WO2008083507A2

WO2008083507A2 - Textile structure comprising optically effective elements

Info

Publication number: WO2008083507A2
Application number: PCT/CH2008/000009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerhard Staufert
Original assignee: Gerhard Staufert
Priority date: 2007-01-11
Filing date: 2008-01-09
Publication date: 2008-07-17
Also published as: WO2008083507A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a textile structure (30) comprising a continuous support (31) which is made of a spacing fabric and to which at least one optional optically passive element (32) or a plurality of optional optically passive elements (32) are applied. An optional secondary support (34), e.g. a textile one, is attached to the bottom side of the support (31) made of spacing fabric. Said secondary support (34) supports, for example, at least one optically active element (33a) which is designed in the form of an LED, for example, and is electrically contacted by means of litz wires that are woven into the textile secondary support (34), for example. The invention also relates to other textile structures which are made using spacing fabrics and are used as a textile keypad or a textile light source, for example.

Description

TEXTILE CONSTRUCTION

The invention relates to textile structures with internal volume and additional active and / or passive optically active elements and / or sensory elements.

In applications such as indoor and exhibition architecture, exhibition construction, the construction of set design and event environments and in vehicle construction but also in areas such as the production of clothing, accessories and jewelry items, the present invention, structures of textile character and with integrated optical effects available. Such structures are in the sense of textile room dividers, as soft-touch wall coverings, falling in loose tracks headliners, applications on garments or accessories and the like applicable. They are also in the sense of jewelry, such as bracelets, necklaces, belts or as plaques and brooches and the like applicable. Further, they are also applicable, for example, in the sense of limp lighting elements. Additional, for example, active and / or passive optically active elements and or sensory elements are integrated so that a variety of optical and / or sensory effects can be achieved, the textile character of the overall structure is obtained.

So that the textile character of such a structure is optimally preserved, it is advantageous if the, usually hard and rigid additional elements at least partially disappear in an inner volume of the textile structure, so that at best only a textile surface is noticeable, if, for example, by hand on the corresponding textile structure is deleted.

Achievement of the present invention is the ertsmalige provide making textile structures provides, which one, a certain inner

Having volume, textile carrier have on which - at least partially or completely in its inner volume protruding - active and / or passive optically active elements and / or sensory elements and / or actuators, i.

Movement triggering elements are applied so that they are mechanically secured securely and, if necessary, supplied with electrical current.

According to the invention, a spacer textile with a defined internal volume is used as the carrier of passively and / or actively optically active elements and / or sensory elements and / or actuators.

This is a hitherto unknown and not obvious application of spacer textiles.

Spacer textiles are textile structures produced by textile processes such as, for example, knitting and weaving. As a rule - and for cost reasons preferably - they are made by means of textile knitting and are then under the name

Spacer knit known.

But they can also be prepared in the sense of the present invention, by a voluminous textile material - such as a soft, thick felt - means Process such as punching or laser cutting is provided with desired perforations.

The following considerations are limited to spacer fabrics. It should be noted, however, that fall within the meaning of the present invention under this term also produced by other methods spacer textiles.

Textile spacer fabrics consist of any textile threads. They are airy structures with some 0.1 up to, for example, 60 millimeters thick. Two textile cover layers are resiliently interconnected by textile spacer threads. If they are compressed in the direction of their thickness by an externally acting pressure, they spring back completely after removal of this pressure, and this essentially without fatigue phenomena occurring. They have one, at least one thread thickness thick, lower cover layer over which a high spacer layer follows with substantially loop-like intertwined threads, which at defined intervals in the broad sense may have cylindrical inner cavities. The threads of this spacer layer are connected to a, at least one thread thickness thick, upper cover layer. The upper and / or the lower cover layer may be designed continuous like a sheet. However, both outer layers can also have openings in the region of any inner cavities of the spacer layer that may be present.

The said additional elements can be applied to the textile spacer knitted fabric in such a way that all their active surfaces are at least partially exposed to air such that their optical and / or sensory effect is only insignificantly limited. In particular, it is also possible to let the optical and / or sensory effect of an element through the thickness of the inner volume of the textile support act through. It is possible, at least two such, as a rule To position different elements in the direction of the thickness of the textile carrier in a row so that the axes of action of these elements substantially coincide and complement the effects of the two elements.

The mentioned are free in the air of the lower parts of an attached to the spacer fabric element is necessary, for example, if the element is a gem, the effect depends, for example, that at the lower parts of the jewelry object total reflection of the penetrating from the top Ambient light takes place. For the purposes of the present invention, such free air is satisfied when significant portions of the respective areas, i. For example, at least 50% of these surfaces of the jewelry object are exposed.

An inventive textile structure is, for example, a large area, i. For example, many square meters in size, for example, as a roll, produced and can also be used over a large area. But it is also in the sense of a so-called "batch process" produced over a large area and then in small, so for example only one square centimeter or even smaller and of course any size separable, each separable by itself sections. Of course, a textile structure according to the invention is also small-scale, that is, for example, directly produced in the form of a piece of jewelry or an application.

It is also possible that the additional active and / or passive optically effective

Elements and / or sensory elements, at least partially, are applied to at least one further, generally as thin as possible secondary carrier, which then together with the corresponding elements as a whole at least applied zone by zone to the carrier used according to the invention, having a certain internal volume.

By the inventive approach the textile character of the entire structure is obtained. Textile character in the sense of the present invention is present when the structure is collapsible and / or at least partially gatherable, at least in the sense of a heavy room divider. Preferably, the structure is limp, i. bendable without substantial resistance with the smallest bending radii in all directions as well as very often and if desired multilayer foldable and / or twistable.

Passively optically active elements according to the invention are, for example, lenses, prisms, mirrors, gemstones, arbitrary ornamental objects, shimmering textile planar or linear elements, foil-like elements which are wholly or partly metallised (for example reflecting) and the like. Preferably, the passively optically active elements are either at least partially transparent and refractive or such that incident light is radiated by means of at least partial reflection in a defined direction or both.

In particular, jewelry objects within the meaning of the invention and in non-exhaustive list all suitable in the large, objects such as gems of all kinds - especially gemstones on glass, crystal or plastic base, such as those available from the company Swarowski available - And items such as glass or plastic balls, glass or plastic plates with or without holes, metal, glass or plastic items such as, possibly filled with glass or plastic, hollow cylinders or cylinders or cylinders or cones with structured extent such as with star-like cross-section and the like. inventive But jewelry objects can also be things such as embroidered with applications or pasted, possibly provided with ornaments, textile surfaces as a whole in or on an inventive piece of jewelry on or applied. The applications may, for example, at least partially, jewelry threads, such as gold or silver threads exist. You can also include objects such as gemstones, sequins and the like. Furthermore, they can directly contain small light sources, which are electrically contacted, for example, with electrically conductive applied threads.

Active optically active elements according to the invention are, for example, light sources such as, for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), electroluminescent surfaces or filaments and the like.

However, for example, active optically active elements according to the invention may also be actuators, i. Be movement-triggering elements, which put a passive optical element, such as a mirror, a gem or a dazzling textile surface in motion, that the appearance of a novel textile dynamic or quasi static changes.

Sensory elements according to the invention are, for example, elements such as temperature sensors, sensors for measuring electromagnetic field quantities, optical sensors of all types, acceleration or movement sensors, tactile sensors and the like. But it may also be switching elements such as two opposing surfaces which conduct an electrical current once they are compressed or change an electrical charge as they approach each other. The inventive choice of a previously not used for such purposes carrier material and at a first not obvious use of the same, provides in an amazingly simple way an approach to realize the advantages mentioned above without much effort.

The cover layers of the spacer textile used according to the invention can be made of a different material than the spacer threads. In particular, for example, at least one of the cover layers - at least partially - for example, jewelry threads, such as copper, gold, silver or Lurexfäden or the like exist. But at least one of the cover layers can also - at least partially - for example, consist of Schmelzklebefäden.

Furthermore, it is possible to construct the spacer knitted fabric with threads which can be coated at a later time, for example with a thin layer of metal. Corresponding coating methods are, for example, vapor deposition, sputtering or similar vacuum coating methods as well as methods such as, for example, chemical or galvanic coating. Such a coating may be such that the entire knit, including the spacer threads, is coated. But it can also be carried out so that only certain portions, such as ornamental zones on the upper surface layer, are coated.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide at least one of the cover layers with an adhesive layer, which consists for example of a permanently adhesive thin adhesive film, such as available from 3M, 60 microns or 120 microns thick adhesive film 200MP, or from a hot melt adhesive. Such an adhesive layer may, if desired, additionally with a layer of small, ie a diameter of fractions of a micron to a few microns having coated particles such as metal particles and / or glass particles and / or dye particles and the like.

In the following, it is assumed by way of non-limiting example that the spacer layer of a spacer knit used as a carrier has internal cavities and that at least one of the cover layers in the region of these internal cavities is open.

In this example trap, arbitrary elements corresponding to the diameter of said cavities can be applied to the upper cover layer in such a way that they only come into contact with the carrier along a band-like, essentially annular zone and can be securely fastened there, for example by gluing. All surfaces of the corresponding element outside this band-like zone, thus in particular any protruding into the interior of the spacer knitted fabric or oriented toward the spacer knit surfaces are exposed to air.

The arrangement of additional elements above the cavities of the spacer fabric used as a carrier material apparently limits the arrangement freedom of the elements substantially. This seems all the more so as - as well known to the textile expert - the cavities within distance warp Although two-dimensionally arranged at regular intervals, but - enforced by the known manufacturing processes - always run diagonally. Therefore, it seems, first of all, as if, for example, the arrangement of additional elements in the sense of a rectangular matrix, or arrangements derived therefrom, that is desirable in many cases, is impossible. However, this apparent limitation can be handled with astonishing ease. First, the distance and the diameter of the cavities can be adjusted manufacturing technology in a wide range. Secondly, the diagonals of the cavities are such that when additional elements are arranged above - viewed in the diagonal direction - every other cavity results in a rectangular matrix of additional elements.

This means that with a suitable choice of the distance and the diameter of the cavities almost any rectangular grid size starting at the grid spacing of, for example, 1 millimeter and less to the grid spacing of, for example, 10 millimeters and more is feasible and that on this grid, with largely free Air lying surfaces, additional elements with the maximum diameter of the grid spacing, for example, are applied tightly sealed.

If the additional elements mentioned are of substantially circular shape, for example, the effect which may be desired results that ambient light or electromagnetic or thermal radiation of any kind exists in the interstices which necessarily exist between the additional elements arranged, for example, close together

Cavities of the spacer knitted fabric can penetrate and for any existing there sensors can be detected without hindrance or at any existing, placed in the region of the inner cavities of the spacer knitted passive optical elements

Can trigger lighting effects.

Additional elements with, for example, a flat underside may be applied to the upper cover layer of the spacer knitted fabric in such a way that, although they are located centrally above a cavity, they project beyond it and at least protrude beyond it Edge zone of the cavity are mounted on the upper cover layer. This means that the lower side of the additional elements, at least partially has a larger diameter than the cavities of the Abstandsgewirkes, which can be easily realized by appropriate choice of the distance and diameter of the cavities.

Of course, it is possible to attach additional elements having a, at least nearly, flat underside and a diameter which is a multiple of the repeat distance of the internal cavities of the spacer fabric, to the top cover layer of the spacer fabric.

Additional elements with, for example, a cylindrical-spherical or conical-shaped lower part, which are applied centrally to a cavity penetrate so far into the cavity of the spacer fabric until a circumferential line with a corresponding diameter rests on the upper circumferential line of the cylindrical cavity of the spacer fabric, where they are then fastened along this line.

The repeatedly addressed attaching the additional elements can be accomplished, for example by means of a weld. For this purpose, a resting on the upper cover layer additional element, at most only locally and possibly under slight contact pressure, so far heated until the material of the cover layer begins to melt at the support points. This is followed by a quick cooling. Methods for, if necessary, local heating of the additional element are, for example, a direct heat input by means of a, possibly claw-like, thermodes, heating by means of ultrasound by means of a possibly claw-like sonotrode, heating by means of laser or heating by means of induction. Another, perhaps simpler method of attachment is the gluing. This can be achieved, for example, by previously applying a suitable adhesive, that is to say, for example, a cyanoacrylate which has as little flow as possible, a UV or thermosetting transparent adhesive, a hot glue layer, a permanently tacky transfer adhesive film or any other suitable adhesive.

An attachment can also be realized by the additional element is coated at least at the appropriate places, for example with hot glue and applied in a hot state to the spacer.

Bonding can be implemented particularly advantageously by making the top covering layer of the spacer knitwork - at least partially - made of hot-melt adhesive threads and making the additional elements just as hot during application that the hotmelt threads briefly melt and hold the additional element.

It is obvious that by means of a spacer fabric with internal cavities and a first layer of above these inner cavities disposed of at least one or more additional elements also possible below this first layer of additional elements at least at one point a second layer of at least one or a plurality of additional elements to be arranged, wherein the axes of action of the additional elements of the first and the second layer at least at one point may substantially coincide.

For this purpose, the lower cover layer of the spacer knitted fabric used as the carrier at the corresponding locations either from the outset be open or later, for example by means of a hot tip or by laser cutting or and at least one additional element of the second layer may be secured approximately centrally to the inner cavity.

With sufficient thickness of the spacer fabric used as a carrier, it is possible, if desired, to accommodate both layers of additional elements at least approximately completely in the interior of the spacer fabric.

Such an arrangement is useful, for example, if the mode of action of an active additional element, for example a light source in the form of an LED, is to be combined with the effect of a passive additional element, for example an optical lens, a mirror, a gem or the like ,

It is clear that in the presence of actively optically active, of sensory elements or of actuators, the supply of operating energy, usually in the form of electric current, must be ensured.

For this purpose, the actively optically active, sensory elements or actuators, for example, be applied to a corresponding secondary carrier, for example in the form of a so-called flexible electronic print, which is then connected to the spacer knitted fabric. This bonding takes place, for example, by means of local bonding, welding or sewing.

A flexible electronics print is flexible in the direction perpendicular to its surface and therefore is very easy to uniaxially bend, but is rigid in its lateral directions, ie not at all compared to the spacer fabric stretchable. This means that when bending the addressed composite, the neutral bend line runs inside the flexible electronics print and the spacer fabric is stretched. This in turn means that the composite springs back and therefore does not feel limp and therefore in many cases no longer textile-like.

It is therefore advantageous if, instead of a flexible electronic print, other "softer" secondary supports are used for additional active elements. Particularly suitable for this purpose are those which can also be produced very inexpensively as a mass-produced product, in the Swiss patent applications "textile LED tape" (CH patent application No. 1135/06), "Leitertextil" (CH patent application No. 1865/06) and "Faden" ( CH Patent Application No. 2122/06).

It is also conceivable, however, to use a fabric with a number of electrically conductive threads defined in defined intervals in the direction of the warp and / or weaving weft as a secondary support.

Of course, it is also possible to use again differently structured secondary carrier.

Since both the spacers used as carriers according to the invention, as well as the just enumerated structures of secondary carriers can be produced over a large area or for a very long time, there is also the possibility of large-scale producibility of the entire inventive textile structure. In the following, textile structures according to the invention with additional active and / or passive optically active elements and / or sensory elements will be explained with reference to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective sectional sketch of the principle of a textile structure according to the invention with passively optically active elements.

Figure 2 shows a perspective sectional sketch of the principle of a novel textile construction with active optically active elements and sensory elements.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective sectional sketch of the principle of a textile structure according to the invention with actively and passively optically active elements and sensory elements.

FIG. 31 shows a perspective sectional sketch of the principle of a textile structure according to the invention with LEDs as active and with gemstones as passively optically active elements.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective sectional sketch of the principle of a second textile construction according to the invention with actively and with passively optically active elements and sensory elements.

Figure 5 shows a perspective sectional sketch of the principle of a novel textile construction with sensory elements which trigger an electrical signal when touched. Figure 6 shows a perspective sectional sketch of the principle of a textile construction on to the emission of light, ie a textile light source.

1 shows the schematic diagram of a textile structure 10 according to the invention, which has a spacer fabric 11 as a textile carrier. The spacer knit 11 has internal cavities Hd, which are surrounded by the spacer layer IIb. The lower cover layer 11c of the spacer fabric 11 is, for example, closed throughout, while the upper cover layer IIa is open in the zones of the inner hollow spaces Hd.

The thickness of the spacer knit 11 is for example 1 to 10 mm. If necessary, however, it is also possible to select thicknesses of, for example, 50 mm or more. The center distance of the cavities Hd with each other, for example, 2 to 20 mm and the diameter of a cavity Hd is for example a quarter to four-fifths of this distance.

On the lower cover layer 1c of the spacer fabric 11, an additional textile fabric made of tension-resistant threads such as glass fibers, aramid fibers or the like may be fastened for reinforcement, not shown in FIG. Such reinforcement may be useful if the textile structure 10, for example, carries a plurality of relatively heavy additional elements 12 and is used for example in the sense of a freely suspended room divider.

Above at least one of the cavities Hd of the spacer fabric 11, passively optically active elements 12 are fastened which protrude partially or completely into the cavities Hd. In this way, the additional elements 12 along a band-like zone on the edge of the cavities Hd and are held there securely, for example by means of a bond.

The mentioned bonding takes place for example by applying a suitable adhesive, such as a hot glue, a cyanolite or the like on one or both of the adhesive partners and placing the optically active elements 12. But it can also take place so that the optically active elements 12 are previously coated, at least at the appropriate locations, for example with a suitable hot glue. It may also be advantageous if the upper cover layer IIa of the spacer knitted fabric 11, at least partially in the edge zones of its openings, is made of melt-bonded threads.

However, the bonding can also be made by first of all over the entire surface of the upper cover layer IIa a permanently tacky, preferably transparent adhesive film is applied, in which then the passively optically active elements 12 are pressed. If such an adhesive film is realized, for example, by means of a so-called transfer-type film, as offered, for example, by 3M under the name 200MP, this film yields when a passively optically active element 12 is pushed in and adapts to the surface of the passively optically active element 12 almost completely, whereby an excellent grip between passive optically active element 12 and upper cover layer IIa is guaranteed. There are cases where such an adhesive film attached to the passive optically active element 12 disturbs its optical properties. In these cases, the adhesive film may be opened prior to pressing the passively optically active elements 12 in the regions of the inner cavities Hd of the spacer knit 11, for example by means of a hot tip. The mass of the penetration into the cavities Hd obviously results from the ratio of the diameter of the additional element 12 to that of a cavity Hd. If this ratio is high, the additional element 12 protrudes only slightly into the cavity Hd, it is small For example, in the extreme case, the additional element 12 may completely disappear inside the cavity. In general, it makes sense to choose the diameter of the additional element 12 so that it corresponds to at least the diameter of a cavity Hd and at most the center distance of the cavities Hd with each other. In Spezialf all the diameter of an additional element 12 but also be a multiple of the center distance of the cavities 1 Id.

In Figure 1, the passively optically active elements 12 are shown as spherical structures, so for example as glass, plastic or metal balls, which may be transparent or partially transparent or opaque and thus at least partially light refractive and / or light reflective. However, the passively optically active elements 12 can also have any other shape, such as, for example, a lens shape and / or a disc shape and / or a gemstone shape and so on, and corresponding optical properties.

The arrangement of the passively optically active elements 12 in Figure 1 is chosen so that there is a regular rectangular matrix in which the individual passively optically active elements 12 approximately contact each other. Of course, completely different arrangement patterns and a much lower density of passively optically active elements 12 can be realized. 2 shows the schematic diagram of a textile structure 20 according to the invention, which has a spacer fabric 21 as a textile carrier. The spacer fabric 21 has internal cavities 21d. Both the upper cover layer 21a and the lower non-visible cover layer of the spacer fabric 21 are opened in the zones of the inner cavities 21d.

The thickness of the spacer fabric 21 is for example 1 to 10 mm. If necessary, however, thicknesses up to 50 mm can also be selected. The center distance of the cavities 21d with each other, for example, 2 to 20 mm and the diameter of a cavity 21d is for example a quarter to four-fifths of this distance.

On the, in the region of the inner cavities 21d opened, lower cover layer of the spacer fabric 21, an additional planar secondary support 24 is attached. This secondary carrier 24 may be, for example, a rigid or flexible circuit board. But it can also be a plate-like structure made of plastic or wood or, preferably insulated, metal or stone or the like. It can also be a plastic or metal foil. Preferably, however, the secondary carrier 24 is a textile structure such as, for example, a woven or knitted or knitted fabric or the like. Particularly preferably, the secondary carrier 24 is a lightweight filter-like fabric made of a tensile material.

The secondary carrier 24 does not necessarily have to be flat. He may also be band-like or thread-like, in which case each may also be more band or thread-like secondary carrier may be present. In special cases, it is also possible to completely dispense with the additional secondary carrier 24. In these cases, the electrical conductor tracks 25a, 25b described below, for example in the form of strands, are, for example, initially connected directly to the actively optically active elements 23a or the sensor elements 23b and then attached subsequently to the spacer fabric 21.

The secondary carrier 24 is provided with electrical conductor tracks 25a, 25b, which are responsible for the transport of electrical energy and / or electrical information. If the secondary carrier 24 is a rigid or flexible printed circuit board, then the printed conductors 25a, 25b are copper-coated, coated or uncoated, with the methods of printed circuit board production. If the secondary carrier 24 is a plate-like or foil-like structure made of any desired material, the printed conductors 25a, 25b are for example laid and bonded strips, wires or strands of a material with good electrical conductivity, such as silver, copper or aluminum. If the secondary carrier 24 is a woven fabric, then the conductor tracks 25a, 25b are preferably electrically conductive threads or wires or strands which, for example, are directly woven or applied with textile methods such as embroidering or even laid and glued. But it may also be strip-like conductor tracks 25a, 25b, which are applied to a textile secondary support 24, for example by means of gluing.

In the example of FIG. 2, the printed conductors 25a, 25b run parallel to one another. But they can also be isolated at any angle, isolated from one another, and crossing each other. In particular, they can also have an at least approximately rectangular matrix-like arrangement which allows the elements 23a, 23b contacted by the printed conductors 25a, 25b to be controlled individually or in groups as desired. In the example of FIG. 2, a multiplicity of actively optically active elements 23 a, for example in the form of light-emitting elements, such as LEDs, are connected to the printed conductors 25 a, 25 b so that they come to lie within the cavities 21 d of the spacer fabric 21. In the same way, sensory elements 23b may be present.

If the optically active elements 23a are, for example, LEDs, LEDs of different designs can be used. The term LED in this sense includes all types of light-emitting diodes. In particular, it includes all types of SMD LED, LED semiconductor chip (LED chip), as well as so-called OLED. In particular, LEDs are included that can emit several different colors of light.

FIG. 2 shows, for example, SMD LED 23a in the design "0603" known to the person skilled in the art up to the design "PLCC", which is produced on a, for example, the Swiss patent application "Leitertextil" (Swiss Patent Application No. 1865/06) , Secondary support 24 are fixed and electrically contacted with the in the conductor fabric 24 embroidered strands 25a, 25b. However, it may also be other types of LED and a secondary carrier 24 produced by other methods.

The light sources 23a are arranged, for example, such that a light source 23a projects into and transilluminates each, every second, every third or every nth cavity 21d along a certain line.

If a strict local illumination of a particular cavity is desired, this is almost guaranteed by the choice of a light-absorbing, so For example, black or matt-gray spacer fabric 21. If additionally a high light output is desired, this is ensured by the use of an additional, on its inside light-reflecting hollow cylinder 28, which has an outer diameter corresponding to the cavity 21d. To further improve the luminous efficacy, the inner surface of the hollow cylinder may, for example, have a conical or paraboloidal shape.

Instead of using a flat secondary carrier 24, it is also possible to use a band-like structure which is produced, for example, in accordance with the Swiss patent application "Textiles LED-Band" (Swiss Patent Application No. 1135/06) and the light-emitting elements 23a with those woven into the textile band Strands 25a, 25b electrically contacted. The said textile LED tape is, for example, 3 to 6 millimeters wide. But it can also be much wider.

With a broader design of the textile LED strip with many strand pairs 25a, 25b arranged in parallel, it is also possible that many, up to all, lines of cavities 21d are provided with light sources 23a projecting into them.

A textile secondary carrier tape 24 may also be folded locally so that it does not run along a straight line but along any polygon.

However, it is also possible, instead of a flat textile secondary carrier 24, to use as the carrier of the light sources 23a a thread-like structure with integrated LED constructed according to the Swiss patent applications "Faden" (Swiss Patent Application No. 2122/06). Such a thread-like structure is characterized by the fact that it is completely pliable and arbitrarily malleable in all spatial directions. This means in particular that in the thread-like structure integrated LED in completely arbitrarily arranged cavities 21d placeable and any light patterns can be generated in the simplest way.

Of course, it is also possible instead of the above-mentioned textile arrangements 24 to use a so-called flexible printed circuit board corresponding shape.

Obviously, it is also possible, instead of at least one discrete light source 23 a, which is mounted on a suitable secondary support 24, also a thin, film-like light source, for example in the form of, for example, 0.1 millimeters thick OLED film or an electroluminescent film use

The arrangement of the actively optically active elements 23a in Figure 2 is chosen so that there is a regular rectangular matrix. Of course, completely different arrangement patterns and a much lower density of actively optically active elements 23a can be realized.

On the secondary support 24 can be attached to reinforce, not shown in Figure 2, additional textile fabric made of tensile threads such as glass fibers or the like. Such reinforcement may be useful if the textile structure 10 is to be used, for example, in the sense of a free-hanging curtain.

The sensor element 23b shown in FIG. 2 is designed, for example, as a photodiode. Thus, one is able by means of one or more such elements 23b determine by differences in brightness, for example, if someone with the

Hand near the construction 20 strokes over. This in turn can For example, be used to the active optically active elements 23a, in the presence of a plurality of elements 23b at most zone-wise, at most only briefly, possibly running continuously, on or off or dimming.

Of course, other types of sensory elements 23b may be used for this or other purposes.

FIG. 3 shows a combination of the two structures described in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 with the dimensions and components referred to with respect to these two figures.

The combination of actively optically active elements 33a, 33b with passively optically active elements 32 obviously has the advantage that the effects of the elements complement each other.

This means, for example, that transparent or partially transparent passively optically active elements 32 of, for example, actively designed as LED active optically active elements 33 a and thus can be made to radiate. Of course, passively optically active elements 32 may also be designed in the form of lenses and the like, and thus influence the beam path of actively designed, for example, LED active optically active elements 33a in the desired manner.

The arrangement of the additional elements 32 and 33a in FIG. 3 is chosen such that a regular rectangular matrix results and that a passively optically active element 32 is associated with each actively optically active element 33a. Of course, completely different arrangement patterns and a much lower density of elements 32, 33a can be realized and, of course, the arrangement of actively optically active elements 33a does not have to correspond anywhere at all or not everywhere with that of the passively optically active elements 32.

The sensory element 33b shown in FIG. 3 is designed, for example, as a photodiode. Thus one is able to determine by means of one or more such elements 33b by differences in brightness whether, for example, someone passes by hand in the vicinity of the structure 30. This, in turn, can be used, for example, to switch on or off or to dim the actively optically active elements 33b, possibly in zones, possibly only for a short time, at most continuously, in the presence of a plurality of elements 33b.

Of course, other types of sensory elements 33b may be used for this or other purposes. FIG. 31 shows the schematic diagram of a textile construction 310 according to the invention, which has a spacer fabric 311 as a textile support. The spacer fabric 311 has internal cavities 3 Hd. Both the top cover layer and the bottom non-visible cover layer of the spacer fabric 311 are opened in the zones of the internal cavities 31 Id.

The spacer fabric 311 is equipped with gemstones that it forms a piece of jewelry 310.

On the lower cover layer of the spacer fabric 311, which is opened in the region of the inner cavities 3 Hd, an additional planar secondary support 314 is fastened. This secondary carrier 314 may be, for example, a rigid or flexible printed circuit board. But it can also be a plate-like structure made of plastic or wood or, preferably insulated, metal or stone or the like. It can also be a plastic or metal foil. Preferably, however, the secondary carrier 314 is a textile structure such as, for example, a woven or knitted or knitted fabric or the like. Particularly preferably, the secondary support 314 is a lightweight filter-like fabric made of a tensile material.

The secondary support 314 does not necessarily have to be flat. He may also be band-like or thread-like, in which case each may also be more band or thread-like secondary carrier may be present.

The spacer fabric 311 has, for example, a thickness of 1 to 10 mm, preferably 2 to 4 mm. The cylindrical cavities 3 Hd of the distance knitted fabric 311, have, due to the production, a substantially rhombic cross-section whose long or short axis, for example, about 1 is up to 10 mm or about 0.7 to 7 mm long. The cavities 3 Hd are arranged, for example, along diagonals so that each second cavity 3 Hd of the spacer fabric 311 lies on a straight line running parallel to the longitudinal or transverse direction of the spacer fabric 311 and thus forms the pattern of a rectangular matrix. Preferably, the center distances of the cavities 3 Hd along this straight line in both directions are approximately equal, so that there is an approximately square-rectangular matrix. For example, the center distances of the cavities along the straight lines of this matrix are about 1.5 to 3 times the long axis of the substantially rhombic cross-section of a cavity 3 Hd.

The length of the two axes and the center distance of the cross sections of the cavities 31 Id of the distance knitted fabric 311 are chosen according to the size of the jewelry objects used 312 so that a large part of the spacer fabric 311 towards surfaces of the jewelry objects 312 freely over the cavities 31 Id is. For example, if the jewelery objects 312 are gemstones of diamond-cut shape and having a maximum diameter of approximately 5 mm, a spacer fabric 311 whose voids 3 Hd is approximately 3 x 2 mm in cross-section and approximately centered along the axes of said rectangular matrix 5.5 to 6.5 mm, ideally suited to the jewelry objects 312, as shown in Figure 31, to be arranged in two directions almost close to each other above a respective dense cavity 3 Hd. For other diameters of the jewelry objects 312 corresponding other dimensions of the cavities 31 Id are selected.

The jewelery objects 312 present, for example, as gemstones are - as shown in FIG. 31 - for example of a diamond-like shape, protrude with their conical lower part into the cavities 31 Id and lie along a certain circumferential line on the upper cover layer of the spacer knit 311 on. The diamond-shaped jewelry objects 312 are connected to the spacer knit 311 along a narrow band-like area following this circumferential line.

The mentioned connection is made for example by gluing. For the production of such a bond exists a variety of possibilities of which only a few examples are listed here.

The mentioned bonding takes place for example by applying a suitable adhesive, such as a hot glue, a cyanolite or the like to one or both of the adhesive partners and placing the optically active elements 312. However, it can also take place in such a way that the optically active elements 312 are coated in advance, at least at the corresponding points, for example with a suitable hot glue. It may also be advantageous if the upper cover layer of the spacer knitted fabric 311, at least partially in the edge zones of their openings, is made of hot melt adhesive threads.

However, the bonding can also be made by first of all over the entire surface of the upper cover layer, a permanently tacky, preferably transparent adhesive film is applied, in which then the passively optically active elements 312 are pressed. If such an adhesive film is realized, for example, by means of a so-called transfer-type film, as offered, for example, by 3M under the name 200MP, this film gives way when a passively optically active element 312 is pushed in and adapts to the surface of the passively optically active element 312 almost completely, whereby an excellent grip between passively optically active element 312 and upper cover layer is ensured. There are cases where the adhesive film clinging to the passively optically effective element 312 has its optical Properties disturbs. In these cases, the adhesive film may be opened, for example by means of a hot tip, prior to the impressions of the passively optically active elements 312 in the regions of the inner cavities 3 Hd of the spacer fabric 311.

It will be understood that other jewelry objects 312 than diamond-like molds may be connected to the spacer fabric 311 in the same manner. For example, it is possible to use spherical and / or ellipsoidal and / or conical and / or cylindrical jewelery objects 312.

In particular, it is also possible to use jewelry objects 312, which have on their the spacer knit 311 facing lower side substantially a large flat surface. An interesting special case of such a jewelry object are so-called flat-back stones, which have on their top a diamond-cut shape.

Jewelery objects 312 with flat bottom side can be coated with hot glue on this side for the purpose of gluing. In particular, those mentioned

Flat-back bricks - also in transparent design - as very inexpensive

Mass produced on the lower side coated with hot glue available. The

Jewelery object 312 in this case has the largest circumference, which for example corresponds to just about the center distance of the cavities 3 Hd. The above a cavity 31 Id imprinted on the upper cover layer hot

Jewelery objects 312 then adhere to the space surrounding the cavity 3 Hd

Cover layer of the spacer fabric 311. It is obvious that instead of the close-fitting arrangement of the jewelery objects 312 shown in FIG. 31, any less dense arrangements, for example any patterns, down to a single jewelery object can also be selected.

It is further obvious that all arrangements of jewelery objects 312 can also be combined with a cover layer of the spacer knitted fabric 311-at least partially-consisting, for example, of jewelery threads.

It is further obvious that all arrangements of jewelry objects 312 need not be fixed directly on the cover layer of the spacer knit fabric 311, but that they may also be arranged on an additional, advantageously thin textile layer (not shown in FIGS the upper cover layer is attached. At best, such an additional layer is provided with ornamental ornaments which are for example printed, vapor-deposited, embroidered or the like.

The previously discussed with reference to Figure 31 arrangements represent jewelry pieces without light sources, worn as such, achieve a high decorative effect.

In order to generate local light effects - and thus additional decorative effects - 31 locally arranged light sources 313 are shown.

These light sources 313 are formed, for example, in the form of LED, the term LED including all types of light-emitting diodes. Especially It includes all types of SMD LED, LED semiconductor chip (LED chip), as well as so-called OLED.

FIG. 31 shows, for example, SMD LED 313 in the design "0603" known to the person skilled in the art up to the design "PLCC", which is based on a, for example, the Swiss patent applications "textile LED tape" (Swiss Patent Application No. 1135/06 ), and are electrically contacted with the strands 315a, 315b woven into the textile band 314. The said textile LED tape is, for example, 3 to 6 millimeters wide. But it can also be much wider.

The light sources 313 are arranged, for example, such that a light source 313 protrudes into each or every second, third or nth cavity 3 Hd along a certain line and transilluminates a jewelery object 312 possibly placed above the corresponding cavities 3 Hd.

If a strict local illumination of a specific cavity is desired, this is ensured by the choice of a light-absorbing, that is, for example, black or dull-gray spacer fabric. If, in addition, a high light yield is desired, this is ensured by the use of an additional hollow cylinder 318 which reflects light on its inner side and which has an outer diameter corresponding to the hollow space 3 Hd. To further improve the luminous efficacy, the inner surface of the hollow cylinder may, for example, have a conical or paraboloidal shape.

Such a hollow cylinder 318 may also be previously connected to a gemstone 312, whereby the two elements together, for example, a form so-called presetting. Such presettings 312 + 318 can be inserted as a whole in the cavities 3 Hd of the spacer knitted fabric 311 and glued there.

With a wider version of the textile band 314 with many strand pairs 315a, 315b arranged in parallel, it is also possible that many, up to all, lines of cavities 31 Id are provided with light sources 313 projecting into them.

The textile band 314 may also be locally folded so that it does not run along a straight line but along any polygon.

However, it is also possible, instead of a textile band 314 as a carrier of the light sources 313, to use a thread-like structure with an integrated LED constructed in accordance with the Swiss patent application "Faden" (Swiss Patent Application No. 2122/06). Such a thread-like structure is characterized by the fact that it is completely pliable and arbitrarily malleable in all spatial directions. This means, in particular, that the integrated in the thread-like structure LED can be placed in any arbitrarily arranged cavities 3 Hd and any light pattern can be generated in the simplest way.

Furthermore, it is also possible, instead of a textile LED strip or a filament-like structure, to use, for example, a printed circuit board-like textile structure constructed according to the Swiss patent application "Leitertextü" (Swiss Patent Application No. 1865/06), in which electronic components, such as LED, in the sense of a multilayer printed circuit board can be fastened, contacted and controlled. This allows in particular a matrix-like layout and such a control of light sources 313 that, for example, certain groupings of densely arranged jewelry objects 312 so to Lights are bringable that a selectively changing, for example, letters and / or numbers performing, light pattern is feasible.

Of course, it is also possible to use a so-called flexible circuit board corresponding shape instead of the above-mentioned textile arrangements 314. This has the disadvantage that the wearing comfort is significantly reduced and that the piece of jewelry always wants to spring back into a flat shape, but in inventive pieces of jewelry 310, for example in the sense of a badge or brooch in itself or for example on a garment or a Handbag or the like are applied, does not matter.

Obviously, it is also possible, instead of at least one discrete light source 313, which is mounted on a suitable support 314, to use a thin, film-like light source, for example in the form of, for example, 0.1 mm thick, OLED film.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective sectional sketch of the principle of a further textile construction 40 according to the invention with passively optically active elements 42 and with actively optically active elements 43a and sensory elements 43b.

The spacer fabric 41 corresponding in its dimensions, for example, to FIGS. 1 to 4, has in this example on its upper side a cover layer 41a which is also closed in the region of the inner cavities and is shown in a net shape for the sake of transparency. Instead of a closed cover layer 41a, an additional layer may be used on a spacer fabric 41 with inner cavities open on both sides. In the inner cavities of the spacer fabric 41 passively optically active elements 42 may be introduced, which are mirror-like, for example, formed as a reflective cone and arranged so that they are glued with their base on the top cover 41a of the spacer fabric 41.

This arrangement is combined with the arrangement of actively optically active, for example, LED-shaped elements 43a described in the example of FIG. 2, such that each LED 43a is assigned a passively optically active element 42 in the form of a reflective pointed cone directed with its tip against the LED 43a is.

This arrangement of actively or passively optically active elements 43a and 42 obviously has the consequence that the light of the active optically active elements 43a formed, for example, as an LED is deflected sideways into the spacer knitted fabric.

Obviously, such an arrangement makes sense if the spacer knitted fabric is more or less translucent. If, for example, a spacer fabric 41 made of white threads having a thickness of, for example, 2 to 5 mm is combined with a plurality of LEDs 43 a, the light of the LED 43 a deflected by the passively optically active elements 42 into the interior of the spacer fabric 41 brings the spacer knit as a whole to a pleasant diffuse glow. This is given by the described arrangement a textile, bendable and twistable light source. As described so far, the light exits from the structure 40 according to the invention both on the upper and the lower side, wherein the ratio of above exiting to bottom exiting light amount by means of the nature and shape of the passive optically active element 42 used to a large extent is selectable. A very flat, pointed cone element 42 directs a great deal of light towards the lower surface, while a steep pointed cone directs more light upward. If the passive optically active element 42 is not formed as a pointed cone, but for example as a truncated cone of transparent material, which is mirrored only on the oblique conical surface, so light also passes directly through the stump cone through from the upper surface of the structure 40.

Obviously, the shape of the passive optically active element 42 used is not limited to conical shapes but any suitable shapes can be used. In particular, it is also possible to use a transparent element 42 with, for example, a cylindrical shape and a conical or paraboloidal upwardly open cavity. Light entering the transparent cylinder from below is then at least partially redirected at the conical or paraboloidal inner surface by means of total internal reflection, wherein the ratio of light deflected by total reflection to light emerging directly by means of the conical or parabolic shape is adjustable.

In cases where only one-sided leakage of light from the inventive structure 40 is desired, the planar, preferably textile secondary support 44 of the actively optically active elements 43a may be opaque or even optically reflective.

But it is also possible to subsequently combine the secondary support 44 on its lower side with a reflective material, so for example a thin, ie glue only a few 10 microns thick film of, for example, aluminum, for example.

The possibly existing sensory element 43b shown in FIG. 4 is designed, for example, as a photodiode. Thus one is able to determine by means of one or more such elements 43b by differences in brightness whether, for example, someone passes by hand in the vicinity of the structure 40. This, in turn, can be used, for example, to switch the optically active elements on or off or at least zone-wise if there are a plurality of elements 43b, if necessary only for a short time, possibly continuously.

Of course, other types of sensory elements 43b may be used for this or other purposes.

Figure 5 shows a perspective sectional sketch of the principle of a novel textile construction 50 with additional elements which trigger an electrical signal upon contact.

The spacer fabric 51 has internal cavities. Both the upper cover layer and the lower non-visible cover layer of the spacer fabric 51 are opened in the zones of the inner cavities.

The thickness of the spacer fabric 51 is, for example, 1 to 10 mm. If necessary, however, thicknesses up to 50 mm can also be selected. The center distance of the cavities with each other is for example 2 to 20 mm and the Diameter of a cavity is for example a quarter to four-fifths of this distance.

On the, in the region of the inner cavities open, lower cover layer of the spacer fabric 51, an additional planar secondary support 54 is attached. This secondary carrier 54 may be, for example, a rigid or flexible circuit board. But it can also be a plate-like structure made of plastic or wood or, preferably insulated, metal or stone or the like. It can also be a plastic or metal foil. Preferably, however, the secondary carrier 54 is a textile structure such as, for example, a woven or knitted or knitted fabric or the like. Particularly preferably, the secondary carrier 54 is a light, for example filter-like fabric made of a tensile material.

The secondary carrier 54 is equipped with electrical tracks 54a, which are responsible for the transport of electrical energy and / or electrical information. If the secondary carrier 54 is a rigid or flexible printed circuit board, the printed conductors 54a are copper-coated, coated or uncoated, printed circuit board manufacturing methods. If the secondary carrier 54 is a plate-like or foil-like structure made of any desired material, the printed conductors 54a are, for example, laid and bonded non-insulated tapes, wires or strands of a material with good electrical conductivity, such as silver, copper or aluminum. If the secondary carrier 54 is a woven fabric, then the conductor tracks 54a are preferably electrically conductive threads or wires or strands, which for example are woven directly in, or are applied using textile methods such as, for example, embroidering. In the example of FIG. 5, the electrically conductive tracks 54a run parallel to each other in the sense of column elements of a matrix. In a general case, the electrically conductive tracks 54a may also follow arbitrary lines.

Instead of using a flat secondary carrier 54, it is also possible to use a band-like structure which is produced, for example, in accordance with the Swiss patent application "textile LED strip" (Swiss Patent Application No. 1135/06). The said textile LED tape is, for example, 3 to 6 millimeters wide. But it can also be much wider.

On the upper top surface of the spacer fabric 51, an additional flexible element 55 is fastened - shown in a net-like manner in FIG. The attachment is done for example by means of a bond.

In the example of Figure 5, this additional element 55 is a flat thin textile, so for example, a lightweight fabric. But it can also be a thin, very flexible plastic or metal foil. In addition, the additional element 55 need not be planar, but may be resolved into ribbon-like sub-elements, of which at least one is then present.

On the additional, flexible element 55 are present - at least one - electrically conductive, non-insulated, externally electrically contacted zones 55a which are positioned so as to coincide with the openings of the top surface of the spacer fabric 51 at its internal cavities. Preferably, but not necessarily, these electrically conductive zones 55a are thickened to penetrate a little into the interior cavities of the Spacer knit 51 protrude. By a few, for example, means that the thickening is one tenth to one third of the thickness of the spacer fabric 51.

The electrically conductive zone 55a may, for example, in the sense of a piece

Metal foil or a small metal plate with soldered electrically conductive, preferably strand-like threads be constructed. Preferably, however, it is made by textile means such as embroidery or sewing. In case of

Embroidering, for example, strand-like electrically conductive threads are embroidered on the additional flexible element 55 that they on the one hand the desired

Ensuring connections of the electrically conductive zones 55a with each other and against the outside and on the other hand result, for example, by multiple overstitching the desired thickening of the electrically conductive zones 55a.

In the case in which no external forces act - as sketched in FIG. 5a - the electrically conductive zone 55a is held by the elastic spacer fabric 51 at a defined distance from the electrically conductive path 54a. When sufficiently large external forces are exerted, for example by pressure with a finger, the spacer fabric 51 is compressed to such an extent that-as sketched in FIG. 5b-the electrically conductive zone 55a contacts the electrically conductive path 54a and allows an electric current to flow.

In the example of FIG. 5, numerous such electrically conductive zones 55a are interconnected by electrical conductors in such a way that they act in the sense of row elements of a matrix. This means that with the structure shown in Figure 5, a matrix of switching elements is shown, with which, for example, can be determined at which point a finger pressure is exerted on the textile structure 50.

The spatial density of the switching elements 54a + 55a is dependent on the center distance of the inner cavities of the spacer knitted fabric which, as described above, is for example 2 to 20 mm.

In the manner described, it is therefore easily possible, for example, to realize a textile keyboard or a textile Trak pad.

Of course, constructions with substantially fewer switching elements 54a + 55a can be realized and, of course, a combination of such switching elements with the structures described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 is also possible.

For an aesthetically pleasing or functionally improved appearance of the structure 50, an additional, generally planar and preferably textile element 56 may be fastened on the upper side of the element 55. In terms of a functionally improved appearance, it is possible, for example, to print or embroider the additional element 56 with markings and / or any characters, for example.

The foregoing description describes switching elements 54a + 55a which generate a signal in the form of a flowing current due to electrical contact. Of course, it is also possible signal-generating elements which operate due to capacitance or inductance changes or other electrical principles.

A corresponding structure with capacitively acting elements arises, for example, in a simple manner in that the electrically conductive tracks 54a are electrically insulated from the electrically conductive zones 55a, for example by means of a thin foil, and an electrical voltage alternating, for example, with readouts to these two zones is created.

Figure 6 is a perspective cut-away sketch of the principle of a textile structure 60 for emitting light in which the LED chip 63, i. LED in unheatened form, come into use.

Suitable for the application described in FIG. 6 are all types of LED chip 63 which have one of their electrical contact surfaces on their underside and the second contact surface 63a on their upper side. Many such LED chips are available on the market.

Suitable, for example, the available on the market power LED chip EZ1000 the company Cree, which at a base of about 1 mm ² and a height of about 0.1 mm her - notabene blue - light in the form of an efficient Lambert radiator submit.

The LED chip 63 are mounted on a secondary carrier 64. This secondary support 64 may be, for example, a rigid or flexible circuit board. But it can also be a plate-like structure made of plastic or wood or, preferably insulated, Be metal or stone or the like. It can also be a plastic or metal foil. Preferably, however, the secondary carrier 64 is a textile structure such as, for example, a woven or knitted or knitted fabric or the like. Particularly preferably, the secondary support 64 is a lightweight, filter-like fabric made of a tensile material.

The secondary carrier 64 is equipped with lower electrical tracks 64a, which are responsible for the transport of electrical energy. If the secondary carrier 64 is a rigid or flexible printed circuit board, the printed conductors 64a are copper-coated, coated or uncoated, printed circuit board manufacturing methods. If the secondary carrier 64 is a plate-like or foil-like structure made of any desired material, the printed conductors 64a are, for example, laid and glued ribbons, wires or strands of a material with good electrical conductivity, such as silver, copper or aluminum. If the secondary carrier 64 is a woven fabric, then the conductor tracks 64a are preferably electrically conductive, threads or wires or strands, which are for example woven directly, or applied by textile methods such as embroidering and, for example, run in zones close to each other. But it is also possible that a textile secondary support 64 is woven entirely from electrically conductive threads and no discrete tracks 64a are present.

Preferably, the secondary support 64 is an air-permeable textile structure such as a tensile fabric with a defined mesh size. Such fabrics are manufactured for example by the company Sefar in a large selection for filtration purposes.

Under certain circumstances, can be dispensed with the additional secondary support 64. In this case, the LED chip 63 with its lower contact surface initially applied to, for example, 2 to 5 parallel, formed for example as strands with a diameter of 30 to 200 microns, lower electrical conductor 64a applied by soldering or gluing at intervals, for example, be 100% to 200% of the later desired distances. Thereafter, these thread-like structures are applied to the spacer layer 61, that the LED chip 63 coincide with the desired openings of the spacer layer 61 and the electrical conductors 64a, because of their excess length, for example, arcuate or meandering between the LED.

In the example of FIG. 6, the lower electrically conductive tracks 64a run parallel to each other in the sense of column elements of a matrix. In a general case, the electrically conductive traces 64a may also follow arbitrary lines. In special cases, the lower electrically conductive paths may also be formed as a single continuous surface.

Instead of using a flat secondary carrier 64, it is also possible to use a band-like structure which is produced, for example, in accordance with the Swiss patent application "textile LED strip" (Swiss Patent Application No. 1135/06). The said textile LED tape is, for example, 3 to 6 millimeters wide. But it can also be much wider.

At least one or mostly numerous LED chips 63 are fastened and electrically contacted with their lower contact area (not shown) on the lower electrically conductive tracks 64a. This electrically conductive connection can be made, for example by means of soldering or gluing, depending on the LED chip 63 used. As the actual supporting element, a spacer layer 61 is provided, on which the secondary support 64 is fastened together with the LED chip 63a. This supporting spacer layer 61 has, in the region of the LED chip 63, through-holes whose diameter is, for example, at least 110% of the diagonal of the LED chip 63 used. The diameter can also be a multiple, so for example, five or ten times the diagonal of the LED chip 63.

The thickness of the supporting spacer layer 61 is maximally selected so that an additional layer 65 affixed to the top of the supporting spacer layer 61 compresses the supporting spacer layer 61 a little when connected to the top of an LED chip 63. Compressing a little means that the resulting tensile force on the LED chip 63 is only a few milligrams to centigrams. Obviously, therefore, the largest allowable thickness of the supporting spacer layer is dependent on the height of the LED chip 63, the elasticity of the supporting spacer layer 61 and the diameter of the above-described through holes.

Based on these requirements, the elastic bearing spacer layer 61 may be, for example, a thin and preferably loose felt-like structure with, for example, punched through-holes. For example, in the case of the aforementioned Cree Power LED chip EZ1000 of the company Cree, the felt-like structure is 0.1 to 0.2 mm thick, for example has through holes of diameter 1.5 to 5 mm, which, for example, at intervals of at least 2 to 5.5 mm or arbitrarily larger distances follow.

However, the bearing spacer layer 61 can also be, for example, a thin fabric with corresponding holes. In special cases discussed in more detail below, it is also possible to dispense entirely with the load-bearing spacer layer 61.

Of course, the supporting spacer layer 61 may also be a spacer fabric, preferably easily compressible, whose two cover surfaces are open in the region of the inner cavities. Since such spacer fabrics are available as standard only from about at least 1 mm thickness, a spacer fabric with relatively large internal cavities must be used.

In combination with the aforementioned power LED chip from Cree, the thickness of the spacer fabric 61 is, for example, 1 to 10 mm. The center spacing of the cavities with each other is, for example, 5 to 20 mm, and the diameter of a cavity is, for example, a quarter to four fifths of this distance, i. 4 to 16 mm.

As already mentioned, an additional layer 65 is applied to the upper side of the elastic load-bearing spacer layer 61, which in turn includes upper electrical conductors 65a. These upper electrical conductors 65a are electrically conductively connected to the upper contact surfaces 63a of the LED chip 63, so that when a suitable electrical voltage is applied to the upper electrical conductors 65a on the one hand and the electrical conductors 64a on the other hand, the LEDs light up.

Obviously, the additional layer 65 must be as transparent as possible so that the light from the LED can exit. Such an additional transparent layer 65 can be made, for example, by means of a transparent plastic film, that is, for example, with a PE, PET or also PTFE film. But it may also be a plate-like structure made of glass or plastic. The upper electrical conductors 65a may be, for example, vapor-deposited or sputtered electrically conductive thin layers, which are either present over the entire surface or are structured to form corresponding conductor tracks. The material of the upper electrical conductors 65a is either a suitable metal such as copper, silver or gold or a plurality of metal layers such as a copper-nickel-gold composite or the like. But it can also be a transparent electrically conductive material such as ITO (In ₂ O ₃ -SnO ₂ ) or the like are used.

However, the additional transparent layer 65 may preferably also be a textile structure. Preferably, the additional transparent layer 65 is an air-permeable fabric of tensile, preferably transparent materials and has a defined mesh size. Such fabrics are used for example for filters in masses and are offered for example by the company Sefar in a large selection. Preferably, such a fabric is made of a temperature-resistant material, such as PEEK, so that it survives, for example, a subsequent soldering without damage.

The upper electrical conductors 65a are in this case, for example, in the warp and / or weft direction woven electrically conductive threads or strands. However, it may also be subsequently on the fabric embroidered or applied with another textile method electrically conductive threads or strands. Under certain circumstances, it is also possible to dispense with the transparent layer 65. In this case, the upper electrical conductors 65a, for example, in the form of strand-like metal filaments, for example, having a diameter of 30 to 300 .mu.m, preferably 50 to 120 .mu.m, led directly to the upper contact surfaces 63a of the LED chip 63 and there for example soldered or welded in the sense of "wire bonding".

Advantageously, the upper electrical conductors 65a are provided with a thin, e.g. For example, provided 1 micron to 10 microns thick layer of solder.

The process of connecting the upper electrical conductors to the upper contact surfaces 63a of the LED chip 63 is effected, for example, by pressing the elastic supporting spacer layer 61 together with the additional layer 65 fastened to it at least in the vicinity of an LED chip 63. As a result, the upper electrical conductors are pressed onto the upper contact surface 63a of the LED chip 63 and can be soldered there, for example, by means of hot air or infrared radiation or by means of a suitable thermode. After this process, the spacer layer 61 springs back again, thus ensuring that no short circuit can occur between the lower electrically conductive tracks 64a and the upper electrical conductors 65a.

In the example of FIG. 6, the arrangement of the lower electrically conductive tracks 64a in the sense of columns of a matrix and of the upper electrical conductors 65a in the sense of rows of a matrix is selected such that an arbitrarily controllable matrix is present. At one or any number or all virtual crossing points of this matrix, an LED chip 63 can be electrically contacted. In such or similar matrix-like arrangement of the electrical conductors 64a and 65a, the spacer layer 61 can be dispensed with in all cases in which an LED chip 63 is present at each virtual intersection point of the two electrical conductors 64a and 64b. This is of course also the case when the LED chip 63 is replaced by an electrically insulating, local spacer at one or more virtual crossing points.

When using the power LED chip of the company Cree mentioned several times the minimum center distance of the LED chip 63 corresponds to the center distance of the cavities of the elastic spacer layer and is for example at least 2 to 5 mm or any more.

Of course, any other arrangement of the electrical conductors 64a, 65a may be selected. In special cases, the lower and / or the upper electrical conductor may be formed over the entire surface, so that all the LED chip 63 or a specific group of LED chip 63 light up together when a corresponding electrical voltage is applied to any location of the conductor.

The LED chip available on the market emit monochromatic light, i. For example, they glow red, orange, yellow, green or blue, or in many other shades of color. In many cases, however, it is desirable that white light or other color mixtures be emitted.

Any color mixtures are known to be achievable by a combination of three complementary colors, for example, red, green and blue (RGB). Such RGB arrangements can be made, for example, with the described matrix-type arrangement of LED chip 63. White light is often generated by means of LED so that an LED chip that emits blue, violet or ultra-violet light is combined with a so-called phosphor, ie with a generally inorganic dye of a defined proportion of the irradiated in, for example absorbed blue light and emits in a range of longer waves than secondary radiation again. Corresponding phosphors are well known to those skilled in the art and are offered by many companies on the market.

In the case of the light source 60 according to the invention of FIG. 6, it is no problem to mix in a suitable dye of this kind, for example, into a low-viscosity, post-curing, transparent silicone or another suitable transparent material and thus produce a color-converting material. In the case of a closed upper layer 65, this may be completely or partially coated with such a color-converting mixture on its side facing away from the LED 63 and the upper electrical conductors 65a. In the case of a textile, open-mesh upper layer 65, a drop of the color-converting mixture can be subsequently applied after the electrical contacting of the LED chip 63 above the desired LED chip 63.

In sum, with the example of FIG. 6, a textile, ie, arbitrarily curvable and twistable, light source 60 is described, which can be economically produced in large areas and can subsequently be cut into any desired sections. As long as a particular such section contains at least one LED chip, it can be lit by applying a suitable electrical voltage. Of course, such an inventive light source 60 can be used alone. But it can also be used in combination with one of the arrangements of Figures 1 to 5.

In all cases discussed in Figures 1 to 6, the connection of the individual layers 21, 24, 31, 34, 311, 314, 41, 44, 51, 54, 55, 56, 61, 64, 65 with each other, for example by means of local or Full-surface bonding instead.

A local bonding finds favorably in the zones between the active ones

Elements 23, 33, 313, 43, 53, 63 instead of, so that any, even non-transparent adhesives hold the layers, for example, punctiform together. A full-surface bonding is done with a thin, transparent

Adhesive layer, so for example a film-like adhesive layer such as those offered by the companies 3M or Colano on the market.

The interconnection of the individual layers 21, 24, 31, 34, 311, 314, 41, 44, 51, 54, 55, 56, 61, 64, 65 with one another can take place in the zones between the active elements 23, 33, 313, 43 , 53, 63 but also with textile methods, so for example be prepared by sewing or embroidery, wherein such a compound may also be present in addition to a bond and line-like but also point-like.

Another possible type of connection of the individual layers 21, 24, 31, 34, 311, 314, 41, 44, 51, 54, 55, 56, 61, 64, 65 with each other is a welding, for example, by the layers in the Zones between the active elements 23, 33, 313, 43, 53, 63 are compressed line or point-like and heated so far that the layers 21, 24, 31, 34, 311, 314, 41, 44, 51, 54, 55, 56, 61, 64, 65 merge locally. The electrically conductive tracks (25a, 25b, 35a, 35b, 315a, 315b, 45a, 45b, 54a, 55a, 64a, 65a) of the textile structures (20, 30, 310, 40, 50, 60) can be arranged like a matrix and so allow the optional individual control of the elements contacted by them.

However, the electrically conductive tracks (25a, 25b, 35a, 35b, 45a, 45b, 54a, 55a, 64a, 65a) may also be formed at least partially flat and electrically contact several active elements in parallel. As a further possibility, the electrically conductive tracks ( 25a, 25b, 35a, 35b, 315a, 315b, 45a, 45b, 54a, 55a, 64a, 65a) may be designed such that to the one contact surface of each active element or of sub-groups of the active elements (23a, 23b, 33a, 33b, 315a, 315b, 43a, 54a + 55a, 63a) carries an electrically conductive path that is separate from all other paths and that the other contact surface of all or part groups of the active elements (23a, 23b, 33a, 33b, 313, 43a, 54a + 55a, 63a) are contacted by a common electrically conductive track or surface.

Of course, it is possible to realize any combination of at least two of the assemblies 10, 20, 30, 310, 40, 50, 60.

The examples discussed by no means show the full breadth of the possibilities of the present invention. Even if they can be realized as discussed, they only serve to clarify the general remarks.

Claims

1. Textile construction with actively and / or passively optically active elements (23a,

33a, 313, 43a and / or 12, 32, 42) and / or sensory elements (23b, 33b,

43b), which are applied to a carrier, characterized in that a spacer textile (11, 31, 311, 41) with inner, at least to one of the two top surfaces of the Abstandtextiis open towards cavities (Hd, 3 Id,

31Id), such as a spacer fabric, a spacer fabric or a

Spacer knits, as a carrier of active and / or passive optically effective

Elements (23a, 33a, 43a and / or 12, 32, 42) and / or sensory elements (23b, 33b, 43b) is used.

2. Textile structure (10, 30, 310, 40) with passively optically active elements (12, 32, 312, 42) such as glass, plastic or metal balls or lenticular, disc-shaped, gemstone-shaped or other optically passive structures, characterized in that a spacer textile (11, 31, 311, 41) with inner, at least one of the two

Top surfaces of the spacer textures open to cavities (Hd, 3 Id, 31Id), such as a spacer, a spacer fabric or a spacer knitted fabric, as a carrier of the passive optically active elements (12, 32, 312, 42) is used.

3. Textile structure (10, 30, 310, 40) according to claim 2, characterized in that the on and / or in the spacer textile (11, 31, 311, 41) applied passive optically active elements (12, 32, 312, 42) above or within the inner cavities (Hd, 3 Id, 3 Hd,) of the spacer fabric (11, 31, 311, 41) are placed.

4. Textile structure (20, 30, 40) with actively optically active elements (23a, 33a, 313, 43a), such as LED and / or sensory elements (23b, 33b, 43b) such as photodiodes, characterized in that a Spacer fabric (21, 31, 311, 41) with inner, at least one of the two top surfaces of the Abstandtextiis (21, 31, 311, 41) open towards cavities (21d, 3 Id, 31Id), such as a spacer knitted fabric, a spacer fabric or a spacer knitted fabric, as a support of the actively optically active elements (23a, 33a, 313, 43a) and / or sensory elements

(23b, 33b, 43b) is used.

5. Textile structure (20, 30, 40) according to claim 4, characterized in that on the spacer textile (21, 31, 311, 41) applied active optically active elements (23a, 33a, 313, 43a) and / or sensory Elements (23b, 33b, 43b) of electrical conductors (25a, 25b, 35a, 35b, 315a, 315b, 45a,

45b) fixed on a secondary support (24, 34, 314, 44), electrically contacted and placed at least partially within the internal cavities (2 Id, 31d, 31Id) of the spacer fabric (21, 31, 311, 41).

6. Textile structure (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 4, 5, characterized in that at least one or many additional passively optically active elements (28, 38, 318) in the interior of the cavities (2 Id, 3 Id, 31Id) of the spacer textile (21, 31, 311, 41) are present, which each surrounds one of the actively optically active elements (23a, 33a, 313, 43a) or sensory elements (23b, 33b, 43b), for example in the sense of a reflector.

7. Textile structure (30, 310, 40) with passively optically active elements (32, 312, 42) such as glass, plastic or metal balls or lenticular, disc-shaped, gemstone-shaped or other passive optically active structures and active optically active elements (33a, 313, 43a), such as LED and / or sensory elements (33b,

43b) such as photodiodes, characterized in that a spacer textile (31, 311, 41) with inner, at least one of the two top surfaces of the Abstandtextiis open cavities (3 Id, 31Id), such as a spacer knitted fabric, a spacer fabric or a knitted spacer , as a carrier of the passively optically active elements (32, 312,

42) and the active optically active elements (33a, 313, 43a) and / or sensory elements (33b, 43b) is used.

8. textile structure (30, 310, 40) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one of each of the spacer textile (31, 311, 41) applied passive optically active elements (32, 312, 42) and the active optically active Elements (33a, 313, 43a) and / or sensory elements (33b, 43b) are placed above or at least partially within the inner cavities (3 Id, 31Id) of the spacer fabric (30, 310, 40), that the effects of influence or supplement above or within a certain cavity (3 Id, 31 Id) placed elements.

9. textile structure (40) according to any one of claims 7, 8, characterized in that at least one of the passively optically active elements (42) in the interior of a cavity of the spacer fabric (41) placed, non-diffuse or diffuse reflecting member which the light of the example formed as an LED, associated with him active optical

Element (43 a) at least partially deflected so that the light in the first Interior of the spacer fabric (41) is distributed and diffused from this is discharged to the environment.

10. Textile structure (50) with sensory elements (54a, 55a), characterized in that a spacer textile (51) with inner, open to both top surfaces of the Abstandtextiis cavities, such as a spacer knitted fabric, a spacer fabric or a knitted spacer, as a resilient Spacer between two active surfaces (54a, 55a) is used, said active surfaces (54a, 55a) at a, usually local, external pressure on the textile structure (50), in the sense of proximity sensors or touch switches, a detectable electrical signal produce.

11. Textile structure (50) according to claim 10, characterized in that the active surfaces (54a, 55a) are designed as non-insulated, electrically conductive sheet-like structures, which of two corresponding additional, on the spacer fabric (51) attached layers (54 , 55) are worn and which at a, usually local, compression of the

Abstandstextils (51) act as a touch switch.

12. Textile structure (50) according to claim 10, characterized in that the active surfaces (54a, 55a) are designed as mutually insulated, electrically conductive sheet-like structures which of two corresponding additional, on the spacer fabric (51) attached layers (54 , 55) and which act as a capacitive proximity sensor in the case of a normally local compression of the spacer textile (51).

13. Textile structure (50) according to any one of claims 10, 11, 12, characterized in that an additional, flexible cover layer (56) is present, which purely purely decorative character and / or functional character in the sense of marking and / or labeling of has at least one defined area of the textile structure (50).

14. textile structure (60) in the sense of a textile light source, characterized in that a textile secondary support (64) with electrical conductors and possibly contact surfaces (64a) is present, on which at least at one point the lower contact surface of an LED chip (63 ) and is electrically contacted and that the upper contact surfaces (63a) of the at least one LED chip (63) by means of electrical conductors (65a) are contacted, which on a, at least in the region of the LED chip (63) transparent, textile structure (65), such as on a fabric, are introduced or introduced.

15. Textile structure (60) according to claim 14, characterized in that an additional, textile spacer layer (61) is present, which in the region of the LED chip (63) has through holes and the two layers (64) and (65) electrically from each other separates.

16. Textile structure (60) according to any one of claims 14, 15 characterized in that the secondary textile carrier layer (64) is designed so that it at least partially reflects incident light.

17. textile structure (60) according to claim 15, characterized in that at least one of the two layers (64) and / or (65) is absent, but the corresponding electrical conductors (64a, 65a) are directly connected to the corresponding LED chip (63) and applied to the spacer layer (61).

18. Structure (60) according to any one of claims 14, 15 characterized in that at least one of said layers (64), (65) and possibly (61) has non-textile, but foil-like or plate-like character.

19. textile structure (10, 20, 30, 310, 40, 50, 60) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the textile structure (10, 20, 30, 310, 40, 50, 60), for example in Senses of meter goods, produced over a large area and large area or cut into sections is usable.

20. Textile structure (20, 30, 310, 40, 50, 60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the layers used (24, 34, 314, 44, 54, 55, 64, 65) is open textile , such as filter fabrics, and that at least on one of these layers (24, 34, 314, 44, 54, 55, 64, 65) electrically conductive tracks and / or surfaces (25a,

25b, 35a, 35b, 315a, 315b, 45a, 45b, 54a, 55a, 64a, 65a) and their connections are made to each other or to the outside by textile methods such as embroidery, weaving, laying or the like.

21. Textile structure (20, 30, 310, 40, 50, 60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrically conductive tracks

(25a, 25b, 35a, 35b, 315a, 315b, 45a, 45b, 54a, 55a, 64a, 65a) are arranged like a matrix and thus allow the optional single-drive of the elements contacted by them.

22. Textile construction (20, 30, 310, 40, 50, 60) according to one of the preceding

Claims characterized in that the electrically conductive tracks

(25a, 25b, 35a, 35b, 315a, 315b, 45a, 45b, 54a, 55a, 64a, 65a) are formed at least partially planar and contact a plurality of active elements electrically parallel.

23. Textile structure (20, 30, 310, 40, 50, 60) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrically conductive tracks (25a, 25b, 35a, 35b, 315a, 315b, 45a, 45b, 54a, 55a , 64a, 65a) are designed such that to the one contact surface of each active element or subgroups of the active elements (23a, 23b, 33a, 33b, 313, 43a, 54a + 55a, 63a) one electrically separated from all other tracks conducts conductive path and that the other contact surface of all or part groups of the active elements (23a, 23b, 33a, 33b, 313, 43a, 54a + 55a, 63a) are contacted by a common electrically conductive path or surface.

24. Textile structure (20, 30, 310, 40) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the active elements (23a, 33a, 313, 43a) are LED or OLED.

25. Textile construction (10, 20, 30, 310, 40, 50, 60) according to one of the preceding

Claims, characterized in that the connection of the individual layers (21, 24, 31, 34, 311, 314, 41, 44, 51, 54, 55, 56, 61, 64, 65) with each other by means of gluing and / or welding and / or textile

Sewing or Versticken takes place.

26. Textile construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure is a combination of at least two of the previously claimed structures (10, 20, 30, 310, 40, 50, 60).