| Abstract [eng] |
The PhD work presents a study carried out on electronic textiles for heat generation in compressive weft-knitted fabrics used for orthopaedic compression supports. The aim of this investigation was to develop compressive knitted structures with joule heating function and to investigate their heat generation characteristics and temperature changes under stretch and dependent on wearing requirements. A flat double needle-bed knitting machine was used to fabricate the developed specimens with elastomeric inlay-yarn, incorporated into the structure for compression generation, and silver coated polyamide yarn laid as ground yarn in a plated structure for heat generation. The problem associated with rigid elements used in the existing orthopaedic support has been solved in this study to avoid changes in the compression. The upscaling and industrial use of such supports are feasible, as long as several technological steps for structure fabrication are solved, including wearing conditions. The temperature profile of the structures and the comparison of the heat generation by the samples after stretching and washing at different levels were studied. The findings revealed that all fabrics heated up quickly for the first minute and afterwards this rising slowdown. Finally, the heating levelled off at 40-45°C within 2-3 minutes with some exception depending on applied voltage and conductive yarn used in the knitting pattern. This behaviour of the fabric is very suitable for heat therapy. Washing and stretching negatively influence heat generation. Utilization of heavy power source has also been solved. Based on the research results, the prototype of the orthopaedic compressive heating support was produced. |
