Establishment of a new design method for a spacer fabric with cushion properties

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K14032
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 08030:Family and consumer sciences, and culture and living-related
• Research Institution: Shinshu University
• Principal Investigator: ZHU CHUNHONG 信州大学, 学術研究院繊維学系, 准教授 (80773100)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 三次元テキスタイル / 中空ハニカム構造 / クッション性 / 圧縮特性 / 複合材料

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Fractures caused by falls in the elderly can lead to bedridden, impaired cardiopulmonary function, and even death. Therefore, it is important to develop a fabric with cushioning properties in order to reduce the impact when falling. In previous research, we developed a design method for fabrics with a three-dimensional circular cross-section structure, but resin richness occurs in the structure, and it is thought that a better structural design is necessary.
Therefore, in this study, we proposed a design method for three-dimensional honeycomb cross-sectional structure fabrics that can be woven even with a general-purpose Jacquard loom. Focusing on the honeycomb structure, several types of samples were woven using parameters such as cell size, cell thickness as well as thread fineness, and after being composited and molded with resin, the compression characteristics were evaluated, and the effects of each parameter were clarified.

Free Research Field

テキスタイル工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は高齢者等転倒時の衝撃を軽減するため、クッション性を持った生地の開発に関する研究である。現有のジャカード織機を用いて、断面がハニカム形状で、異なるセルサイズの三次元テキスタイルを設計、製織した。さらに、これらのテキスタイルを用いて、ポリウレタン樹脂と複合して複合材料を作製した。クッション保護性を評価するため、圧縮試験を行ない、セルサイズや厚みなどがクッション性に及ぼす影響を明らかにした。
本研究で提案したテキスタイルを着用すれば、高齢者等の転倒による衝撃を軽減することが考えられる。