WO2008110250A1

WO2008110250A1 - Fabric in the form of a knitted, woven, or a nonwoven type of article of clothing or for a seat cover or for a textile surface or for an element made of a textile

Info

Publication number: WO2008110250A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/001228
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jochen Michelmann; Martin Müller; Thorsten Schleucher
Original assignee: I.G. Bauerhin Gmbh
Priority date: 2007-03-12
Filing date: 2008-02-18
Publication date: 2008-09-18
Also published as: DE102007012237A1; WO2008110250A8; EP2129819B1; EP2129819A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a fabric in the form of a knitted, woven, or a nonwoven type of article of clothing or for a seat cover or for a textile surface or for an element made of a textile, with fibers or bundles of fibers which are integrated therein or applied thereon or completely or partially formed thereby. Said fibers or bundles of fibers have a plurality of synthetic filaments which carry a conductive coating on the surface thereof, which fabric is characterized in that the synthetic filaments composed of poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) are formed with a coating composed of a conductive layer.

Description

MATERIAL IN THE FORM OF A KNITTED, WOVEN OR SIMILAR FLEECE KLEDUNGSTEILS FOR A ¹ SEAT OR FOR A TEXTILE SURFACE OR ON TEXTILES ELEMENT

The invention relates to a fabric in the form of a knitted, woven or fleece-like clothing part or for a seat surface or for a textile surface or for a textile element with integrated therein or attached thereto or wholly or partially formed therefrom fibers or fiber bundles comprising a plurality of plastic filaments have, which carry on its surface a conductive coating.

For the production of electrical conductors in textiles, plastic fibers or filaments are used to an increasing extent, which are coated with a metal layer. This type of conductor primarily uses thermoplastics as a core to which a gold or silver overlay is applied. With these materials, it is possible to produce highly flexible, breakable and bendable conductors and strands that can be used as signal, power supply or heating conductors.

Conductors as described above are described in DE 10 2004 011 514 A1.

In particular, conductors with diameters smaller than 20 μm achieve the flexibility and bendability of pure textile fibers.

Conductor structures, the above type, have the disadvantage that the use in textiles, which are exposed to higher temperatures, is only possible to a limited extent, since the plastics used are temperature stable only up to about 200 ⁰ C. For applications in textiles exposed to high temperatures, for example in protective clothing against fire and in textiles for shielding against radiant heat, these conductors are therefore unsuitable. On the other hand, if one uses fluorine-containing plastics (FEP, PTFE), which withstand temperatures in the range of 300 to 400 ⁰ C, although there is an improved temperature stability, but the tensile strength of these plastics is so low that the desired life in textiles, the permanent Movements are suspended, can not be achieved. Although the use of aramids could remedy this problem, the adhesion of a conductor material to the fiber surface of the aramid would be insufficient, so that the bending flexibility in conjunction with a constant electrical conductance can not be achieved.

A solution to this problem is described in DE 102 06 336 A1, which deals with electrical heating elements for seat heaters and steering wheel heating. Amongst other things, heating and supply lines are specified in which the core is made of steel, so that such a conductor can be used for higher temperatures, for example for heating conductors. Such wires are known as core-sheath wires. Obviously the adhesion between the steel core and a conductor material, e.g. Copper, sufficient for applications in which these conductors are used, for example in textile materials, which are exposed to constant movements. However, such conductors are, compared to ladders with a. Plastic core, by the very hard and less flexible steel cores and the diameter of the monofilaments used in this technique disadvantageous. Conventional methods of drawing to form core-sheath wires, hardly allow diameter of less than 30 microns, so that this type of conductor is only partially suitable because of their diameter of at least 30 microns. If the core consists of metal, then there is still a problem due to the rather high specific weight of the fiber in comparison to pure textile structures, which makes problematic applications which demand a high material usage.

Another solution is galvanic or coated by vacuum vapor deposition steel filaments. The raw steel filaments, ie those without coating, are known from US 3,472,289; Such steel filaments reach at present time minimum diameter of up to 8 microns. The surrounding cladding material may be nickel, gold, silver or another conductive metal. Although the flexibility compared to a core-sheath conductor with a diameter of 30 microns could be significantly increased, but Due to the tough steel core and the rather high specific weight, there are still serious differences to pure textile fibers.

Based on the above-described prior art, and in particular of a material of the type described above, the invention has the object to form a substance such that it does not have the disadvantages set forth in the prior art, and in particular in conjunction with in or can be used attached to textiles, electrical systems. Another object of the invention is to integrate flexible, metal-coated fibers in different types of fabrics for textiles and thereby adjust durability, life, temperature resistance and electrical properties so that use in a mechanically and thermally or optically highly loaded environment possible is.

This object is achieved, starting from a material of the type mentioned, in that the plastic filaments of poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) are formed with a coating of a conductive layer. These conductive-coated plastic filaments can be combined into fiber bundles. Each fiber bundle comprises a corresponding number of plastic filaments of poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole). Poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole), also abbreviated to p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole, or PBO, has almost twice the modulus of elasticity of conventional aramid fibers. In conjunction with the high tensile strength of about 5.5 to 6.0 GPA, which corresponds to about 10 times the tensile strength of steel, substances which are wholly or partly formed from these fibers, very advantageously used in mechanically highly stressed textiles become. Suitable coating materials which can be used are in principle all metals, but in particular silver or nickel, nickel having advantages in high-temperature applications and under electrochemical loading (electrocorrosion) in conjunction with salt solutions (sodium chloride). Such stresses mainly occur due to body sweat in clothing and seats, for example in motor vehicles.

It has surprisingly been found that the adhesion of metals to poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) filaments is much improved over materials such as polyester or polyamide, and thus the fibers are more resistant. The reason for this is mainly due to the surface condition of the fibers and the low fracture elongation of about 4% seen in conjunction with the tensile strength. With such a low elongation at break fatigue of the metal layer and thus cracking occurs much later.

Furthermore, a disadvantage of the poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) filaments, namely the decomposition under ultraviolet radiation, in particular by the metal layer, effectively prevented.

In one embodiment of the fabric, a plurality of fibers or fiber bundles are arranged so that they, not touching, are parallel to each other. Here, the fibers or fiber bundles wavy, parallel to each other can be arranged.

The fibers or fiber bundles of the plastic filaments, which are formed from poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazoO filaments, can be embroidered on a base surface or acted upon in the meshes of such a base surface it is necessary to run the return and the return conductor separately and in parallel, as it must be ensured that they do not touch during movement.

The fibers or fiber bundles can serve as electrical leads for electrical consumers integrated into clothing parts or seats.

A particularly secure guidance of the fibers or fiber bundles can be achieved by means of embroidery technology, in which the sewing threads fix the fiber bundle on the textile.

Furthermore, the fibers or fiber bundles can be designed as a heating conductor. This is possible because the coated fibers or fiber bundles can ensure a temperature stability at temperatures of up to 600 ⁰ C. The terminals and thus the high number of individual filaments can be easily connected by means of soldering, since the melting temperature, for example, when Zrnn is used for soldering, far below the decomposition temperature of the poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) filaments.

Depending on the cross section, the fibers are suitable as heat conductor, supply line or in thinner form for transmitting data. Thus, it is possible over the fibers or fiber bundles to provide both the supply of electrical consumers and an electrical data transmission to consumers.

In order to prevent short circuits, the metal-coated individual filaments can additionally be coated with an insulating lacquer layer. Suitable lacquers are those based on polyurethane or polyimide. In particular, lacquer layers of polyurethane can be removed in a hot solder bath at about 400 ⁰ C, which at the same time all filaments are connected without destroying the fibers.

Also, for isolation, the individual fibers or fiber bundles may carry an outer electrical insulation layer. Such an outer insulation layer can also be formed by a lacquer layer; preferably polyurethane is used for this purpose.

Since the low elongation of the poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) filaments is generally below the elongation of conventional textile fibers, it is advantageous to guide them wavy and parallel on or in the plane of the textile surface.

It is also possible to run the fibers or fiber bundles in a narrow, grid-like structure, so that a homogeneous, conductive surface is formed. By placing the conductive fibers in such a lattice structure, electrical and electromagnetic fields can be effectively shielded. The advantages of the coated poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) filaments are primarily a flexible shielding at high temperatures, such as occur in electrically controlled or monitored internal combustion engines.

The fibers or fiber bundles may be used to interconnect pressure sensors for seat occupancy or touch detection integrated into the seat or garments and may also serve as a connection to a main port.

It is also possible for the fibers or fiber bundles to be used to interconnect ventilating fan motors attached to the seat or a garment, and also to serve as a connection to a main terminal. Fabrics as described above may be used as an integral part of firefighting, police or military clothing.

Also, such materials can be used as a shield against electromagnetic and electric fields for high temperature applications above 200 ⁰ C.

Finally, such materials can be used as protection against fast-flying projectiles in environments exposed to ultraviolet radiation, in particular for protective vests or for vehicle armor. It has been found that a metal-coated fiber structure can effectively prevent the decomposition of the poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) filaments under UV light, such as is present in sunlight, for example, and thus the protective device is stable for a long time can hold.

Further details and features will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. In the drawing shows

FIG. 1 shows a section of a surface heating element,

FIG. 2 shows an element with fibers or fiber bundles arranged in a lattice-like structure,

FIG. 3 shows a mat-shaped heating element with a meander-shaped heating conductor,

Figure 4 is a cross-section of a single filament with plastic filaments covered by a coating, and

Figure 5 shows a cross section through a fiber bundle, which is surrounded by an insulating sheath.

In Figure 1, a surface heating element 1 is shown in the heating element 2 in the form of plastic filaments, which are made of poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) and have a metallic coating, are forfeited and form a heating surface or heating mat 3. At the two opposite edge regions of the heating mat 3 there are contact conductors 4, 5 which serve to supply and discharge current. These contact conductors 4, 5 are formed of fiber bundles, each fiber bundle composed of a plurality of fibers, each fiber of a plurality of poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) filaments, also with a metallic coating. Both the heating conductors 2 and the contact conductors 4, 5 are thus in conductive contact with each other via the metallic coating.

FIG. 2 shows a surface element 6 with fibers or fiber bundles 8 arranged in a lattice-like structure on a carrier 7, which are in electrical contact with one another via their metallic coating. This surface element can be used for example as a shielding part.

FIG. 3 shows a mat-shaped heating element 9 with a meandering heating conductor 10, which is insulated by an insulation coating.

FIG. 4 shows a single fiber 1 1 which has a core of a plurality of plastic filaments 12 which are formed from poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole). The plastic filaments 12 are each provided with a metal coating. The core or the filament bundle 12 is provided with an electrically non-conductive coating 13.

FIG. 5 shows a fiber bundle 14 which is composed of a plurality of individual fibers 15, which are surrounded by a sheath 16 made of an electrically non-conductive material, for example a lacquer layer made of polyurethane. The individual fibers 15 may be those fibers which are shown in FIG. 4, that is to say those which are provided with an insulating layer 13; but it is also possible to use the individual fibers without a coating.

Claims

claims

A fabric in the form of a knitted, woven or fleece-like garment or a seat or textile surface or a textile element having fibers or bundles of fibers integrated therein or attached thereto, or formed in whole or in part, comprising a plurality of plastics filaments, which carry on their surface a conductive coating, characterized in that the plastic filaments of poly (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) are formed with a coating of a conductive layer.

2. A fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of these fibers or fiber bundles are not touching parallel to each other.

3. A fabric according to claim 2, characterized in that the fibers or fiber bundles are wavy.

4. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fibers or fiber bundles are embroidered.

5. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fibers or fiber bundles are acted in mesh.

6. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fibers or fiber bundles serve as electrical leads for integrated in clothing parts or seats electrical consumers.

7. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fibers or fiber bundles are designed as heating conductors.

8. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that on the fibers or fiber bundles both the supply of electrical consumers and an electrical data transmission to the consumers.

9. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the individual fibers or the fiber bundles carry an electrical insulation layer.

10. A fabric according to claim 9, characterized in that the insulating layer is formed by a lacquer layer.

11. A fabric according to claim 10, characterized in that the lacquer layer is formed from polyurethane.

12. A fabric according to claim 3, characterized in that the fibers or fiber bundles are wavy and parallel to or in the plane of the substance.

13. A fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that the fibers or fiber bundles run in a narrow, lattice-like structure, so that a homogeneous, conductive surface is formed.

14. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that pressure sensors for a seat occupancy or touch detection, which are integrated in the seat or in clothing parts, are interconnected via the fibers or fiber bundles and connect them to a main terminal.

15. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that fan motors for ventilation, which are attached to the seat or a clothing part, are interconnected via the fibers or fiber bundles and connect them to a main terminal.

16. Use of substances according to one of claims 1 to 13 as an integral part of fire, police or military clothing.

17. Use of substances according to one of claims 1 to 13 as a shield against electromagnetic and electric fields for high temperature applications above 200 ⁰ C.

18. Use of substances according to one of claims 1 to 13 as protection against fast-flying projectiles in environments exposed to ultraviolet radiation, in particular for protective vests or for vehicle armor.