US20120258291A1 - Textile surface structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties and method for the production thereof - Google Patents
Textile surface structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties and method for the production thereof Download PDFInfo
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- US20120258291A1 US20120258291A1 US13/454,891 US201213454891A US2012258291A1 US 20120258291 A1 US20120258291 A1 US 20120258291A1 US 201213454891 A US201213454891 A US 201213454891A US 2012258291 A1 US2012258291 A1 US 2012258291A1
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- threads
- surface structure
- textile surface
- textile
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K11/00—Luminescent, e.g. electroluminescent, chemiluminescent materials
- C09K11/08—Luminescent, e.g. electroluminescent, chemiluminescent materials containing inorganic luminescent materials
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
- D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
- D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
- D02G3/44—Yarns or threads characterised by the purpose for which they are designed
- D02G3/441—Yarns or threads with antistatic, conductive or radiation-shielding properties
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24802—Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
- Y10T428/2481—Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.] including layer of mechanically interengaged strands, strand-portions or strand-like strips
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/20—Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer
- Y10T442/2008—Fabric composed of a fiber or strand which is of specific structural definition
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/20—Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer
- Y10T442/2041—Two or more non-extruded coatings or impregnations
- Y10T442/2098—At least two coatings or impregnations of different chemical composition
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/20—Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer
- Y10T442/2041—Two or more non-extruded coatings or impregnations
- Y10T442/2098—At least two coatings or impregnations of different chemical composition
- Y10T442/2107—At least one coating or impregnation contains particulate material
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/20—Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer
- Y10T442/2418—Coating or impregnation increases electrical conductivity or anti-static quality
Definitions
- the invention relates to a textile surface structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties, whereby insulating sections are arranged between the conductive threads or insulating threads are incorporated into the structure.
- the structure furthermore comprises an inorganic electroluminescent material and electric connection elements in accordance with the precharacterizing portion of claim 1 as well as a method for the production of such textile surface structures in accordance with the features of claim 17 .
- Electroluminescent arrangements and their use as light sources are known from prior art, e.g. EP 1 146 778 A2. Such arrangements comprise an electrode device and dielectric as well as electroluminescent layers. An outer essentially flexible layer forms an insulation and is comprised of a transparent material. The arrangement of a heating element allows for adapting the properties of the structure to different temperature conditions in order to maintain or increase their functional capability and/or luminous efficiency.
- electroluminescent filaments in the form of fibers which are surrounded by an electrically-insulating dielectric layer and which additionally have a layer consisting of a material comprising electroluminescent powder mixed with a bonding agent.
- the light source of the type described above is additionally surrounded by a transparent electrode.
- a plurality of parallel, flexible, insulating threads are interwoven with a plurality of flexible electrode fibers arranged in parallel, whereby a layer of an electroluminescent material is applied to the fiber structure thereby created such that the entire surface is covered.
- the fibers acting as electrodes run substantially perpendicular to the insulating threads.
- the task of the invention to provide a more advanced textile surface structure from an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties, whereby insulating sections are arranged between the conductive threads, or insulating threads are incorporated into the structure, and whereby the structure is of an inorganic electroluminescent material.
- the structure to be thus created should exhibit the usual textile haptics and have high radiant energy efficiency and additionally be as resistant as possible to the usual environmental influences.
- the task of the invention consists of configuring the textile surface structure such that same can be integrated into a textile surface, respectively be produced with conventional textile manufacturing methods.
- the invention thereby begins from an electroluminescent arrangement based on electroluminescent materials which are incorporated into the textile structure and which will illuminate given excitation alternating voltage and are excited by means of textile electrodes and/or electrodes integrated into the textile.
- optical brightening agents and/or luminescent and/or phosphorescent substances or even also pigments to modify the emitted light in the visual spectral range are added to the electroluminescent materials.
- a textile surface structure will realize electroluminescent light sources of large dimensions and activatable displays with high efficiency and simple production. Due to its technologically simple manageability, the textile surface structure can be integrated into such consumer goods as textile materials for interior decoration, protective work clothes, advertising banners or other such similar commodities.
- the electroluminescent material is incorporated into the intermediate areas of the thread structure or is embodied as coated threads arranged within the structure.
- the structure has a coating, also selective, of a fluorescent material and/or an optical brightening agent, whereby it is provided to supplement the overall arrangement with a transparent, elastic protective covering layer, to which however no electrical properties in the sense of an electrode are accorded.
- the covering layer may consist of, for example, a polyurethane or acrylate or may comprise such a material.
- the electric connection elements of the textile surface structure are formed directly on sections of same and can be realized by textile techniques such as stitching, for example.
- Metallized threads, carbon fibers or threads coated with indium tin oxide can be used as the conductive textile substrate.
- two conductive threads of the structure are in each case configured at close spacing facing and insulated from one another, whereby electroluminescent material is incorporated into the intermediate area or a further thread having an electroluminescent coating or such electroluminescent properties is disposed in said intermediate area.
- the close spacing ranges between 100 ⁇ m and 800 ⁇ m, whereby the diameter of a single thread is preferably within the range of 20 ⁇ m to 50 ⁇ m, up to a maximum of 500 ⁇ m.
- the fluorescent substance functioning in the sense of a light amplifier as it were, can also be provided with dyestuff in order to produce a multi-colored light source.
- the fluorescent substance can be applied as an individual printed design, also partially or in sections, e.g. by means of silk-screen or ink jet printing, so as to realize fully customized images, structures or alphanumeric characters, which are then made luminous.
- a pen e.g. a fiber pen
- the fluorescent substance is also within the sense of the invention.
- Pipings and gimps from differently coated and modified threads may comprise components of the textile surface structure.
- the textile surface structure can be used in luminous safety textiles, fabric illuminants for interior decoration or as luminous textile advertising banners.
- textile techniques are used to first produce a pre-structure having adjacent insulated conductive threads.
- electroluminescent paste is applied to the pre-structure, e.g. by spraying, which is at least partly absorbed by the fabric and thereby fixed at no detriment to the pre-structure's elastic properties and/or textile haptics.
- the fluorescent substance is then applied to the pre-treated structure, followed by the applying of the covering protective layer.
- the pre-structure can contain threads having an electroluminescent coating.
- the fluorescent substance can be incorporated into the pre-structure in the form of fluorescent threads or similar coated thread material without departing from the basic idea of the invention.
- the pre-structure is realized as a double-comb structure, whereby conductive and non-conductive weft threads are inserted alternately, and to form the desired comb-like electrode structure and provide for its simple contact, conductive warp threads are threaded for outer laminar contact by alternating and excluding flotation on the left and right sides of the conductive weft threads.
- the invention succeeds in providing a structure, the flexibility and mechanical resilience of which is superior to that of films. Furthermore, the properties of the textile material, such as its breathability, air permeability and other such properties, remain intact to the greatest extent, which is a priori not the case with films.
- the electroluminescent light source thus created hence represents a textile surface which can be used as an independent material or affixed to substrate textiles as flexible sources of light. As far as transport, the flexible light source takes up only the smallest of space.
- the light source thus created has versatile uses in clothing as safety illumination when in traffic, as a fashionable accessory or, in the case of work clothes, can be coupled with sensors as a warning signal and/or display.
- the surface structure produced by the method according to the invention can be readily sewn directly onto a textile base material or be mass-produced like conventional fabrics.
- the actual textile product e.g. an item of clothing, interior linings for automobiles, a technical textile, etc., forms a unit together with the electroluminescent light source.
- the structure created is more mechanically resilient and, as previously mentioned, substantially more flexible than the structures known to date from films or so-called electroluminescent fibers (ELF) with diameters in the range of >2 mm.
- ELF electroluminescent fibers
- FIG. 1 a conductive thread provided with a thin electroluminescent layer
- FIG. 2 an example of an electroluminescent textile surface structure
- FIG. 3 a basic representation showing the principle of a textile surface structure as a display matrix
- FIG. 4 illustrations of a realized electroluminescent textile structure
- FIG. 1 sets out from a conductive textile thread having a diameter of ideally 20 ⁇ m to 50 ⁇ m, with a maximum diameter of 500 ⁇ m, leading to outer electrodes 1 .
- the coating is identified here by reference numeral 7 and the thread by reference numeral 8 .
- the electroluminescent textile surface structure according to FIG. 2 assumes alternatingly introduced conductive 1 and non-conductive 2 weft threads. Outer conductive warp threads 3 are threaded through for laminar contact.
- the comb-like electrode structure is achieved by alternating and excluding left and right side flotation of the conductive weft threads in flotation region 4 .
- the basic representation according to FIG. 3 clearly shows how producing a multi-layer fabric, parts of which exhibit electrically conductive weft and warp threads insulated from one another by the fabric construction, provides for crossings of wefts and warps which are individually selectable and thus generate as it were points of light.
- the laminar electroluminescent structure realized by the applicant pursuant to FIG. 4 starts from a fabric of metallized threads which was coated with an electroluminescent paste.
- the textile surface was produced from 22dTex thread material and is extraordinarily flexible.
- the electroluminescent paste is applied as a very thin preparation such that the textile properties remain even after sealing.
- the recognizable left and right-hand copper foil connections serve only for ease in handling during experimental tests and are not in principle necessary for the structure's actual functioning.
- the transparent, preferably elastic covering layer over the entire arrangement exhibits electrically-insulating properties.
- insulating materials such as polyurethane or acrylate
- PVC polyvinyl chloride
- the testing performed by the applicant showed that structures which consist of a thread-like material provided with micro-encapsulated doped zinc sulfide can be made to illuminate.
- the fabric and threads used and/or the electrodes provided therein in accordance with the embodiment consist of galvanically gold-plated polyamide threads which had first been chemically silver-plated. Gold-plated threads have a positive impact on extending the life of modules produced in such fashion.
- Luminous fabrics realized to date have web densities of between 60 cm ⁇ 1 to 70 cm ⁇ 1 , which corresponds to a thread spacing of approximately 0.0167 cm to 0.143 cm. It was shown that also e.g. double-comb structures having electrode spacing of up to 800 ⁇ m can be successfully excited and made to illuminate. One positive aspect with such spacings is the fact that the excitation alternating voltage does not have to be increased.
- luminous images of different colors can be produced by means of partial printing, e.g. by silk-screen printing on woven double-comb structures provided with electro-luminescent paste. If one uses differently colored pastes in this case, for example blue, green and orange, multi-color printing can result in colored luminous images being produced on the fabric structures. Given the appropriate excitation, the viewer's eye sees additive or subtractive compound colors which extends the chromatic spectrum for further applications.
- the paste-like electroluminescent substance to be applied had a negative impact on the textile processability of the thread materials.
- the relevant luminescent effects can thereafter be achieved by subsequently imprinting the textile electrode surfaces thus produced from individual electrode threads provided with luminescent paste.
- a further embodiment makes use of fluorescent nanoparticles to this end.
- the color of the emitted fluorescent light is hereby a function of particle size and can be varied.
- the necessary voltage transformer which transforms a low voltage, e.g. from a primary cell, into the necessary alternating voltage for the functioning of the arrangement, integrated directly into the textile material. It is particularly advantageous here to introduce the inevitably ensuing directly essential inductance, e.g. with transformer coils, into the fabric and/or to weave in the coils themselves.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a surface textile structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties. Insulating sections are arranged between the conductive threads or insulating threads are incorporated into the structure. The structure also comprises an inorganic electroluminescent material and electric connection elements. According to the invention, the electroluminescent material is incorporated into intermediate areas of the structure or is embodied inside the structure in the form of coated threads. The structure is also provided with a coating which is also selective made of a fluorescent material and/or optical brightening agents. The overall arrangement comprises a transparent, elastic, covering protective layer.
Description
- This application is a Divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 10/545,579, filed 15 Nov. 2006 which is a National Stage Application of PCT/EP2004/001429, filed 16 Feb. 2004, which claims benefit of Serial No. 102 06 769.8, filed 18 Feb. 2003 in Germany and Serial No. 103 33 583.8, filed 24 Jul. 2003 in Germany and which applications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications.
- The invention relates to a textile surface structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties, whereby insulating sections are arranged between the conductive threads or insulating threads are incorporated into the structure. The structure furthermore comprises an inorganic electroluminescent material and electric connection elements in accordance with the precharacterizing portion of
claim 1 as well as a method for the production of such textile surface structures in accordance with the features of claim 17. - Electroluminescent arrangements and their use as light sources are known from prior art,
e.g. EP 1 146 778 A2. Such arrangements comprise an electrode device and dielectric as well as electroluminescent layers. An outer essentially flexible layer forms an insulation and is comprised of a transparent material. The arrangement of a heating element allows for adapting the properties of the structure to different temperature conditions in order to maintain or increase their functional capability and/or luminous efficiency. - Likewise of the prior art are electroluminescent filaments in the form of fibers which are surrounded by an electrically-insulating dielectric layer and which additionally have a layer consisting of a material comprising electroluminescent powder mixed with a bonding agent. The light source of the type described above is additionally surrounded by a transparent electrode.
- The flexibility of such electroluminescent arrangements is limited and mandates that the outer surrounding electrode is to be configured of a transparent material.
- The generic U.S. Pat. No. 3,803,437 patent specification shows an electroluminescent display arrangement consisting of a plurality of flexible wires or threads forming a textile surface structure.
- Specifically, a plurality of parallel, flexible, insulating threads are interwoven with a plurality of flexible electrode fibers arranged in parallel, whereby a layer of an electroluminescent material is applied to the fiber structure thereby created such that the entire surface is covered. In one embodiment, the fibers acting as electrodes run substantially perpendicular to the insulating threads.
- It has been shown, however, that the output of visible light is extremely small given such an embodiment of a textile surface structure having an inorganic electroluminescent layer. This is due to the coating material penetrating into the gaps between the fibers to thereby result in attenuation by shadow effect. If one were to now apply greater quantities of electroluminescent material based on the prior art, this would result in the desired flexibility and typical haptics of a textile structure being lost.
- Based on the above, it is thus the task of the invention to provide a more advanced textile surface structure from an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties, whereby insulating sections are arranged between the conductive threads, or insulating threads are incorporated into the structure, and whereby the structure is of an inorganic electroluminescent material. The structure to be thus created should exhibit the usual textile haptics and have high radiant energy efficiency and additionally be as resistant as possible to the usual environmental influences. At its most basic, the task of the invention consists of configuring the textile surface structure such that same can be integrated into a textile surface, respectively be produced with conventional textile manufacturing methods.
- The task of the present invention is solved by a textile surface structure in accordance with the features of
claim 1 as well as by a method for the production of such a surface structure as defined pursuant to claim 17, wherein the subclaims constitute no less than applicable embodiments and developments. - The invention thereby begins from an electroluminescent arrangement based on electroluminescent materials which are incorporated into the textile structure and which will illuminate given excitation alternating voltage and are excited by means of textile electrodes and/or electrodes integrated into the textile. In accordance with the invention, optical brightening agents and/or luminescent and/or phosphorescent substances or even also pigments to modify the emitted light in the visual spectral range are added to the electroluminescent materials.
- It is an object of the invention that a textile surface structure will realize electroluminescent light sources of large dimensions and activatable displays with high efficiency and simple production. Due to its technologically simple manageability, the textile surface structure can be integrated into such consumer goods as textile materials for interior decoration, protective work clothes, advertising banners or other such similar commodities.
- According to the invention, the electroluminescent material is incorporated into the intermediate areas of the thread structure or is embodied as coated threads arranged within the structure. Furthermore, the structure has a coating, also selective, of a fluorescent material and/or an optical brightening agent, whereby it is provided to supplement the overall arrangement with a transparent, elastic protective covering layer, to which however no electrical properties in the sense of an electrode are accorded.
- The covering layer may consist of, for example, a polyurethane or acrylate or may comprise such a material.
- The electric connection elements of the textile surface structure are formed directly on sections of same and can be realized by textile techniques such as stitching, for example.
- Metallized threads, carbon fibers or threads coated with indium tin oxide can be used as the conductive textile substrate.
- In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two conductive threads of the structure are in each case configured at close spacing facing and insulated from one another, whereby electroluminescent material is incorporated into the intermediate area or a further thread having an electroluminescent coating or such electroluminescent properties is disposed in said intermediate area.
- The close spacing ranges between 100 μm and 800 μm, whereby the diameter of a single thread is preferably within the range of 20 μm to 50 μm, up to a maximum of 500 μm.
- The fluorescent substance, functioning in the sense of a light amplifier as it were, can also be provided with dyestuff in order to produce a multi-colored light source.
- The fluorescent substance can be applied as an individual printed design, also partially or in sections, e.g. by means of silk-screen or ink jet printing, so as to realize fully customized images, structures or alphanumeric characters, which are then made luminous.
- By means of multiple printing, it is possible to create a color matrix in additive or subtractive manner.
- Using a pen, e.g. a fiber pen, to apply the fluorescent substance is also within the sense of the invention.
- Pipings and gimps from differently coated and modified threads may comprise components of the textile surface structure.
- As already indicated, the textile surface structure can be used in luminous safety textiles, fabric illuminants for interior decoration or as luminous textile advertising banners.
- By design and arrangement of the conductive threads as well as the connection elements, it would be possible to create a display matrix having pixels able to be activated individually or by group.
- In the method for producing a textile surface structure, textile techniques are used to first produce a pre-structure having adjacent insulated conductive threads. In a next step, electroluminescent paste is applied to the pre-structure, e.g. by spraying, which is at least partly absorbed by the fabric and thereby fixed at no detriment to the pre-structure's elastic properties and/or textile haptics.
- The fluorescent substance is then applied to the pre-treated structure, followed by the applying of the covering protective layer.
- In an alternative embodiment, the pre-structure can contain threads having an electroluminescent coating.
- The possibility likewise exists of galvanically reinforcing the conductive threads of the pre-structure and/or subsequently treating same to this end.
- The fluorescent substance can be incorporated into the pre-structure in the form of fluorescent threads or similar coated thread material without departing from the basic idea of the invention.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pre-structure is realized as a double-comb structure, whereby conductive and non-conductive weft threads are inserted alternately, and to form the desired comb-like electrode structure and provide for its simple contact, conductive warp threads are threaded for outer laminar contact by alternating and excluding flotation on the left and right sides of the conductive weft threads.
- All in all, the invention succeeds in providing a structure, the flexibility and mechanical resilience of which is superior to that of films. Furthermore, the properties of the textile material, such as its breathability, air permeability and other such properties, remain intact to the greatest extent, which is a priori not the case with films.
- The electroluminescent light source thus created hence represents a textile surface which can be used as an independent material or affixed to substrate textiles as flexible sources of light. As far as transport, the flexible light source takes up only the smallest of space. The light source thus created has versatile uses in clothing as safety illumination when in traffic, as a fashionable accessory or, in the case of work clothes, can be coupled with sensors as a warning signal and/or display.
- The surface structure produced by the method according to the invention can be readily sewn directly onto a textile base material or be mass-produced like conventional fabrics. The actual textile product, e.g. an item of clothing, interior linings for automobiles, a technical textile, etc., forms a unit together with the electroluminescent light source. The structure created is more mechanically resilient and, as previously mentioned, substantially more flexible than the structures known to date from films or so-called electroluminescent fibers (ELF) with diameters in the range of >2 mm.
- The following will describe the invention in greater detail using the example of an embodiment as well as the figures.
- Shown are:
-
FIG. 1 a conductive thread provided with a thin electroluminescent layer; -
FIG. 2 an example of an electroluminescent textile surface structure; -
FIG. 3 a basic representation showing the principle of a textile surface structure as a display matrix; and -
FIG. 4 illustrations of a realized electroluminescent textile structure -
- a) in daylight without power supply connected,
- b) in daylight with power supply connected, and
- c) in a slightly darkened area, likewise with power supply connected.
-
FIG. 1 sets out from a conductive textile thread having a diameter of ideally 20 μm to 50 μm, with a maximum diameter of 500 μm, leading toouter electrodes 1. The coating is identified here byreference numeral 7 and the thread byreference numeral 8. - The electroluminescent textile surface structure according to
FIG. 2 assumes alternatingly introduced conductive 1 and non-conductive 2 weft threads. Outerconductive warp threads 3 are threaded through for laminar contact. - The comb-like electrode structure is achieved by alternating and excluding left and right side flotation of the conductive weft threads in
flotation region 4. - The basic representation according to
FIG. 3 clearly shows how producing a multi-layer fabric, parts of which exhibit electrically conductive weft and warp threads insulated from one another by the fabric construction, provides for crossings of wefts and warps which are individually selectable and thus generate as it were points of light. - The laminar electroluminescent structure realized by the applicant pursuant to
FIG. 4 starts from a fabric of metallized threads which was coated with an electroluminescent paste. - The textile surface was produced from 22dTex thread material and is extraordinarily flexible. The electroluminescent paste is applied as a very thin preparation such that the textile properties remain even after sealing. The recognizable left and right-hand copper foil connections serve only for ease in handling during experimental tests and are not in principle necessary for the structure's actual functioning.
- It was shown that using only electroluminescent pastes exclusively does not provide sufficient luminance since rather large losses of light occur when eschewing the usual optically transparent electrode layers customary to the art. As
FIGS. 4 b) and 4 c) make clear, the use of fluorescent additives, which were applied here in the form of the TITV letter sequence, can intensify the luminous output, whereby intensities are attainable which correspond to those occurring in known electroluminescent films. - The transparent, preferably elastic covering layer over the entire arrangement exhibits electrically-insulating properties. In addition to insulating materials such as polyurethane or acrylate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is thus also conceivable hereto as a covering layer material.
- The testing performed by the applicant showed that structures which consist of a thread-like material provided with micro-encapsulated doped zinc sulfide can be made to illuminate. Preferably, the fabric and threads used and/or the electrodes provided therein in accordance with the embodiment consist of galvanically gold-plated polyamide threads which had first been chemically silver-plated. Gold-plated threads have a positive impact on extending the life of modules produced in such fashion.
- Luminous fabrics realized to date have web densities of between 60 cm−1 to 70 cm−1, which corresponds to a thread spacing of approximately 0.0167 cm to 0.143 cm. It was shown that also e.g. double-comb structures having electrode spacing of up to 800 μm can be successfully excited and made to illuminate. One positive aspect with such spacings is the fact that the excitation alternating voltage does not have to be increased.
- In a further embodiment of the invention, luminous images of different colors can be produced by means of partial printing, e.g. by silk-screen printing on woven double-comb structures provided with electro-luminescent paste. If one uses differently colored pastes in this case, for example blue, green and orange, multi-color printing can result in colored luminous images being produced on the fabric structures. Given the appropriate excitation, the viewer's eye sees additive or subtractive compound colors which extends the chromatic spectrum for further applications.
- It was shown in some cases that the paste-like electroluminescent substance to be applied had a negative impact on the textile processability of the thread materials. Here it is of advantage to incorporate non-coated double-thread electrodes into a textile surface by means of stitching and/or other textile techniques. The relevant luminescent effects can thereafter be achieved by subsequently imprinting the textile electrode surfaces thus produced from individual electrode threads provided with luminescent paste.
- It is a further object of the invention to combine electroluminescence with luminescent materials in order to be able to increase the intensity of the light on the one hand as well as control the color of the emitted light on the other. A further embodiment makes use of fluorescent nanoparticles to this end. The color of the emitted fluorescent light is hereby a function of particle size and can be varied.
- It is also of particular advantage to have the necessary voltage transformer, which transforms a low voltage, e.g. from a primary cell, into the necessary alternating voltage for the functioning of the arrangement, integrated directly into the textile material. It is particularly advantageous here to introduce the inevitably ensuing directly essential inductance, e.g. with transformer coils, into the fabric and/or to weave in the coils themselves.
Claims (16)
1. Textile surface structure from an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties, wherein insulating sections are arranged between the conductive threads or insulating threads are incorporated into the structure, with the structure comprising an inorganic electroluminescent material as well as electric connection elements,
wherein
said electroluminescent material is incorporated into the structure's intermediate areas or is embodied as coated threads arranged within the structure,
with the structure being provided with a coating, also selective, of a fluorescent substance and/or optical brightening agents and wherein the overall arrangement comprises a transparent, elastic, covering protective layer.
2. Textile surface structure in accordance with claim 1 ,
wherein
the covering layer comprises a polyurethane, acrylate, polyvinyl chloride or similar transparent, electrically insulating material.
3. Textile surface structure in accordance with claim 1 ,
wherein
the electric connection elements are configured directly on sections of the surface structure.
4. Textile surface structure in accordance with claim 1 ,
wherein
the electric connection elements are realized by textile techniques such as stitching.
5. Textile surface structure in accordance with claim 1 ,
wherein
the structure is integrated into textile products or other consumer goods.
6. Textile surface structure in accordance with claim 1 ,
wherein
as a conductive textile substrate, the structure exhibits metallized threads, carbon fibers, indium tin oxide-coated threads or the like.
7. Textile surface structure in accordance with one claim 1 ,
wherein
two conductive threads of the structure are configured at close spacing facing and insulated from one another, whereby electroluminescent material is incorporated into the intermediate area or a further thread having an electroluminescent coating or such similar electroluminescent properties is disposed in said intermediate area.
8. Textile surface structure in accordance with claim 7 ,
wherein
the structure is provided as a double-comb structure which is partially printed with electroluminescent material, wherein additive or subtractive mixing of several compound colors provides for realizing a plurality of variable colors.
9. Textile surface structure in accordance with claim 1 ,
wherein
the diameter of the individual threads ranges from preferably 20 μm to 50 μm up to a maximum of 500 μm.
10. Textile surface structure in accordance with claim 1 ,
wherein
the fluorescent substance is dyed or that fluorescent nanoparticles are added for increasing radiation intensity.
11. Textile surface structure according to claim 1 ,
wherein
the fluorescent substance is partially applied as an individual printed design, by silk-screen or ink jet printing.
12. Textile surface structure in accordance with claim 11 ,
wherein
multiple printing creates an additive or subtractive color matrix.
13. Textile surface structure according to claim 1 ,
wherein
the fluorescent substance is applied using a pen.
14. Textile surface structure in accordance with claim 1 ,
wherein
pipings and gimps from differently coated and modified threads are components of the structure.
15. Textile surface structure in accordance with claim 1 ,
wherein
the structure comprises luminous safety textiles, fabric illuminants for interior decoration or as luminous textile advertising banners or the like.
16. Textile surface structure in accordance with claim 1 ,
wherein
the design and arrangement of the conductive threads and the connection elements allows for realizing a display matrix having pixels activated individually or by group.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/454,891 US20120258291A1 (en) | 2003-02-18 | 2012-04-24 | Textile surface structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties and method for the production thereof |
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE10206769.8 | 2003-02-18 | ||
DE10306769 | 2003-02-18 | ||
DE2003133583 DE10333583A1 (en) | 2003-02-18 | 2003-07-24 | Textile surface structure of an array of a plurality of conductive or conductive properties having threads and methods for their preparation |
DE10333583.8 | 2003-07-24 | ||
US10/545,579 US8431185B2 (en) | 2003-02-18 | 2004-02-16 | Textile surface structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties and method for the production thereof |
PCT/EP2004/001429 WO2004074401A1 (en) | 2003-02-18 | 2004-02-16 | Textile surface structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties and method for the production thereof |
US13/454,891 US20120258291A1 (en) | 2003-02-18 | 2012-04-24 | Textile surface structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties and method for the production thereof |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2004/001429 Division WO2004074401A1 (en) | 2003-02-18 | 2004-02-16 | Textile surface structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties and method for the production thereof |
US11/545,579 Division US8072076B2 (en) | 2006-10-11 | 2006-10-11 | Bond pad structures and integrated circuit chip having the same |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120258291A1 true US20120258291A1 (en) | 2012-10-11 |
Family
ID=32920605
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/545,579 Expired - Fee Related US8431185B2 (en) | 2003-02-18 | 2004-02-16 | Textile surface structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties and method for the production thereof |
US13/454,891 Abandoned US20120258291A1 (en) | 2003-02-18 | 2012-04-24 | Textile surface structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties and method for the production thereof |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/545,579 Expired - Fee Related US8431185B2 (en) | 2003-02-18 | 2004-02-16 | Textile surface structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties and method for the production thereof |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US8431185B2 (en) |
DE (2) | DE10333583A1 (en) |
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DE102007050680A1 (en) * | 2007-10-22 | 2009-05-28 | Leonhard Kurz Gmbh & Co. Kg | Sheet structure, especially polymer-based photovoltaic element, e.g. for solar cell, comprises supporting grating with lattice openings covered by skin of viscous coating material |
DE102008045015A1 (en) * | 2008-08-29 | 2010-03-04 | Benecke-Kaliko Ag | Plastic skin with electroluminescent elements |
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DE102009026409A1 (en) | 2009-05-20 | 2010-11-25 | Hochschule Niederrhein | Electroluminescent textile and method of manufacture |
EP2481268A1 (en) * | 2009-09-24 | 2012-08-01 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Electronic textile with local energy supply devices |
DE102010028206A1 (en) * | 2010-04-26 | 2011-10-27 | Tesa Se | Optically continuous, deep-drawable electrode and surface element containing it for EL film / lamps |
DE102012003452B4 (en) * | 2012-02-21 | 2014-12-11 | Daimler Ag | Component for the outer surface of a vehicle |
US9776078B2 (en) | 2012-10-02 | 2017-10-03 | Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. | Application state backup and restoration across multiple devices |
EP2773166A1 (en) * | 2013-02-27 | 2014-09-03 | Sefar AG | Flat and/or strip-like, electroluminescence device with a transparent and flexible electrode made of a woven fabric |
DE202013011255U1 (en) | 2013-12-19 | 2014-01-29 | A.S. Création Tapeten AG | Wallpaper with electroluminescent elements |
DE102014003518B4 (en) | 2014-03-16 | 2017-08-10 | Hermann-Frank Müller | parasol |
US11925219B2 (en) * | 2015-06-18 | 2024-03-12 | Jeffrey Garre Barkshire | Fashionable high-visibility safety apparel |
WO2017175001A1 (en) * | 2016-04-07 | 2017-10-12 | Advanced E-Textiles Ltd | Improvements relating to textiles incorporating electronic devices |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE102004007365A1 (en) | 2004-10-14 |
DE10333583A1 (en) | 2004-09-30 |
US20080220678A1 (en) | 2008-09-11 |
US8431185B2 (en) | 2013-04-30 |
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