JPH024134A - Infrared ray radiating body - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an infrared ray radiating body with properties excellent in softness, touch, and good feeling to hand and at the same time raise the infrared ray radiation efficiency by providing an electrically heat generating section and an infrared ray radiating section using at least partly infrared ray radiating fiber which includes carbon particles. CONSTITUTION:An electrically heat generating bodies 1, for instance, electricity conductive linear bodies such as nichrome wires, etc. are arranged with an equal interval and on its lower face (on the side of human body) an infrared ray radiating section 2 and a heat insulating layer 3 on its upper face (outer face) are arranged. The infrared ray radiating section is formed at least in its part by an infrared ray radiating fiber. In many cases the electrically heat generating body is in the shape of wire or in the shape of plate and for the material of the heat generating section a metal wire, metal ribbon and film, and electricity conductive materials such as inorganic or organic fiber, unwoven cloth, film, etc. covered with metal membrane or semiconductor membrane are used. The infrared ray radiating fiber at the infrared ray radiation section uses organic polymer in which carbon particles are blended. With this arrangement infrared rays of long wave length are radiated and heat human body from inside effectively, and since a fiber is used in the infrared ray radiating section, it is rich in softness and excellent in touch and good feeling to hand.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improved planar heating elements that effectively emit infrared radiation, such as electric blankets, electric carpets, and similar heating elements.

(Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Heat generating elements having an energized heat generating section are well known, such as electric blankets and electric carpets. These planar heating elements are used to heat and keep the human body warm while sleeping, to heat the human body on it as a rug, to keep the room warm, to heat the air, etc. However, these conventional heating elements have room for improvement in terms of thermal efficiency and heating effect on the human body. That is, these heating elements are
Although the human body is heated by heat conduction and infrared radiation, it has the drawback that the infrared radiation that reaches the inside of the human body is low and the heating efficiency is low. Recently, textile products have been developed that have been coated with resin containing infrared emitting particles to increase their heat retention properties. However, the coating method has a major problem in that a film is formed on the surface of the woven or knitted material, which impairs its flexibility.

Furthermore, it is extremely difficult to coat materials with naps on the surface, such as blankets and carpets, and the flexibility, feel, and texture of the naps are severely impaired, and it can be said that this method is almost impractical.

An object of the present invention is to provide a planar heating element that is excellent in flexibility, touch, and texture, and has high infrared radiation efficiency.

(Means and effects for solving the problem) The heating element of the present invention includes an energized heat generating part (1) and an infrared ray emitting part (2) in which infrared ray emitting fiber containing carbon particles is used in at least a part thereof. It is characterized by having the following.

FIGS. 1 to 4 are sectional views showing specific examples of the heating element of the present invention. Figure 1 shows an example of an electric blanket, in which linear heating elements, such as nichrome wire or other conductive linear bodies, are arranged at predetermined intervals. )° is provided with a heat retaining layer (3). The infrared radiation part (2) comprises at least a part (preferably 2 parts) of the infrared radiation part (2).
At least 5%, particularly preferably at least 35%, most preferably from 50 to 100%) are formed from infrared emitting fibers and are usually planar or layered. The electric blanket shown in Figure 1 may be further equipped with a suitable cover, but the infrared radiation N(2)
It is best not to put too thick a cover on the outside (bottom) of the The structure shown in Figure 1 can be used as a heated rug (like a mattress or sheet) or a heated flooring material (like a carpet) by placing it on the floor with the insulation layer (3) facing down. obtain.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which a layered or planar infrared reflecting section (4) is provided to improve the efficiency of infrared radiation toward the heating side (lower surface).

FIG. 3 shows an example of a planar electric heating element (1) with an infrared ray emitting section on the upper surface and a heat-retaining layer on the lower surface, and is suitable for bed sheets, blankets, carpets, rugs, etc.

Figure 4 shows an example of a carpet to which the present invention is applied, in which a pile made of infrared emitting fibers forms an infrared emitting part (2), and a linear electrical heating element is provided on the back side of the base fabric (5). (
1) are arranged at predetermined intervals, and a heat-retaining layer (
3) is located.

The energizing heating element (1) is electrically conductive and generates heat when energized, and is preferably a linear body or a planar body in most cases. Materials for the heat generating part include copper, iron, aluminum and other metals, brass, nickel steel, chromium 1M, Nik'aL alloy, stainless steel, copper aluminum, alloys, wires, ribbons and films of other alloys, and inorganic fibers. Or conductive fibers such as organic fiber 9-knit fabrics, non-woven films, etc. with metal or semiconductor films formed by plating or vapor deposition, 1-thread woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, films, sheets, etc., and similar items. Useful. Similarly, one or more types of conductive fillers such as metal particles, semiconductor (metal compound, etc.) particles, inorganic or organic particles or short fibers having a metal or semiconductor coating, carbon Bragg, etc., are combined with thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting polymers or It is also useful to mold a conductive polymer mixed with a heat-resistant polymer into a longitudinally continuous line, film, or sheet. Similarly, linear, planar, or other composites in which a plurality of conductive wires (metal wires) are embedded in the conductive polymer layer in parallel are also useful. Similarly, conductive fibers or conductive materials formed by impregnating, applying, coating, etc. a film or conductive layer of the conductive polymer on the surface or gap of organic or inorganic fiber yarns, knitted fabrics, non-woven fabric rings, films, sheets, etc. Also useful are facets.

A major feature of the heating element of the present invention is that it has an infrared emitting part using a specific infrared emitting fiber.

5 to 12 are examples of cross-sectional views of infrared emitting fibers suitable for the present invention. The infrared emitting fiber used in the present invention is
It is a special fiber made of organic polymer (thermoplastic polymer, thermosetting polymer, heat-resistant polymer, etc.) mixed with carbon particles.

The carbon particles may be either crystalline or non-crystalline, but particles with high infrared radiation efficiency at 40 to 50°C are preferred. In the present invention, far infrared rays have a wavelength of 4.5
It refers to electromagnetic waves of ~30 μm, and the region of 4.5 to 15 μm is particularly important. Therefore, the operating temperature, e.g. 40-200
Particles such as those described above are preferable because they have a high radiation efficiency of infrared rays having a wavelength of 4.5 to 15 μm at a temperature of 4.5 μm to 15 μm. The radiation power of a black body is 10
The radiation ability of particles compared to 0 (%) is called radiation efficiency (%). In particular, it is preferable that the average infrared radiation efficiency of particles in the wavelength range of 4.5 to 15 μm is 60% or more, preferably 75% at a temperature (for example, 40 to 50°C) that does not cause discomfort or burns even when in contact with the human body for a long time. The ratio is more preferably 85% or more, and most preferably 85% or more.

For example, the soot produced when rapeseed oil used in ink is burned has an infrared radiation efficiency of 97% and is extremely useful. Other useful materials include graphite used in pencils and carbon black used in conductive and spun-dyed fibers.

The particle size of the carbon particles is preferably relatively large (diameter 50 to 5
In the case of fibers (00 μm), it is possible to use fibers with a particle size of about 5 to 50 μm, but fine fibers (less than 50 μm in diameter, especially 30 μm in diameter) can be used.
μm or less) Particle size is 0.1 to 5 for normal clothing fibers, etc.
A thickness of about .mu.m, particularly about 0.1 to 1 .mu.m is suitable.

The infrared emitting fiber used in the present invention has carbon particles incorporated therein. The inside means the surface layer (the surface and its vicinity)
Figure 5 refers to the inner side of the layer, with a polymer (infrared emitting layer (6)) containing a large amount of infrared emitting particles as the core,
A polymer (protective layer) that does not contain the particles is coated with an outer shell (sheath) (7
) is an example of a core-sheath composite fiber. Infrared radiation layer (6)
The larger the mixing ratio of carbon particles, the greater the infrared radiation effect, but on the other hand, the larger the mixing ratio, the lower the fluidity, spinning and drawing properties, making production difficult, and further reducing the strength.

The mixing ratio (weight) of carbon particles in the infrared emitting layer is preferably in the range of 5 to 90% from a practical standpoint, and 10 to 80%.
is particularly preferred, 15 to 80% is most preferred, and 18 to 80% is most preferred.
60% is most commonly used.

The outer skin (sheath) (7) protects the infrared emitting layer and increases its strength, and facilitates the production and processing of fibers, woven and knitted fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, napped products, etc. In other words, if a large amount of carbon particles are exposed on the fiber surface,
Spinnerets in spinning, drawing, knitting, non-woven fabrics, napping and other manufacturing and processing processes.

Friction and damage to guides, traverse guides, travelers, needles, belts, and other objects that come into contact with fibers,
It becomes extremely difficult or impossible to manufacture non-woven fabrics, raised products, raised products, etc.

Figure 6 shows that a large amount of carbon particles are blended into the core (6),
This is an example in which a small amount of white infrared emitting particles is added to the outer skin part (7) to the extent that it does not interfere with the production and processing of the fiber.

In this case, the infrared radiation efficiency of the entire fiber is improved. For this purpose, the infrared emitting particle mixing ratio (
It is necessary that the carbon particle mixing ratio (weight) is lower than the carbon particle mixing ratio of the core (6), and is usually 10% or less, often 1 to 8%, and most often 2 to 6%. Furthermore, by adding white particles to the outer skin, it is possible to increase the brightness of the fibers, which were black due to the carbon particles.

Figure 7 shows a core (6) that is an infrared radiation layer, an outer skin (7) that is a protective layer, and a hollow part (8) in the innermost part to improve lightness, heat retention, and bending hardness. This is an example.

It is also possible to use a regular polymer instead of the hollow part,
In that case, the innermost layer (inner core) becomes a protective layer and increases the strength of the fiber, which is preferable. In other words, as shown in Figure 7, the outermost layer (sheath) is a protective layer, the middle layer is an infrared emitting layer, and the innermost layer is A protective layer or a hollow fiber is one of the most preferred examples for the purposes of the present invention.

Figure 8 is an example of a multicore composite with three infrared radiation layers, Figure 9 is an example of a non-circular cross section, Figure 10 is an example of a flat multicore infrared radiation layer, and Figure 11 is a hollow multicore. FIG. 12 is an example of a non-circular multicore. Figures 6, 8, and 9 are examples in which a small amount of white infrared emitting particles are mixed into the outer shell, but this may be replaced with an outer shell that does not contain these particles, and the outer shells in other figures may be replaced. It is also possible to include a small amount of the particles.

Here, the white far-infrared emitting particles are one or two inorganic compounds selected from the group of alumina, mullite, and magnesia-based ceramic particles.

Ceramics generally have a far-infrared radiation efficiency of 60% or more, and it goes without saying that ceramics having a far-infrared radiation efficiency of 75% or more are particularly preferred.

In the fibers shown in FIGS. 5 to 12, carbon particles are blended into the entire or part of the interior excluding the surface layer. In such composite fibers, as the composite ratio of the infrared radiation N (core) (6) increases, the infrared radiation ability increases, but the strength tends to decrease. For this reason, the composite ratio is often 10 to 90% (
area ratio), particularly preferably 20 to 80%, and 30%
~70% is most preferred; similarly, the higher the carbon particle content of the infrared emitting fiber, the greater the infrared radiation efficiency but the lower the strength, so in many cases its content (by weight) is between 3 and 80%, especially 5-60% is preferable, 8-40%
% is most preferably 0. For example, the content of infrared emitting particles in a fiber composited at a composite area ratio of 50% (L/1) using a core mixed with 30% by weight of carbon particles is about 15% by weight.

The polymer forming the infrared emitting fiber may be appropriately selected from thermoplastic, thermosetting, heat-resistant polymers, and the like. The polymers forming the infrared emitting layer (6) and the protective layer (7) may be the same or different. Examples of polymers forming infrared emitting fibers include polyolefin, polyvinyl, polyacrylic, polyamide, and polyester5.
Polyurethane.

Thermoplastic polymers such as polyether are preferred in terms of moldability (including spinnability). Furthermore, from the viewpoint of heat resistance, thermosetting resins such as epoxy resins and unsaturated polyesters, phosphor resins, fluororesins, 5 aromatic polyamides, 5 fully aromatic polyesters, aromatic polyethers, aromatic polysulfones,
Heat-resistant polymers such as aromatic polysulfide, polyimide, polyamideimide, etc. are suitable.

More preferred polymers include those with low infrared absorption at wavelengths of 4 to 30 μm and high transparency. Polyethylene is the most excellent polymer with high infrared transmittance. Low-density polyethylene has a softening point of 105°C, and high-density polyethylene has a melting point of 128°C, and although it is somewhat inferior in terms of heat resistance and its use temperature is limited, it can be fully used for heating the human body. Furthermore, polyethylene crosslinked by radiation irradiation or the like has excellent heat resistance (softening point of 200° C. or higher) and is optimal for the purpose of the present invention. Next to polyethylene, polymers with the lowest absorption of far infrared rays include polytetrafluoroethylene, butyl rubber, nylon 12, and nylon 11. Nylon 610. There is a copolymer of nylon 612 and polyethylene. Further examples include polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylic acid ester, nylon 6, nylon 66, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and the like.

The infrared radiator of the present invention has a heat retaining part (3
), an infrared reflector (4), and accessories such as decorations, a temperature control device, a safety device, and others can be added as necessary. As the heat retaining part, fibers, ultrafine fibers, hollow fibers, etc. of cotton, non-woven two-knit fabrics, etc. are often used, and foam 5 foam sheets are also useful. Aluminum is used as the infrared reflecting part.
Foil of silver, nickel, chromium and other metals, F41 membrane, film plated or vapor-deposited with metal 5-knit fabric, non-woven fabric, cotton made of fiber plated or vapor-deposited with metal, non-woven fabric W 4
41 items are useful.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be summarized and described.

(a) The infrared radiator according to claim 1, wherein the carbon particles have an average infrared radiation efficiency of 85% or more at 50° C. in a wavelength range of 4.5 to 15 μm.

(b) The infrared radiator according to claim 1, wherein 30% or more of the fibers forming the infrared ray emitting portion (2) are infrared radiating fibers.

(c) The infrared ray emitter according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the infrared ray emitter during use is 30 to 200°C.

(iv) The infrared ray emitter according to claim 1, wherein the infrared ray radiating fiber is a core-sheath composite fiber comprising a core made of a polymer containing carbon particles and a sheath made of a polymer not containing the particles.

(e) The infrared ray emitter according to claim 1, wherein the infrared ray emitter is a core-sheath composite fiber comprising a sheath made of a polymer containing a small amount of white infrared ray particles and a core containing carbon particles.

(f) Infrared radiation according to claim (e), wherein the white infrared radiation particles are made of one or more inorganic compounds selected from the group of alumina, mulaina, zirconia, and magnesia with a purity of 95% or more. body.

(g) The infrared radiator according to claim 1, which has a heat insulating layer (3) on the opposite side of the infrared ray radiating part.

(h) The infrared radiator according to claim 1, which has an infrared reflecting part (4) on the opposite side of the infrared radiating part.

(Effects of the Invention) The infrared radiator of the present invention can be used not only for fur sheets, rugs, and carpets, but also for sheets such as electric cushions and chairs.

It is applied to the purpose of heating close to the human body, such as slippers, pants, vests, and jackets, emitting infrared rays with long wavelengths, effectively heating the human body from the inside, promoting blood circulation, and improving health and treatment. Can be used for tools.

In particular, since fibers are used as the infrared ray emitting part, it is highly flexible and has an excellent feel and feel, and has the great advantage of being able to comfortably irradiate infrared rays by being in close contact with the body.

The infrared radiator of the present invention is suitable for heating the human body as described above, but it can also be used for carpets, flooring, and wall materials.

It can also be used in the industrial field, such as being used as a ceiling material to heat the entire room, heating greenhouses, animals and plants, heating industrial rooms, objects, and air, and being used in gas transport ducts to heat gas. It can be widely applied. It is particularly suitable for mild (relatively low temperature) heating of objects that contain moisture or that have good infrared absorption properties.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to Examples.

The core is made of nylon 6 containing 20% by weight of carbon black with an average particle size of 0.1 μm and a far infrared radiation efficiency of 92%, and contains 1% by weight of alumina particles with an average particle size of 066 μm and a far infrared radiation efficiency of 76%. Made of polyethylene as a sheath,
A short fiber with a length of 3d and 65 mm was obtained by melt-spinning a composite composite into a core-sheath type similar to that shown in Figure 5 at a composite ratio (cross-sectional area ratio) of 1:1, stretching, and processing it by winding 1 il (pushing method). Let be the staple SI.

Make spun yarn (28 count/double yarn) from staple S,
It was made into a plain weave, raised with a needle cloth, and shirred to obtain blanket B.

Blanket B2 was obtained in the same manner using staples made of nylon 6.

A nichrome wire covered with a glass fiber fabric was used as a current-carrying heating element, and was installed between blanket B+ and 82 in a meandering manner at locm intervals, and was sewn together to obtain electric blanket B3.

For comparison, B4 is an electric blanket in which two blankets B2 are used and an energized heating section is provided between them.

A sheet was placed on top of the futon, a polyethylene bag filled with saline and tofu was placed on top of it, and an electric blanket and futon were placed on top of it.The temperature of the electric blanket was controlled to 50℃. The internal temperature of the polyethylene bag was measured 15 minutes after the start of energization.

Electric blanket B with blanket B+ on the bottom and Bt on the top,
When using the electric blanket B, the inner bath of the polyethylene bag is 35℃, with the blanket Bt on the lower side and B1 on the upper side.
The internal temperature of the polyethylene bag was 30°C. Similarly, when electric blanket B4 was used, the internal temperature of the polyethylene bag was 29°C. When electric blanket B of the present invention arranges the infrared radiation part on the heating side (lower side), when the arrangement is reversed, or when electric blanket B4 does not have an infrared radiation part
It can be seen that the internal heating effect of objects containing water is higher. The electric blanket B of the present invention has a superior feel and texture, no different from the ordinary electric blanket B4, and is also excellent in flexibility.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 are cross-sectional views showing specific examples of the infrared radiator of the present invention. 5 to 12 are specific examples of cross sections of core-sheath composite fibers suitable for the infrared radiator of the present invention. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Fig. 12 = 23

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An infrared radiator characterized by having an energizing heating element (1) and an infrared ray emitting portion (2) in which at least a portion thereof includes an infrared ray emitting fiber containing carbon particles.