat seats, backrests or interior trim parts.

Within the scope of the present invention, the functional textile includes a textile substrate usually formed of filaments, in particular plastic filaments, and a metallic functional conductor provided with insulation is provided in or on the textile substrate.

In the context of the present invention, different textiles with basically uniform structures are considered. A corresponding textile having a uniform or substantially uniform structure can be produced, for example, by weft knitting, warp knitting or weaving. However, in principle, the textile substrate may also be formed from a fleece (non-woven fabric) in which individual filaments or fibers are randomly arranged and laminated to be aligned to some extent.

According to the invention, the textile substrate may in particular be a spacer textile. According to the general structure of the textiles, the spacer textiles are each a first flat or flat textile layer, a second flat or flat textile layer spaced apart from the textile layer and usually parallel to the textile layer, and the textile layers to each other. It includes a spacer filament to connect.

Spacer fabrics may be used to form the heating textile. The spacer fabric is characterized by a low basis weight, a relatively open and air permeable structure and elastic properties in the thickness direction. In the case of a spacer textile having a first flat knit layer, a second flat knit layer and spacer filaments connecting the knit layers, the heating conductor is formed in the structure of one of the knit layers, which is usually formed of plastic filaments.

DE 10 2006 038 612 A1 discloses a functional textile in the form of knitted spacer sections in which non-insulated heating conductors are contained in a flat knitted layer and are in contact with each other. Such a configuration forms a planar conductive structure that can be contacted by the two transverse knit feed conductors. Since all conductor filaments form a common electrically conductive structure with a plurality of contact points, point contact is usually sufficient. In practice, however, the structure may sometimes lead to locally non-uniform or inadequate heating.

DE 10 2018 111 893 [US 2021/0315060] describes a heating textile for transferring heat, in which electrically conductive fiber strands are present, in which contact of the fiber filaments is also provided by physical contact with stitch-like connections.

However, with respect to long-term functionality, many known heating textiles with non-insulated heating conductors are in need of improvement. In this regard, it is also customary for functional textiles, in particular heating textiles for automobiles, to undergo very stringent tests beforehand, above all mechanical loads are applied, and functional textiles are also free from foreign substances such as conductive and/or oxidizing liquids. come into contact In the case of non-insulated heating conductors, failures may occur, for example due to corrosion and oxidation.

In the case of non-insulated systems that are prone to contact, various approaches have been pursued to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages. Even when corrosion-resistant nickel-copper alloys are used for heating conductors, they result in only limited stability.

According to DE 10 2015 114 778, it is proposed in this regard to provide the filament with a conductive coating, in particular a silver coating, so that the corrosiveness is at least reduced. However, the costs associated with manufacturing such knitted spacer fabrics are relatively large. This is especially true when the available conductive cross-section is based on a relatively thin coating. Resistance also needs improvement. It should be noted herein that a thin coating of metal, particularly silver, compared to a plastic filament that is highly stretchable as a core, may cause cracks or microcracks to occur in the metal coating when the entire filament is stretched during manufacture or use. do. In the case of polyamide, which is preferred in combination with silver as a material for filaments, there is also the problem of swelling when exposed to moisture, resulting in further damage.

A general type of functional textile in the form of a knitted spacer fabric section is known from DE 10 2009 013 250, in which an insulating system of the general type and alternatively a non-insulating system is described in relation to a functional conductor and a heating conductor as feed conductor. do. In the case of bare functional conductors and bare feed conductors, secure contact can be achieved with electrically conductive adhesives. In addition, welding can be achieved using a correspondingly high current flow and resistance at the point of contact resulting in melting, so that an integral metal/metal joint can be formed.

DE 10 2018 111 893 [US 2021/0315060] discloses a textile substrate for forming a heating element which is bonded using an adhesive, that is to say a hot melt adhesive. A stitch filament is additionally provided to secure the heating conductor to the contact conductor filament.

On the other hand, when an insulator is provided to the functional conductor and at least the first feed conductor according to a general configuration, the insulator can be melted to such an extent that the functional conductor and the first feed conductor are connected in an electrically conductive manner at a touching contact. However, the embodiments of such functional textiles also need improvement, especially with respect to long-term loads or the aforementioned material tests.

Furthermore, general types of functional textiles in the form of knitted spacer fabrics are known from DE 10 2019 103 934 [US 2020/0263334] and DE 10 2019 103 935 A1. In the described heating insert in the form of a warp knitted spacer fabric section, a plurality of heating conductors extending substantially along a first direction extend approximately parallel to each other and are connected at their ends. The specific type of contact is not specified here.

A fabric with a conductive functional conductor is known from EP 1 137 322 B1. The conductor, which is preferably made of carbon fiber, is provided with an insulating coating. By melting such a coating layer, it is possible to electrically contact the feed conductors of the carbon fibers.

According to DE 10 2009 010 415 A1, in order to avoid the problem of complex contact, a single electrically conductive resistance wire is laid meanderingly in a textile substrate in the form of a knitted spacer cloth. Manufacturing is very complex. The arrangement between the knitted layers results in a certain insulation in both directions.

On the other hand, when functional filaments are incorporated into one of the knitted layers, heating mainly occurs in that knitted layer, whereby a certain level of insulation is achieved by the air layer and the gap formed by the spacer filaments provided between the knitted layers. It is particularly advantageous to have this already been achieved. For example, when heating the interior space of a motor vehicle, it is advantageous if the knitted layer provided with the functional conductor is turned inward toward its interior so that heat loss outside the body or skin of such a motor vehicle is also minimized.

DE 4 239 068 discloses a spacer fabric with a plurality of heating conductors and two feed conductors spaced apart from each other. The heating and feed conductors may have insulation interrupted at the junction. The exact nature of the connection is not described.

The object of the present invention is to provide a functional textile of a general type, in particular for heating, which has good functional properties, is particularly robust and resistant to abrasion. Another object is to provide a method for producing the functional textile and a preferred use of the functional textile.

The object of the present invention and its achievement are the functional textile according to claim 1, the manufacturing method of the functional textile according to claim 13, and the use of the functional textile according to claim 19.

Starting from a functional textile of the general type according to the present invention, according to the present invention, first the insulation of the functional conductor and the insulation of the first feed conductor are at least partially displaced and/or removed at the contact point, then the functional conductor and the first The feed conductor is connected to the contact point by integral metal/metal bonding.

With integral metal/metal bonding, the metal structure of the functional conductor is merged with the metal structure of the first feed conductor at each point of contact, which is different from forming a simple physical contact or engagement. Thus, the functional conductor and the first feed conductor are at least partly directly connected to each other by soldering or welding, so that only the integral metal/metal junction has its own specific strength.

The one-piece metal/metal junction ensures low electrical resistance of the contact points. The integral metal/metal joint remains unchanged, at least up to a certain load limit, unaltered by mechanical action, and may absorb tensile forces to some extent. Thus, relative motion that could lead to contact resistance, electrically induced corrosion or other damage can be reliably prevented. In addition, the integral metal/metal junction is sufficiently protected from external influences.

In order to create an integral metal/metal junction described in particular by pressure and temperature, the insulation of the functional conductor and the insulation of the first feed conductor are at least partially displaced and/or removed at the point of contact. Preferred methods by which such functional textiles can be produced in an advantageous manner are described below.

According to a preferred refinement of the invention, an insulating material is applied separately to the contact points. Such separately applied insulating material fills where the insulation of the functional conductor and the insulation of the first feed conductor are removed at the contact points. Separately applied insulating materials ensure electrical isolation at the contact points, creating an overall fully insulated system. Thus, electrochemical corrosion or other damage due to foreign matter is largely excluded. Furthermore, this has the advantage that an effective protective layer is provided by the insulation of the functional conductor and the first feed conductor on the one hand and the separately applied insulating material on the other hand.

In addition, the separately applied insulating material at the contact points results in mechanical reinforcement with specific mechanical compensating properties. At the contact point, the combination of the metal joint on the one hand and the insulating material applied separately on the other hand gives a particularly high strength, which considerably exceeds the sum of the strength of the metal/metal joint alone or the separately applied insulating material alone.

Also, as explained below, the insulator of the functional conductor, the insulator of the first feed conductor and the separately applied insulating material are usually formed of plastic, and different types of plastic are suitable. The separately applied insulation material is usually materially different from the insulation of the functional conductor and the insulation of the first feed conductor. Thus, the different materials on the functional textile itself can be easily analyzed and selectively differentiated.

Functional conductors are provided especially for heating, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Additionally or alternatively, functional conductors may be provided, such as in connection with sensors, usage sensing, and the like.

In various applications, the functional conductor is typically provided with a significantly smaller cross-sectional area than the first feed conductor and a correspondingly significantly higher resistance. Accordingly, it may be desirable for the functional conductor to be formed by a relatively thin wire insulated with, for example, a lacquer layer. Correspondingly coated wires with different metallic materials, different thicknesses and different coatings can be used.

Insulations based on polymers, especially in the form of insulating lacquers, also provide advantages in the manufacture of functional textiles when the functional conductors are incorporated into the textile substrate, as explained in more detail below. When functional conductors are produced on corresponding textile machines, such as in weaving, weaving or warp knitting processes, there is less friction and less wear with plastic-based insulating lacquers compared to bare uninsulated metal wires.

Insulating lacquers can be formed, for example, based on polyurethane, and such lacquers are often thermosetting.

As already mentioned above, it is advantageous for the first feed conductor to have a larger cross-sectional area. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in such a connection, the first feed conductor is formed by conductive metal strands, in particular copper strands. The copper strands are formed substantially of copper or a copper alloy. The first feed conductor may have a coating of thermoplastic material as an insulator that is extruded onto the metal conductor strands, especially in the case of a configuration consisting of stranded metal conductors. Using an extruded thermoplastic material has the advantage that the metal conductor strands are covered. However, the spaces between the individual strands of the conductor are not filled or only partially filled. However, in principle the insulation of the first feed conductor can also be formed by various types of coatings, such as immersion in liquid thermoplastics or curing of thermosets.

Regarding the processing and handling of the first feed conductor and the resistance capacity, it is preferable that a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is provided as the thermoplastic material forming the insulating layer on the first feed conductor. In principle, all types of thermoplastic elastomers are suitable, preference being given to thermoplastic elastomers based on polyesters or copolyesters (TPE-E).

In addition, as will be described below in relation to the functional textile manufacturing method, a material for forming an insulator is usually applied in a liquid form at a contact point. In addition to the melt application of thermoplastic materials, a separate insulating material may be applied and subsequently cured at room temperature depending on the composition. Advantageously, curing or setting, in particular activation by means of UV light, can be carried out. In this regard, it is also possible to cure an insulating material initially applied in a liquid state within a few seconds by irradiating with UV light, for example within about 4 seconds. In a particularly advantageous way, the functional textile can then be further processed or stored. It also has the advantage that high strength is imparted to the contact point by the one-piece metal/metal bonding on the one hand and the face-applied insulating material on the other hand.

According to the preferred variant described above, if the insulating material applied in the liquid phase is cured by activation, for this purpose two chemical components may be combined (2 K insulating material and adhesive), the corresponding accelerated curing being air and/or or upon first contact with moisture.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the functional conductor can be connected to the first feed conductor in a parallel circuit. Also, for example, two interconnected functional conductors may be connected in series as one group, or a plurality of groups formed in this way may be connected in parallel with each other. In principle, other electrical connections are also possible.

The functional conductor may extend substantially along the first direction, and the first feed conductor may extend along the second direction at a predetermined angle with respect to the functional conductor. Nevertheless, the functional conductors need not all extend in parallel along the first direction, nor do they need to extend parallel to each other. As is fundamentally known, the individual feed conductors may also be wavy or zigzag. Also, adjacent functional conductors may have a larger or smaller spacing than each other, at least in a region having a nonparallel profile. For certain applications, by suitable measures, for example, contours of functional textiles that deviate from a rectangular shape can be created, and/or individual regions with functional conductors can be cut out.

Preferably, the individual functional conductors are arranged so that they do not intersect even though they are intrinsically safe due to the insulation.

Regarding the possible arrangement of the functional conductors, reference is made to DE 10 2019 103 934 [US 2020/0263334] cited above regarding the section with functional conductors in the form of heating conductors. Possibilities of variants with respect to the arrangement of the heating conductors are shown, for example, in FIGS. 4a to 4e and FIG. 5 .

Typically, in order to contact the functional conductors adjacent to the edge of the functional textile with the first feed conductors, the first feed conductors are extended at a predetermined angle with respect to the respective functional conductors, so that the contact points are formed at the intersections. In this case, the second direction may extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the first direction. In principle, depending on the material cross-section shape or use, it can also be advantageous if the first feed conductor extends obliquely from right angles. Then, the first direction and the second direction form an acute angle between 60° and 90°, for example.

In principle, the first feed conductor does not run straight, but it is also possible for example to run along an arc. However, adjustments can be made to the correct shape for different applications, although increased production effort cannot be ruled out.

According to a preferred improvement of the present invention, the functional conductor is connected between the first feed conductor and the second feed conductor, and the second feed conductor extends in the first direction at a distance from the first feed conductor. In the context of such an embodiment, the two feed conductors form a feed and ground line for the functional conductor. Then, when used in a direct current system, in particular in a motor vehicle, one of the two feed conductors can advantageously be assigned to the ground of the entire electrical system.

According to a preferred embodiment, if a second feed conductor is provided, all features and variant possibilities described in relation to the first feed conductor also apply to the second feed conductor.

As previously discussed, different types of textile substrates may be provided within the scope of the present invention. Textile substrates may be formed, for example, by weaving, weft knitting, or warp knitting processes; alternatively, nonwoven fabrics having a predetermined statistical density of filaments and fibers are contemplated. The textile substrate may be formed as a simple textile layer by a weaving, weft knitting or warp knitting process, or as a spacer textile having a first flat textile layer, a second flat textile layer and a spacer filament connecting these two textile layers. .

Irrespective of the specific embodiment of the textile substrate, with respect to the formation of the functional textile, it is advantageous if the individual functional conductors are present on the outer surface of the textile substrate or placed on the textile substrate in the region of the contact points. Then, the first feed conductor can be inserted between the textile substrate and the functional conductor, thereby forming a contact point on the corresponding outer surface of the textile substrate. Alternatively, it is also possible that the textile substrate is cut to size prior to manufacture of the contact points, in such a way that the textile substrate is removed from the area where the contact points are to be formed. However, it is also preferred if the functional conductor extends out of the relevant surface and is thus exposed in the vacant area.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the textile substrate is formed by a knitted spacer fabric having a first flat knitted layer, a second flat knitted layer and spacer filaments connecting the knitted layers, and the functional conductor is the first knitted layer part of the layer

When the textile substrate is formed by non-woven or woven fabric, the functional conductors may be introduced into the textile substrate in a straight line or, if appropriate, in a zigzag pattern.

In the case of weft or warp knit fabrics, in principle, the functional conductors may also form filament-like stitches of a textile substrate, usually made of plastic. However, preferably the functional conductors are arranged to be integrated into the textile substrate without forming stitches. In this regard, a staggered configuration is advantageous, as is known in principle, for example from documents DE 10 2009 013 250 B3, DE 4 239 068 C2, DE 10 2019 103 934 [US 2020/0263334] and DE 10 2019 103 935.

The functional conductors may have a diameter of, for example, between 25 μm and 200 μm, particularly preferably between 40 μm and 100 μm. For use in particular for heating, the electrical resistance of the functional conductor may be between 1 Ω (ohms)/m and 280 Ω/m (ohms per meter), preferably between 5 Ω/m and 70 Ω/m.

The above diameters relate to the normally circular cross-sectional area of the wire. In principle, it is also possible to use metal wires whose cross section is not circular. The cross-sectional area then advantageously corresponds to the area of a circular wire having the diameter indicated above.

The first feed conductor, if provided, each of the first feed conductor and the second feed conductor has a large cross-section and can particularly preferably be formed from a plurality of metal conductor strands, in particular copper filaments. The copper filament is substantially formed of copper or a copper alloy.

Regarding good conductivity and good processability, the functional conductor and/or the first feed conductor or the optionally provided second feed conductor may be formed of a copper wire or a copper conductor, which may also consist of a plurality of copper filaments. In the case of copper or copper alloys as material for functional conductors and/or feed conductors, additional metallic coatings may also be advantageous. For example, copper wire may be tin-plated, in particular hot-plated. This means that the underlying copper or underlying copper alloy is better protected by a tin coating having a typical thickness of 1 μm to 2 μm, and the integral metal/metal contact provided according to the present invention will also be more easily formed. brings the advantage of being able to Whether made of substantially pure copper or a copper alloy, in the context of the present invention the wire or filament in question is referred to as a copper wire or copper strand.

In order to create an integral metal/metal junction, also, on the one hand, the normally distinctly different cross-sections of the functional conductor and the first or optionally provided second feed conductor, and thus the different heat conduction, have to be taken into account. Accordingly, it is most advantageous if the first feed conductor and optionally the second feed conductor are positioned between the textile substrate and the functional conductor being drawn from the textile substrate. Viewed from the outside, the functional conductor is laid on top of either the first feed conductor or the second feed conductor, where appropriate connections can be made more easily.

Due to the different sizes and thermal conductivities, it can be difficult to precisely form the contact points. Experiments have shown that it is not at least easily possible to manufacture reliable connections through ultrasonic or laser welding.

Against this background, the present invention also relates to a method for producing a functional textile having the above-mentioned characteristics in particular. Of course, the method described below may also have the above-described characteristics.

According to a functional textile manufacturing method, a textile substrate including a plurality of metallic functional conductors is provided, and at least one metallic feed conductor provided with an insulator is disposed such that the conductor crosses the functional conductor at an intersection; At their junctions, the insulation of the functional conductor and the insulation of the feed conductor are at least partially displaced and/or removed to form a contact point by only the local action of pressure and temperature, and the functional conductor and the feed conductor are integrally metal/metal bonded. remain connected by; A separate insulating material is then applied to the contact points thus formed.

The contact point is preferably formed continuously with a thermal welding tool, which may also be referred to as a thermode. Corresponding welding tools are known from the field of electronics.

The orientation of the individual intersection points to form the contact point can be controlled manually, computer assisted or fully automatic. In manual procedures, optical aids such as microscopes, magnifying glasses or cameras may be used. The camera can also be used for computer-assisted, or fully automatic process control with corresponding electronic controls.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, when a thermal welding tool is used, the welding tool is heated in a pulsed manner to create a contact point, and the insulation of the feed conductor and the relevant functional conductor is at least partially burned by the first thermal pulse. The functional conductor and the feed conductor are then prepared to be integrally connected by means of a second heat pulse, in particular by being soldered or welded together. Using such a two-part method, the different steps can be independently optimized for your requirements.

The welding tool advantageously has a tip optimized with respect to its size for the formation of the contact point. Advantageously, the effective area of the tip is large enough that a welding tool can be positioned at each junction without undue effort and heat the feed conductor and functional conductor normally located thereunder to a sufficient degree. On the other hand, the effective area should not be too large with respect to process speed, energy efficiency and material saving. The effective area of the tip of the welding tool can be for example between 0.1 mm ² and 8 mm ² , in particular between 0.3 mm ² and 3 mm ² .

As previously described, the separately provided insulating material is preferably applied in liquid form at the formed contact point and cured by activation.

Regarding the formation of the contact point by the local action of pressure and temperature, in the case of spacer textiles, in particular where the pressure and temperature action is generated by means of the aforementioned thermal welding tool, a suitable base or counter surface must be provided precisely. In addition, the textile substrate must be protected from excessive heat.

Against this background, according to a preferred improvement of the method, the functional conductor is present on the outer surface of the textile substrate at the contact point, in particular in the form of a knitted spacer fabric, and the first feed conductor is sandwiched between the functional conductor and the textile substrate ie, a protective strip is temporarily interposed between the functional conductor and the textile substrate to create a contact point. The protective strip can be formed, for example, from a heat-resistant plastic that is removed again after bonding at the contact point.

Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the textile substrate to be trimmed prior to bonding the contact points, such that the functional conductor is exposed in that area.

Finally, the present invention also relates to the use of the aforementioned functional textile, in particular for heating the interior spaces of motor vehicles. Preferably, such use is such that the functional textile has 8 to 40, in particular 12 to 26, functional conductors, for example as heating conductors which can be connected independently or in pairs in a group of electrical parallel circuits as described above. takes place in A number of heating conductors from 8 to 40 is useful for many applications, such as door trim, seats or instrument panels, but the present invention is not limited to that particular number. For certain applications, such as for example a heated steering wheel or large area headliner, fewer or more heating conductors may be provided.

In this case, particularly preferably, the decorative layer is provided on the textile substrate, and the functional conductor is provided on the side of the textile substrate facing the decorative layer. The decorative layer may be, for example, leather, artificial leather, film or covering material.

When the textile substrate according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed by a spacer fabric having a first flat knit layer, a second flat knit layer and spacer filaments therebetween, a functional conductor may be provided on the first knit layer, for example and a decorative layer is then mounted over the first knitted layer. For example, a decorative layer facing the interior of a car can be heated very quickly with a feed conductor directly beneath it by means of sufficient current flow, while in the opposite direction it is spaced apart by spacer filaments and an air gap provided between the knitted layers. Good thermal insulation is achieved by

For example, when the inner lining of the door is provided with a functional textile for heating, a very rapid heat output into the vehicle interior occurs, while heat loss to the outside can be limited, for example, through the vehicle door.

Alternatively, the functional textile may be used in other areas of the vehicle, such as seat surfaces, armrests, instrument panels, steering wheels, and the like.

It should also be taken into account that waste heat from internal combustion engines cannot be used for the growing number of electric vehicles. Against such a background, it is advantageous to the occupants of the vehicle because it is possible to provide a pleasant sense of heat by contact heat or radiant heat without excessively heating the entire interior of the vehicle.

The present invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the drawings.
1 is a perspective view of a knitted spacer fabric for producing a functional textile according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the spacer fabric according to Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows the spacer fabric of Figs. 1 and 2 with additional feed conductors.
4 shows a functional textile manufacturing apparatus.
5A-5D show method steps for making a functional textile.

1 and 2 show a knitted spacer fabric that can be cut into individual sections 1 . The functional textile according to the invention is formed from the individual sections 1 as described in detail below.

As is customary, each section 1 comprises a first knitted layer 2 and a second knitted layer 3 with wales extending in the production direction P and rows extending in the transverse direction Q. have Knitted layers 2 and 3 are connected by spacer filaments 4 . The structure described corresponds to the general structure of knitted spacer fabrics. The spacer fabric, in the context of the present invention, is made of plastic filaments, in particular based on polyester, to form a functional conductor 6 with an insulator 5a, as well as a feed conductor 7 with an insulator 5b, , in the context of the present invention the plastic filaments form the textile substrate. The functional conductor 6 provided with the insulator 5a is a heating conductor and extends substantially along the production direction P. Further, the functional conductor 6 extends in a zigzag pattern in the first knitted layer 2 and does not itself form a stitch, and thus only lies within the first knitted layer 2 . Thus, the functional conductor 6 can be installed in a low-wear manner and with high placement speed.

Regarding the production of the illustrated section, the insulator 5a of the functional conductor 6 is advantageously formed by an insulating lacquer, for example with a polyurethane base.

The installation of the functional conductor 6 on the first knitted layer 2 can be carried out according to DE 10 2019 103 934 [US 2020/0263334], for which reference is made to the described technical embodiment.

In order to make a good electrical connection with the functional conductor 6 as easy as possible, the functional conductor 6 is exposed outward on the outer surface of the first knitted layer 2 in the connection area 8 and initially the first knitted layer ( 2) placed right above it.

According to FIG. 3 , then a feed conductor 7 provided with an insulator 5 b is threaded between the exposed functional conductor 6 and the first knitted layer 2 , typically having two such feed conductors 7 , especially A functional textile for heating is formed. However, for simplicity of illustration, the solution provided in the context of the present invention is described below for only one feed conductor 7, so that the second feed conductor 7 of the functional fabric is contacted in the same way.

A protective strip 10 is temporarily placed between the feed conductor 7 shown in FIG. 3 and the first knitted layer 2 to form a base for making the contact points 9 by means of pressure and temperature. After the formation of the contact points 9, the protective strip 10 formed, for example, of heat-resistant plastic is removed.

4 shows a device for forming contact points 9, wherein the insulation 5a of the functional conductor 6 and the insulation 5b of the feed conductor 7 are at least partially melted and/or removed. , a pressure and temperature action is applied locally using a thermal welding tool 11, also referred to as a thermode, at the junction of the functional conductor 6 and the feed conductor 7, the functional conductor 6 and the feed conductor 7 They remain connected by an integral metal/metal bond. As shown below with respect to FIGS. 5A-5D , the action of pressure and temperature is preferably performed by the welding tool 11 with pulsed heating.

According to FIG. 4 , the welding tool 11 has a tip 12 whose effective surface area can be between 0.1 mm ² and 8 mm ² , in particular between 0.3 mm ² and 3 mm ² .

FIG. 5a shows a sectional view according to FIG. 3 of one of the functional conductors 6 , the underlying feed conductor 7 and the protective strip 10 underneath the feed conductor 7 . The first knitted layer 2 is underneath the protective strip 10 .

According to Fig. 5b, only the insulator 5a of the functional conductor and the insulator 5b of the feed conductor 7 are displaced and/or removed with the first thermal pulse, so that the functional conductor 6 and the feed conductor 7 are in contact with each other. are directly supported by

According to FIG. 5C, the functional conductor 6 and the feed conductor 7 are integrally bonded to each other by the second heat pulse.

According to FIG. 5d , a separate insulator 13 is applied separately as a liquid to the contact point 9 formed in this way and is cured preferably by activation, in particular by means of UV light. Complete electrical insulation is then obtained, imparting particularly good strength and load carrying capacity to the hardened insulating material 13 on the one hand and to the integral metal/metal junction between the feed conductor 7 and the functional conductor 6 do.

As shown in Fig. 4, the contact points 9 spaced apart from each other along the feed conductor 7 are successively formed in the manner described, and the contact points 9 can be created both manually and computer assisted. It can also be generated automatically or completely automatically.

Claims (19)

As a functional textile,
A textile substrate including a plurality of metallic functional conductors (6) provided with an insulator (5a) and at least one first metal feed conductor (7) provided with an insulator (5b), wherein the functional conductor (7) In the functional textile connected to the first feed conductor 7 at a contact point 9 spaced apart from each other along the first feed conductor 7,
The insulator 5a of the functional conductor 6 and the insulator 5b of the first feed conductor 7 are at least partially displaced and/or removed at the contact point 9, and the functional conductor 6 and the The first feed conductors (7) are electrically bonded together at said contact points (9) by metal/metal bonding.
Characterized by a functional textile. According to claim 1,
Characterized in that the insulating material (13) is separately applied to the contact point (9), functional textile. According to claim 2,
Functional textile, characterized in that the insulating material (13) is materially different from the insulator (5a) of the functional conductor (6) and the insulator (5b) of the first feed conductor (7). According to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Characterized in that the functional conductor (6) extends substantially along a first direction, and the first feed conductor (7) extends at a predetermined angle with respect to the functional conductor (6) along a second direction. functional textiles. According to claim 4,
The functional conductor (6) is connected between the first feed conductor (7) and the second feed conductor, the second feed conductor is spaced apart from the first feed conductor (7) in the first direction Characterized by that, functional textiles. According to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The textile substrate is a knitted type having a first knitted layer (2), a second knitted layer (3), and a spacer filament (4) connecting the first knitted layer (2) and the second knitted layer (3). A spacer fabric, characterized in that the functional conductor (6) is partly present in the first knitted layer (2). According to claim 6,
Functional textile, characterized in that the functional conductor (6) is integrated into the textile substrate without forming stitches. According to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Functional textile, characterized in that the insulator (5a) of the functional conductor (6) is formed by an insulating lacquer. According to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Functional textile, characterized in that the first feed conductor (7) is formed by a metal conductor strand with a jacket of thermoplastic material as an insulator (5b). According to any one of claims 1 to 9,
Functional textile, characterized in that the first feed conductor (7) is present on the textile substrate and the functional conductor (6) extends out of the textile substrate in the region of the first feed conductor (7). According to any one of claims 1 to 10,
Functional textile, characterized in that the functional conductor (6) and/or the first feed conductor (7) is formed essentially of copper or a copper alloy, in particular tinned copper wire. In particular, as a method for producing a functional textile according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
a) providing a plurality of metallic functional conductors (6) integrated in the textile substrate and provided with an insulator (5a) on the textile substrate;
b) arranging the feed conductors (7) in such a way that at least one metal feed conductor (7) provided with an insulator (5b) crosses the functional conductor (6) at an intersection;
c) at least partially displacing the insulator 5a of the corresponding functional conductor 6 and the insulator 5b of the feed conductor 7 at the junction so as to form the contact point 9 only by the local action of pressure and temperature. and/or removing, electrically bonding the corresponding functional conductor (6) and the feed conductor (7) together by integral metal/metal bonding; and
d) applying a separate insulating material (13) to the contact points.
How to include. According to claim 12,
wherein the contact point (9) is formed continuously with a thermal welding tool (11). According to claim 13,
The welding tool (11) is heated in a pulsed manner to make the contact point (9);
at least partially burning and/or removing the insulation (5a) of the relevant functional conductor (6) and the insulation of the feed conductor (7) with a first thermal pulse;
Bonding the corresponding functional conductor (6) and the feed conductor (7) to each other with a second heat pulse. method. The method of claim 13 or 14,
The welding tool (11) has a tip (12) with a surface of 0.1 mm ² to 8 mm ² , in particular 0.3 mm ² to 3 mm ² . According to any one of claims 12 to 15,
wherein the separate insulating material (13) is applied as a liquid to the formed contact points (9) and hardened by activation. According to any one of claims 12 to 16,
The functional conductor 6 extends to the outside of the textile substrate at the contact point 9, the first feed conductor 7 is present between the functional conductor 6 and the textile substrate, and the contact point 9 ), a protective strip (10) is temporarily interposed between the first feed conductor (7) and the textile substrate. In particular, the use of the functional textile according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for heating the interior space of a motor vehicle. According to claim 18,
A decorative layer is provided on the textile substrate, and the functional conductor (6) is present on the side covered by the decorative layer in the textile substrate.