US20130102217A1 - Electrically conductive fabric and manufacturing method and apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses to relates to an electrically conductive fabric, and a manufacturing method and an apparatus thereof, and more specifically to an electrically conductive fabric, and a manufacturing method and an apparatus thereof, wherein part of electrically conductive wire woven together into fabric is selectively exposed to the outside of the fabric to perform the tying of electrically conductive wires and the connection of various elements and modules quickly and conveniently, so that workability and productivity can be improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present invention relates to an electrically conductive fabric, and a manufacturing method and an apparatus thereof, and more specifically to an electrically conductive fabric, and a manufacturing method and an apparatus thereof, wherein part of electrically conductive wire woven together into fabric is selectively exposed to the outside of the fabric to perform the tying of electrically conductive wires and the connection of various elements and modules quickly and conveniently, so that workability and productivity can be improved.
BACKGROUND ART
• In general, fabrics such as knitted fabrics or woven fabrics (below to be described commonly as fabrics) that are used to manufacture bed covers, curtains, clothes, etc. are woven by natural fiber yarn or man-made fiber yarn, and their kinds are various, and they have properties and characteristics unique in their own way according to the purpose of use, such as heat conservation, absorptivity, stretchability, etc.
• And as industrial society becomes more sophisticated and uses more high technology, modern people demand fabrics having new functions in addition, conventionally, to heat conservation for keeping away coldness, stretchability for ensuring sufficient freedom of motion and absorptivity for absorbing sweat.
• For instance, fabrics in demand are those that can conduct electric current for various electric appliances to be installed for convenient use or those that perform heating action or cooling action by themselves. For such fabrics can realize beds, intelligent clothes, etc. which are light and thin and can be used regardless of season.
• Accordingly, in the textile industry various efforts and research and development are being made to meet such social demand and lead a future textile industry. As a representative result of research, a planar heating unit made by weaving carbon fiber yarn has been developed.
• Such a planar heating unit woven by carbon fiber yarn performs heating action when power is supplied, so it can be applied to the goods that need warming action, but it has a disadvantage that it cannot be applied to bed material that needs a cushioning function or clothes that need stretchability and freedom of motion because it does not have stretchability at all due to the characteristics of carbon fiber yarn. And if friction force is applied continuously while it is being used, the fine structures of carbon fiber yarn become loosened and damaged or minute electrical sparks are generated, so it was not possible to secure sufficient durability and safety.
• In addition, smart clothes equipped with electronic appliances such as a wearable computer and an MP3 player need conductive wires for electrically connecting operating buttons, power supply unit, various electronic elements, etc. and for transmitting electric signals, but a planar heating unit manufactured with carbon fiber yarn has a limit that it cannot perform such functions at all. As a way for solving such problems, a method of stitching an extra conductive wire such as copper wire to clothes can be suggested, but because a copper wire does not have any stretchability at all, the freedom of motion and wearability as clothes are not good. Another disadvantage is that it is very inconvenient to use it because the conductive wire and control buttons installed in the clothes have to be removed to wash them.
• Accordingly, as a scheme for solving the above mentioned conventional problems, the present applicant has filed Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0050545 (title of invention: Electrically conductive pad and manufacturing method thereof), Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0128928 (title of invention: Electrically conductive pad), and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0043932 (title of invention: Electrically conductive pad and manufacturing method thereof).
• According to these patents, it is possible to make fabrics having stretchability by a method of weaving conductive wires, so it is possible to make them perform heating action without sewing extra conductive wires or realize beds or clothes that can conduct electricity or perform the function of transmitting electric signals.
• However, the electrically conductive fabrics that the present applicant earlier filed for a patent therefor has a disadvantage that it is cumbersome to do the work of tying the woven conductive wire together with the fabric yarn into a fabric to configure connection or a circuit with the power supply unit or the work of connecting various elements or modules. In other words, because the worker has to find one by one the electrically conductive wires contained in the fiber yarn configuring electrically conductive woven fabrics to connect each other, it has disadvantages that the work of finding the electrically conductive wires is hard and takes time so as to cause the deterioration of workability and productivity and the fiber yarns nearby are damaged in the course of finding the electrically conductive wires.
DISCLOSURETechnical Problem
• The present invention is directed to solve conventional problems described above and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrically conductive fabric with workability and productivity improved by quickly and conveniently carrying out the tying of electrically conductive wires and connection of various elements and modules by selectively exposing part of electrically conductive wires woven together with the fabrics to the outside of the fabrics, and a manufacturing method and an apparatus thereof.
Technical Solution
• In order to accomplish the foregoing purposes of the present invention, there is provided an electrically conductive fabric comprising: multiple strands of warps arranged lengthwise; multiple strands of wefts knitted with the warps: and at least one strand of electrically conductive wire arranged lengthwise and woven in a planar shape, wherein an electrically conductive wire weaving section in which the electrically conductive wire is knitted to the warp and/or weft to be bound monolithically to the electrically conductive fabric and an electrically conductive wire exposing section in which the electrically conductive wire is not knitted to the warp and/or weft but is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length are repetitively formed.
• The electrically conductive fabric may further comprise a binding-and-releasing weft which is fed simultaneously at the time of weaving the electrically conductive wire, wherein the binding-and-releasing weft is knitted with the warp and/or weft so that the electrically conductive wire is knitted so as to be bound to the warp and/or weft in the electrically conductive wire weaving section, and is knitted with the warp and/or weft so that the electrically conductive wire is knitted so as not to be bound to the warp and/or weft in the electrically conductive wire exposing section.
• Preferably, the weft includes a first warp-knitting weft which is knitted with the warp on the inside of the electrically conductive wire; a second warp-knitting weft which is knitted with the warp so as to provide a feeding free zone which is not knitted in the range of the width corresponding to the placement width of the electrically conductive wire on the outside of the electrically conductive wire; and a binding-and-releasing weft which is knitted with the warp so as to selectively bind the electrically conductive wire at the position corresponding to the feeding free zone, and the binding-and-releasing weft is knitted in such a way that the electrically conductive wire is bound together to the warp and the first warp-knitting weft in the electrically conductive wire weaving section, and is knitted in the range where the electrically conductive wire is not to be bound to the warp and the first warp-knitting weft in the electrically conductive wire exposing section.
• In order to accomplish the foregoing purposes of the present invention, there is also provided an electrically conductive fabric manufacturing method comprising a warp feeding process for feeding multiple strands of warp lengthwise, a weft feeding process for feeding multiple strands of weft, and a fabric weaving process in which the weft is knitted to the warp by a weaving machine, the method characterized by further comprising: an electrically conductive wire feeding process for feeding at least one strand of electrically conductive wire in the weft feeding direction, wherein the fabric weaving process includes an electrically conductive wire weaving process for weaving together the electrically conductive wire, and wherein the electrically conductive wire weaving process includes an electrically conductive wire weaving step for knitting the electrically conductive wire with the warp, and an electrically conductive wire exposing step in which the electrically conductive wire is fed while the electrically conductive wire weaving step is under way but is made not to be knitted with the warp so that the electrically conductive wire is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length.
• In order to accomplish the foregoing purposes of the present invention, there is also provided an electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus comprising: a warp weaving unit for weaving lengthwise multiple strands of warp fed from a warp feeding unit; a weft weaving unit for weaving multiple strands of weft fed from a weft feeding unit; an electrically conductive wire weaving unit for weaving at least one strand of electrically conductive wire fed from an electrically conductive wire feeding unit; a warp guiding unit which pulls the warp on the side of the warp weaving unit to make possible the weaving action of the warp, weft and electrically conductive wire through interaction between the weft weaving unit and the electrically conductive wire weaving unit, and a weaving unit driving device which operates the warp weaving unit, the weft weaving unit, the electrically conductive wire weaving unit and the warp guiding unit to knit the weft in the direction perpendicular to the warp, and selectively knits the electrically conductive wire with the warp.
• In order to accomplish the foregoing purposes of the present invention, there is further provided an electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus comprising: a warp weaving unit for weaving lengthwise multiple strands of warp fed from a warp feeding unit; a first weft weaving unit which is positioned on one side of the electrically conductive wire weaving unit to weave with the warp the multiple strands of the first warp-knitting weft fed from the weft feeding unit so as to form one side face of the electrically conductive fabric; a second weft weaving unit which is positioned on the other side of the electrically conductive wire weaving unit to weave with the warp the multiple strands of the second warp-knitting weft fed from the weft feeding unit so as to form the other side face of the electrically conductive fabric; a warp guiding unit which is positioned in opposition so as to pull the warp on the side of the warp weaving unit, and operates so that the warp, the first and second warp-knitting wefts and electrically conductive wire are knitted through interaction between the first and second weaving units and the electrically conductive wire weaving unit; and a weaving unit driving device which operates the warp weaving unit, the first and second weft weaving units, the electrically conductive wire weaving unit and the warp guiding unit so that the first and second warp-knitting wefts is knitted in the direction perpendicular to the warp and the electrically conductive wire is knitted selectively in the warp direction.
Advantageous Effects
• According to the electrically conductive fabric and the manufacturing method and apparatus thereof of the present invention, there is provided an effect of being able to carry out tying or connecting work quickly and conveniently by forming electrically conductive wire exposing sections for the portions for tying electrically conductive wires or connecting various elements or modules, since they are provided with electrically conductive wire weaving sections where electrically conductive wires are knitted with warp and/or weft to be bound monolithically to an electrically conductive fabric and electrically conductive wire exposing sections where electrically conductive wires are not knitted with warp and/or weft to be exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive woven fabrics by a predetermined length. Accordingly, it is possible to remarkably improve workability and productivity in the manufacture, maintenance and use of goods using electrically conductive fabrics.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1ais a view for describing an electrically conductive fabric according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIGS. 1band1care sectional views schematically showing the structure for describing the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 1dis a view showing a first modification of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 1eis a view showing a second modification of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 1fis a view showing a third modification of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2ais a view showing the appearance of the whole to describe an electrically conductive fabric according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
• FIGS. 2bto2dare views showing the major part for describing the electrically conductive fabric according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the process for describing the manufacturing method of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 4ais a schematic view showing the configuration of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 4bis a schematic view showing the configuration of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 5ais a front view schematically showing the overall structure of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 5bis an enlarged perspective view of portion F ofFIG. 5a;
• FIG. 6ais a perspective view of the major part of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 6bis a perspective view of the major part of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 7 is a block diagram for describing the manufacturing method of the electrically conductive fabric according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the major part of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
BEST MODE
• Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in conjunction with accompanying drawings, especially,FIGS. 1ato9. Referring toFIGS. 1ato9, the same reference numbers are given for the same constitutional elements. Conventional technical configurations and functional effects thereof, which are easily conceived or understood by persons having ordinary skill in the related art, will be briefly described or omitted from detailed description. Instead, the foregoing inventive drawings may substantially illustrate subject matters relating to the present invention.
• The attachedFIG. 1ais a view for describing an electrically conductive fabric according to a first embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 1bandFIG. 1care sectional views schematically showing the structure for describing the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention, whereinFIG. 1bshows the cross section of the electrically conductive wire weaving section, andFIG. 1cshows the cross section of the electrically conductive wire exposing section. In the description below, the warp refers to linear yarn arranged lengthwise of the electrically conductive fabric and the weft refers to the linear yarn knitted with the warp.
• As shown inFIGS. 1ato1c, the electrically conductive fabric according to the present invention is a fabric selectively comprising electrically conductive wires for heating that are formed in planar cloth and performs a heating action when electric current is supplied, electrically conductive wires for conduction of electric current and electrically conductive wire for signal transmission for transmitting electric signals. This fabric includes the multiple strands ofwarp11 arranged lengthwise, plural strands ofweft12 knitted in the direction perpendicular to thewarp11, and plural strands of electricallyconductive wires13 arranged lengthwise and woven.
• Especially the electricallyconductive fabric1 according to the present invention is characterized by being repetitively composed of the electrically conductive wire weaving sections a in which the electricallyconductive wire13 is knitted with thewarp11 and/orweft12 to be monolithically bound to the electrically conductive fabric as shown inFIGS. 1aand1b, and electrically conductive wire exposing sections b in which the electricallyconductive wire13 is not knitted with the warp and/or weft but is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length as shown inFIGS. 1aand1c.
• Thewarp11 is composed by applying common fiber yarn for the case of composing the electricallyconductive fabric1 so as not to have stretchability lengthwise, and by applying stretchable fiber yarn such as span yarn for the case of composing the electricallyconductive fabric1 so as to have stretchability lengthwise.
• Theweft12 is composed by applying common fiber yarn; in case high strength is needed, it is composed by applying high-tension fiber yarn such as Kevlar yarn and aramid yarn.
• The electricallyconductive wire13, as shown in enlargement inFIG. 1a, is composed by applying the one that is wound and formed into one bundle to sheathe plural strands of insulated electricallyconductive yarn131 with plural strands offiber yarn132. At this time, the electricallyconductive yarn131 can embodied by selecting yarns having various materials and diameters if they can conduct electric current, but in the present embodiment, they were selected from metal yarns (commonly called enamel wires) in which insulated sheathed layers are formed on stainless wires, titanium wires, copper wires, etc. having diameters of tens to hundreds of micrometers (μm) and plural strands offiber yarn132 are wound on the outer circumference as an outer layer. And the number of strands of the electricallyconductive yarn131 composing the electricallyconductive wire13 can be varied according to the use, purpose, etc. of electrically conductive fabric, but in the present embodiment the electrically conductive yarn is composed by bundling 5 to 20 strands into one.
• And the electricallyconductive wire13 is woven so as to be arranged in a straight form structure or wave form structure along the direction of the warp. At this time, in the case that the electricallyconductive wire13 is woven in a straight form structure, it is preferable to compose such that the electrically conductive wire has stretchability as shown in the second modification to be described later.
MODE FOR INVENTION
• Next,FIG. 1dis a view showing the first modification of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention; as shown in the drawing, the electrically conductive fabric includessupport wires15 which are woven along the placement path of the electrically conductive wire.
• Thesupport wires15 are woven on the left and right of the electricallyconductive wire13 to bind it to the warp and weft so as to prevent deformation. Namely, if the electricallyconductive wire13 is composed of metal yarn, it is protruded to the surface or back of the electricallyconductive fabric1 due to the difference in flexibility from the fiber yarn supplied as the weft and warp. At this time, since thesupport wires15 perform the function of holding the weft and warp on the left and right as reinforcement wires, the twist of the electrically conductive wire can be prevented. For this purpose, it is preferable that thesupport wire15 has a plurality of fiber yarns twisted and a diameter (denier) greater than the weft and warp.
• FIG. 1eis a view showing a second modification of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The fabric illustrated in this embodiment is composed into a planar body having electrically conductive wire weaving sections a and electrically conductive wire exposing sections b by using the multiple strands ofwarp11 arranged lengthwise, multiple strands ofweft12 knitted in the direction perpendicular to the warp, and plural strands of electricallyconductive wires13 arranged and woven lengthwise. At this time, the electricallyconductive wire13 is woven so as to be arranged in a straight form structure along the warp direction.
• At this time, the electricallyconductive wire13, as shown in enlargement inFIG. 1e, includes a stretchableinner wire133 disposed in the inner center and formed of material having stretchability like span yarn, plural strands of insulated electricallyconductive yarn134 wound on theinner wire133, andouter layer135 wound so as to have stretchability by winding plural strands of fiber yarn on the outer circumference of the electricallyconductive yarn134.
• FIG. 1fis a view showing a third modification of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cross section of the electrically conductive wire weaving section is illustrated, and the electrically conductive wire exposing section is omitted.
• With reference toFIG. 1f, the electrically conductive fabric is composed in such a way that it has electrically conductive wire weaving sections a in which the electrically conductive wire is embedded in the planar body and electrically conductive wire exposing sections b in which the electrically conductive wire is exposed to the outside of the planar body, by making the electricallyconductive wire13 bound selectively to thewarp11 and/orweft12 by an extra binding-and-releasingweft14.
• Namely, the binding-and-releasingweft14 is supplied together when the electricallyconductive wire13 is woven to be knitted to the warp and/or weft so that it is bound thereto in the electrically conductive wire weaving sections a, while the electricallyconductive wire13 is knitted to the warp and/or weft so as not to be bound to the electricallyconductive fabric1 in the electrically conductive wire exposing section b.
• FIG. 2ais a view schematically showing the appearance of the whole for describing the electrically conductive fabric according to the second embodiment of the present invention, andFIGS. 2bto2dare views showing the major part for describing the electrically conductive fabric according to the second embodiment of the present invention, whereinFIG. 2bis a view showing a part of part C ofFIG. 2a, which is the electrically conductive wire weaving section;FIG. 2cis a view showing a part of part D ofFIG. 2a, which is the electrically conductive wire exposing section; andFIG. 2dis a view showing part B ofFIG. 2a, which is an area where the electrically conductive wire is not arranged. Duplicated explanation is omitted for compositions identical or similar to the first embodiment. Also, in the second embodiment of the present invention, although the electrically conductive wire can be woven in such a way that it can be arranged in a straight form structure or wave form structure along the warp direction in the same manner as in the first embodiment mentioned above, only the one arranged in the wave form structure will be described.
• With reference toFIGS. 2ato2candFIG. 2d, the electricallyconductive fabric1′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes multiple strands ofwarp11 arranged lengthwise, multiple strands ofweft12 knitted in the direction perpendicular to thewarp11, and plural strands of electricallyconductive wires13 arranged lengthwise and woven. At this time, theweft12 includes a first warp-knitting weft12athat is knitted with thewarp11 at the position corresponding to the inside of the electricallyconductive wire13, asecond weft12b(seeFIG. 2d) for knitting the warp that is knitted with thewarp13 so as to provide a feeding free zone in the range of width corresponding to the placement width of the electricallyconductive wire13 at the position corresponding to the outside of the electricallyconductive wire13, and a binding-and-releasingweft12c(seeFIGS. 2band2c) that is knitted with the warp so as to selectively bind the electricallyconductive wire13 at the position corresponding to the feeding free zone.
• The binding-and-releasingweft12cis composed by being knitted such that the electrically conductive wire is bound together with thewarp11 and the first warp-knitting weft12a, in the electrically conductive wire weaving section a (seeFIGS. 2aand2b), and by being knitted within the range where the electricallyconductive wire13 is not bound with thewarp11 and the first warp-knitting weft12a, in the electrically conductive wire exposing section b (seeFIGS. 2aand2c).
• And the electricallyconductive wire13 is woven so as to make a waveform structure, and on both sides of the placement path of the electricallyconductive wire13, it is possible to compose in such a way that thesupport yarn15 is woven to support the electrically conductive wire, in a way similar to the first embodiment.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the process for describing the manufacturing method of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• With reference toFIG. 3, the manufacturing method of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention relates to the method of manufacturing an electrically conductive fabric of a shape illustrated inFIG. 1aby weaving machine. This manufacturing method comprises a warp feeding process (S1) for feeding multiple strands of warp lengthwise, a weft feeding process (S2) for feeding multiple strands of weft, an electrically conductive wire feeding process (S3) for feeding the electrically conductive wire in the weft feeding direction, and a fabric weaving process (S4) for knitting the weft in the direction perpendicular to the warp. The fabric weaving process (S4) further comprises an electrically conductive wire weaving process (S41) for weaving the electricallyconductive wire13 as well.
• In the process for knitting thewarp11 andweft12 with each other, the electrically conductive wire weaving process (S4) is characterized by including an electrically conductive wire weaving step (S411) in which the electricallyconductive wire13 is knitted with thewarp11 and/orweft12, and an electrically conductive wire exposing step (S412) in which the electricallyconductive wire13 is fed while the electrically conductive wire weaving step (S411) is under way but the electricallyconductive wire13 is made not to be knitted with thewarp11 and/orweft12 so that it is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length.
• In the warp feeding process (S1) and the weft feeding process (S2), the warp and weft, which are fiber yarns, are wound and prepared on the reel respectively in the same manner as the ordinary weaving process of fabrics, and the warp is fed to the warp weaving unit of the weaving machine, and the weft is fed to the weft weaving unit of the weaving machine.
• In the electrically conductive wire weaving step (S411) to weave an electrically conductive fabric of the shape as shown inFIG. 1a, theweft12 is knitted with thewarp11 in such a way that the electricallyconductive wire13 is knitted and bound to both of thewarp11 and theweft12.
• And in the electrically conductive wire exposing step (S412), theweft12 is knitted with thewarp11 in such a way that theweft12 is not knitted with the electricallyconductive wire13.
• Meanwhile, in the case of weaving an electrically conductive fabric of the shape as illustrated inFIG. 1f, the electricallyconductive wire13 is not bound by theweft12, but the electricallyconductive wire13 is knitted and bound to thewarp11 and/or theweft12. For this purpose, a separate binding-and-releasing weft feeding process (S5) is implemented for feeding the binding-and-releasingweft14, so that an electrically conductive wire weaving process (S41) becomes possible.
• In the electrically conductive wire weaving step (S411), the electricallyconductive wire13 is knitted and bound to the electrically conductive fabric through the process for knitting the binding-and-releasingweft14 with thewarp11 and/orweft12. And the electrically conductive wire weaving step (S411) weaves in such a way that the electricallyconductive wire13 is arranged in a straight form structure of a waveform structure along the direction of the warp.
• In addition, the electrically conductive exposing step (S412) carries out the process for knitting and binding the binding-and-releasingweft14 to thewarp11, in such a way that the binding-and-releasingweft14 is not knitted with the electricallyconductive wire13.
• The electrically conductive fabric manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be carried out by the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus to be described in detail below.
• FIG. 4ais a schematic view showing the configuration of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 4bis a schematic view showing the configuration of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 5ais a front view schematically showing the overall structure of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 5bis an enlarged perspective view of portion F ofFIG. 5a,FIG. 6ais a perspective view of the major part of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 6bis a perspective view of the major part of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Specifically,FIGS. 6aand6bare views showing awarp weaving unit310, aweb weaving unit320, an electrically conductivewire weaving unit330, and awarp guiding unit340.
• With reference toFIGS. 4a,5a,5band6a, the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes awarp feeding unit210, aweft feeding unit220 and an electrically conductivewire feeding unit230 for feeding thewarp11, theweft12 and the electricallyconductive wire13, respectively; and thewarp weaving unit310, theweft weaving unit320, the electrically conductivewire weaving unit330, and thewarp guiding unit340 which are arranged on aframe300 so as to carry out the weaving process; and a weavingunit driving device350.
• Thewarp feeding unit210, theweft feeding unit220 and the electrically conductivewire feeding unit230 are reels on which thewarp11, theweft12 and the electricallyconductive wire13 are wound, respectively, as shown inFIG. 4a. They are composed in quantities corresponding to the quantity of strands of the warp, weft and electrically conductive wire required for weaving the electrically conductive fabric, and are mounted on areel mounting deck200. At this time, the reels are spools for winding the warp, weft and electrically conductive wire, and they are of such a structure in which circular retaining plates are installed on both sides of the center winding rod.
• Thewarp weaving unit310 is of such a composition in which multiple strands ofwarp11 fed from thewarp feeding unit210 are woven lengthwise, as shown inFIGS. 4aand6a. There is a plurality of warp needles312, on which thewarp11 thread are arranged, on thefirst support311 installed laterally on theframe300.
• The electrically conductivewire weaving unit330 is of a composition in which at least one strand of the electricallyconductive wire13 fed from the electrically conductivewire feeding unit230 is woven. There is at least one or more electrically conductive wire needles332, on which the electrically conductive wire threads on thesecond support331 that is positioned above thewarp weaving unit310 and installed laterally are arranged, and above thesecond support331 is laterally installed an electrically conductivewire guiding rod333 to guide the movement of the electricallyconductive wire13.
• Theweft weaving unit320 is for weaving the multiple strands ofweft12 fed from theweft feeding unit220. In it are arranged a plurality of weft needles322 threaded with theweft12 on thethird support321 which is laterally installed in contact with thesecond support331, and above thissupport321 is laterally installed aweft guiding rod323 to guide the movement of the weft.
• Thewarp guiding unit340 pulls thewarp11 on the side of thewarp weaving unit310 and operates so as to have thewarp11, theweft12 and the electricallyconductive wire13 knitted through interaction between theweft weaving unit320 and the electrically conductivewire weaving unit330. In it are installed in array a plurality of pull needles342 which hook and pull thewarp11 threaded into thewarp needle312 on thefourth support341 installed laterally in opposition to thefirst support311. And thepull needle342 is formed in such a structure in which a hook (nose) is formed at the end of the needle station, so that it can hook and tie thewarp11 on the side of thewarp needle312 when moving forward and can pull the warp when moving backward.
• The weavingunit driving device350 is of a composition for operating thewarp weaving unit310, theweft weaving unit320, the electrically conductivewire weaving unit330 and thewarp guiding unit340 so that theweft12 can be knitted in the direction perpendicular to the progressingwarp11 and the electricallyconductive wire13 can be knitted selectively with thewarp11. Since it is composed in such a way that it is possible to selectively regulate the operating area of thewarp weaving unit310, theweft weaving unit320 and the electrically conductivewire weaving unit330, the electricallyconductive wire13 is woven, while repetitively forming the electrically conductive wire weaving section a in which the electricallyconductive wire13 is knitted with thewarp11 and/orweft12 to be bound monolithically to the electricallyconductive fabric1, and the electrically conductive wire exposing section b in which the electricallyconductive wire13 is not knitted with the warp and/or weft but is exposed to the outside of the electricallyconductive fabric1 by a predetermined length.
• And the weavingunit driving device350 is composed, as shown inFIG. 5a, in such a way that it is connected so as to transmit driving force to the first tofourth supports311,331,321 and341 to have thefirst support311 make translational motion upward and downward, have the second and thethird supports331 and321 make translational motion laterally, upward and downward, and have thefourth support341 make translational motion forward and backward. For this purpose, the weavingunit driving device350 includes a firstsupport driving unit351, a fourthsupport driving unit352, a support lifting-loweringunit353 and alateral driving unit354.
• The firstsupport driving unit351 is for moving thefirst support311 up and down. It elevates thefirst support311 to lift thewarp needle312 so that thepull needle342 can hook and tie thewarp11 easily as it moves forward according to the advancing action of thefourth support341 and moves thewarp needle312 downward as thefirst support311 descends when thefourth support341 moves backward. As long as the firstsupport driving unit351 is of a structure whereby thefirst support311 can be moved up and down, it can be composed in such a way that it has various mechanisms without any particular limit. For example, the firstsupport driving unit351 can be composed in such a way that a cam (now shown) is installed on the axis rotated by a motor (not shown) so as to move thefirst support311 up and down according to the rotating action of the cam, or can be composed of an electric cylinder (not shown) or pneumatic cylinder (not shown) to move the first support up and down according to the forward and backward motion of the rod. Besides, the firstsupport driving unit351 may as well be composed by a belt driving device (not shown) provided with a motor, pulleys, and a timing belt, etc.
• The fourthsupport driving unit352 is of a composition for moving thefourth support341 forward and backward. As long as thefourth support341 can be moved forward and backward so that thepull needle342 can be moved forward and backward, it can be composed in such a way that it has widely known various mechanisms such as a motor with a cam, electric cylinder and pneumatic cylinder.
• The support lifting-loweringunits353 are for moving the second and thethird supports331 and321 up and down. They are installed on both sides of theframe300 as shown inFIG. 5aand consist of a lifting-loweringblock353ainto which the second and thethird supports331 and321 are inserted, and a lifting-loweringdevice353bfor moving up and down the lifting-loweringblock353a. At this time, the lifting-loweringdevice353bmay be composed of an electric cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, motor with cam, belt driving device, etc.
• Thelateral driving unit354 is for moving the second and thethird supports331 and321 laterally as shown inFIGS. 5aand5b. It includes a connectingrod354acomposed in a matching quantity so as to be connected with the one end portion of the second and thethird supports331 and321 on one side of theframe300, acam member354bconnected to each connectingrod354a, amotor354cwhich provides driving force to the second and the third supports as thecam member354bis connected to its output axis, and asensor354dthat detects the pivot angle of thecam member354band sends the detected signal to the control unit (not shown) to control the drive of themotor354c.
• Meanwhile, the apparatus for manufacturing the electrically conductive fabric of the shape illustrated inFIG. 1fmay further include aweaving unit360 for binding and releasing to weave the binding-and-releasingweft14 that knits and ties the electricallyconductive wire13 to thewarp11 and/orweft12, instead of the electricallyconductive wire13 which is not bound by theweft12 as shown inFIGS. 4band6b.
• Theweaving unit360 for binding and releasing is for knitting in such a way that the electricallyconductive wire13 is bound to thewarp11 and/orweft12 in the electrically conductive wire weaving section a by using plural strands of weft fed from aweft feeding unit240 installed on thereel mounting deck200, and for knitting with thewarp11 and/orweft12 in the electrically conductive wire exposing section b in such a way that the electricallyconductive wire13 is not to be bound to the electricallyconductive fabric1.
• In addition, theweaving unit360 for binding and releasing is installed in such a way that a plurality of binding and releasingneedles362, which the binding-and-releasingweft14 threads on thefifth support361 installed laterally at the opposing position of thethird support321 opposed to thesecond support331, are positioned in the placement area of the electricallyconductive wire13.
• Also, the weavingunit driving device350 is composed in such a way that thefifth support361 is moved laterally and in the up and down directions, but the lateral translational motion of thefifth support361 is operated within the range where the binding-and-releasingweft14 is knitted to the electricallyconductive wire13 in the electrically conductive wire weaving section a, and the lateral translational motion of thefifth support361 is operated within the range where the binding-and-releasingweft14 is not knitted with the electricallyconductive wire13 in the electrically conductive wire exposing section b.
• For this purpose, thefifth support361 is inserted and installed in the lifting-loweringblock353aof the support lifting-loweringunit353 composed to move up and down the second and thethird supports331 and321, and the weaving unit driving device further includes anotherlateral driving unit354, which is composed of the connectingrod354a,cam member354b,motor354candsensor354d, to move the fifth support laterally.
• Meanwhile, the numeral301 shown inFIG. 5ais an input unit for inputting the drive signals of the weavingunit driving device350, and according to the signals inputted from theinput unit301, the control unit (not shown) can control the weavingunit driving device350 to regulate the knitted shape of warp and weft, the laterally moved distance of the electrically conductive wire, the width of the electrically conductive wire bent portion if the electrically conductive wire is knitted in a waveform structure, the number of bent times, etc.
• FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the process for describing the manufacturing method of the electrically conductive fabric according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
• With reference toFIG. 7, the manufacturing method of the electrically conductive fabric according to the second embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an electric conductive fabric of the shape illustrated inFIGS. 2ato2d, and likewise as the manufacturing method of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment described above, it comprises a warp feeding process (S1), weft feeding process (S2), electrically conductive wire feeding process (S3) and a fabric weaving process (S4), which includes an electrically conductive wire weaving process (S41) for weaving electrically conductive wires as well.
• The electrically conductive wire weaving process (S41) comprises an electrically conductive wire weaving step (S411) for knitting the electricallyconductive wire13 with thewarp11, and an electrically conductive wire exposing step (S412) in which the electricallyconductive wire13 is fed while the electrically conductive wire weaving step (S411) is under way but it is made not to be knitted with thewarp11 so that it is exposed to the outside of the electricallyconductive fabric1′ by a predetermined length.
• The weft feeding process (S2) includes the first weft feeding process (S21), the second weft feeding process (S22) and the binding-and-releasing weft feeding process (S23).
• The first weft feeding process (S21) is for feeding the first warp-knitting weft12athat is knitted with thewarp11 inside of the electricallyconductive wire13, and the weft face arrayed on the inner surface of the electricallyconductive fabric1′ after the electrically conductive wire weaving process (S41) carried out is formed in this process.
• In the second waft feeding process (S22, seeFIGS. 2cand2d), the second warp-knitting weft12bthat is knitted with thewarp11 outside of the electricallyconductive wire13 is fed, but in the range of width corresponding to the placement width of the electricallyconductive wire13, the feeding of second warp-knitting weft is excluded to provide a feeding free zone.
• The binding-and-releasing weft feeding process (S23, seeFIG. 2b) is to feed the binding-and-releasingweft12cto be used for knitting and tying the electricallyconductive wire13 selectively to thewarp11 at a separated position corresponding to the feeding free zone formed in the second weft feeding process (S22).
• The electrically conductive wire weaving step (S411, see area a ofFIG. 2a) simultaneously carries out the process of knitting and tying to thewarp11 the first and second warp-knitting wefts12aand12band the binding-and-releasingwefts12c(seeFIG. 2d), in such a way that the electricallyconductive wire13 is knitted and bound by the binding-and-releasingweft12cto both of thewarp11 and the first warp-knitting weft12a(seeFIG. 2b). And in the electrically conductive wire weaving step (S411) the electricallyconductive wire13 can be woven also in a straight form structure along the direction of thewarp11, but in the present embodiment the electricallyconductive wire13 is arranged and woven in a wave form structure.
• And in the electrically conductive wire exposing step (S412, see area b ofFIG. 2a) the first and second warp-knitting wefts12aand12bare knitted to the warp11 (seeFIG. 2d), and the binding-and-releasingweft12cis knitted to the warp, but in such a way that the electrically conductive wire is knitted within the range where it is not bound to the warp and the first warp-knitting weft (seeFIG. 2c). If work is carried out in such a way that the binding-and-releasingweft12cis not knitted to the electrically conductive wire but knitted only to thewarp11 by minifying the laterally moving range of thefifth support361 to be described later, the electricallyconductive wire13 is exposed to the outside of the electricallyconductive fabric1′ to form an electrically conductive wire exposing section b.
• Meanwhile, in the electrically conductive wire weaving step (S411), it is preferable to weave by feeding thesupport wire15 together with the electricallyconductive wire13 so as to be arranged on the left and right sides along the placement path, in order to prevent the protrusion or twisting of the electricallyconductive wire13 woven in the electricallyconductive fabric1′. For this purpose, it is preferable to install asupport wire needle334 on thesecond support331 that corresponds to the left and right sides of the electricallyconductive wire needle332 for weaving the electricallyconductive wire13 as will be described later (seeFIG. 9) and thread thesupport wire needle334 with thesupport wire15 to feed it.
• Such an electrically conductive fabric manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be carried out by an electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus to be described in detail below.
• FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the composition of an electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 9 is a perspective view of the major part of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The overall appearance structure and a weavingunit driving device350 of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, so detailed illustration is omitted. And a duplicated description is omitted for the composition similar to the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
• With reference toFIGS. 5a,5b,8 and9, the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes awarp feeding unit210 for feeding thewarp11, aweft feeding unit220 for feeding the first and second warp-knitting wefts12aand12b, and the binding-and-releasingweft12c, and an electrically conductivewire feeding unit230 for feeding the electricallyconductive wire13; awarp weaving unit310, a firstweft weaving unit370, a secondweft weaving unit380, an electrically conductivewire weaving unit330, awarp guiding unit340 composed on theframe300 to carry out the weaving process; and the weavingunit driving device350.
• Thewarp feeding unit210, theweft feeding unit220 and the electrically conductivewire feeding unit230 are composed of reels on which the warp, weft and electrically conductive wire are wound, respectively, in the same manner as the first embodiment, but since the wefts of the second embodiment are divided into the first and second warp-knitting wefts12aand12b, and the binding-and-releasingweft12c, each reel is installed separately.
• Thewarp weaving unit310 is of a composition for weaving lengthwise the multiple strands of the warp fed from thewarp feeding unit210, and in it are installed a plurality of warp needles312 which thewarp11 threads on thefirst support311 installed laterally on theframe300.
• The electrically conductivefabric weaving unit330 is of a composition in which at least one strand of electricallyconductive wire13 is fed from the electrically conductivewire feeding unit230 positioned above thewarp weaving unit310, and in it are installed at least one electricallyconductive wire needle332 on which the electricallyconductive wire13 threads in thesecond support331 installed laterally.
• And it is preferable to install in the second support331 asupport wire needle334 on which thesupport wire15 is thread on the left and right of the electricallyconductive wire needle332, so that it is possible to weave thesupport wire15 so as to be arranged on the left and right of the placement path of the electricallyconductive wire13, as shown inFIG. 9. At this time, thesupport wire needle334 is installed at a given clearance from the electricallyconductive wire332 so as to match the clearance of thesupport wire15.
• Thewarp guiding unit340 is positioned in opposition so that it can pull thewarp11 on the side of thewarp weaving unit310. It is operated in such a way that the first and second warp-knitting wefts12aand12band the electricallyconductive wire13 are knitted through interaction between the first and secondweft weaving units370 and380 and thewarp weaving unit310. In it are installed a plurality of pull needles342 for hooking and pulling thewarp11 threaded into thewarp needle312 on thefourth support341 installed laterally.
• The firstweft weaving unit370 is positioned on one side of the electrically conductivewire weaving unit330 to weave on thewarp11 the multiple strands of thefirst weft12afor knitting warp fed from theweft feeding unit220 so as to form one side face of the electricallyconductive fabric1′. In it are arranged a plurality of weft needles372 into which are fed the first warp-knitting weft12aon a third-asupport371 installed laterally in contact with the inner side of thesecond support331, and above the third-asupport371 is installed laterally aweft guiding bar373 so as to guide the movement of the first warp-knitting weft.
• The secondweft weaving unit380 is positioned on the other side of the electrically conductivewire weaving unit330 to weave with thewarp11 the multiple strands of the second warp-knitting weft12bfed from theweft feeding unit220 so as to form the other side face of the electricallyconductive fabric1′. On a third-b support381 installed laterally in contact with the outside of thesecond support331 facing the third-asupport371 are arranged a plurality of weft needles382 threaded by the second warp-knitting weft12, and above the third-b support371 is installed laterally aweft guiding bar383 to guide the movement of the second warp-knitting weft12b.
• The weavingunit driving device350 operates thewarp weaving unit310, the first and secondweft weaving units370 and380, the electrically conductivewire weaving unit330 and thewarp guiding unit340 so that the first and second warp-knitting wefts12aand12bare knitted perpendicular to thewarp11 and the electricallyconductive wire13 is knitted selectively in the direction of the warp.
• In particular, the weavingunit driving device350 can selectively regulate the operation areas of the first and secondweft weaving units370 and380, the electrically conductivewire weaving unit330, etc., so it is characterized by being able to weave an electrically conductive fabric having the electrically conductive wire weaving section a in which the electricallyconductive wire13 is knitted with thewarp11 and/or the first and second warp-knitting wefts12aand12bso as to be bound monolithically to the electricallyconductive fabric1′, and the electrically conductive wire exposing section b in which the electrically conductive wire is not knitted to the warp and/or the first and second warp-knitting wefts but is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric.
• For this purpose, the weavingunit driving device350 includes a firstsupport driving unit351, which is instrumentally connected so as to transmit driving force to the first to fourth supports in order to have thefirst support311 make translational motion upward and downward, and the second, third-a and third-b supports331,371 and381 make translational motion laterally and upward and downward, and thefourth support341 make translational motion forward and backward, and a fourthsupport driving unit352, a support lifting-loweringunit353 and alateral driving unit354. Although detailed description is omitted because it is similar to the aforementioned first embodiment, thelateral driving unit354 further includes a connectingrod354afor driving the third-b support381,cam member354b,motor354candsensor354d.
• Meanwhile, the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment is characterized in that the secondweft weaving unit380 has a needle free section e in which theweft needle382 is not positioned in the range of width corresponding to the placement width of the electricallyconductive wire needle332, and that it includes aweaving unit360 for binding and releasing which selectively knits the binding-and-releasingweft12cto the area corresponding the needle free section e.
• In theweaving unit360 for binding and releasing, aneedle363 for knitting electrically conductive yarn in the area corresponding to the needle free section e is arranged in thefifth support361 which is positioned in contact with the secondweft weaving unit380 and is moved laterally and upward and downward by the weavingunit driving device350.
• Thefifth support361 carries out the weaving process while moving the electrically conductive yarn-knitting needle362 according to the action of the weavingunit driving device350 so as to form the electrically conductive wire weaving section a and the electrically conductive wire exposing section b. In other words, as shown inFIGS. 2band9, in the electrically conductive wire weaving section a, it operates the moved distance (the lateral translational motion range of the fifth support) of the electrically conductive yarn-knitting needle362 by limiting to the range in which the binding-and-releasingweft12cis knitted with the electricallyconductive wire13, and as shown inFIGS. 2cand9, in the electrically conductive wire exposing section b, it operates the moved distance (the lateral translational motion range of the fifth support) of the electrically conductive yarn-knitting needle362 by limiting to the range in which the binding-and-releasingweft12cis not knitted with the electricallyconductive wire13.
• Meanwhile, the process for weaving electrically conductive fabric will be described briefly by using the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the present second embodiment.
• First, theinput unit301 is set such that in the electrically conductive wire weaving section a, the electricallyconductive wire13 is knitted in a waveform structure and the electrically conductive wire exposing section b is formed at a predetermined interval and operates the weavingunit driving device350, then thewarp11 is moved up and down by the action of the firstsupport driving unit351 to be fed toward thepull needle342. Accordingly, thepull needle342 positioned in thefourth support341 that is moved forward and backward according to the action of the fourthsupport driving unit352 pulls thewarp11 to form a loop, and the weaving process is carried out as the second, third-a, third-b andfifth supports331,371,381 and361 make translational motion upward and downward and laterally by the action of the support lifting-loweringunit353 andlateral driving unit354.
• To describe this in more detail, as thefourth support341 advances at the time of rising action of thefirst support311, thepull needle342 advances, and simultaneously as the second, third-a, third-b andfifth supports331,371,381 and361 are elevated, it moves toward the lateral side (in the direction of lateral driving unit side). Subsequently as the descending action of thefirst support311 and the backing action of thefourth support341 are carried out simultaneously, thepull needle342 pulls thewarp11 to form a loop, and at this time, the second, third-a, third-b andfifth supports331,371,381 and361 descend gradually, continuing one lateral (toward the lateral driving unit) movement by the moved distance set respectively, and the first and second warp-knitting wefts, electrically conductive wire and the binding-and-releasingwefts12a,12b,13 and12care knitted with thewarp11.
• Subsequently, as thefirst support311 rises and thefourth support341 advances thepull needle342 advances, and the second, third-a, third-b andfifth supports331,371,381 and361 move toward the other lateral side (the opposite direction of the lateral driving unit) together with a rising action. Continuously the descending action of thefirst support311 is carried out and as the backing action of thefourth support341 is carried out thepull needle342 pulls thewarp11 to form a loop. At this time, the second, third-a, third-b andfifth supports331,371,381 and361 continue to move toward the other lateral side (the lateral driving unit) as much as the moved distance set respectively, and the first and second warp-knitting wefts12aand12b, the electricallyconductive wire13 and the binding-and-releasingweft12care knitted with thewarp11 one more time.
• Thus, if the up and down actions of thefirst support311 and the forward and backward moving actions of thefourth support341 are carried out simultaneously with the up and down of the second, third-a, third-b andfifth supports331,371,381 and361 and the actions of moving toward one side and the other side are carried repetitively, an electricallyconductive fabric1′ of a shape (seeFIG. 2b) in which the first and second warp-knitting wefts12aand12bare arranged on both sides of thewarp11 and the electricallyconductive wire13 is arranged at the position corresponding to the inside of the binding-and-releasingweft12cis woven and discharged downward.
• At this time, in the electrically conductive wire weaving section a, the electrically conductive wire weaving section a of the electricallyconductive fabric1 as shown inFIG. 2bis formed under the control of the control unit (not shown) by increasing the rotation range of themotor354cof thelateral driving unit354 connected with thefifth support361 and operating by limiting the moved distance (the range of the lateral translational motion of the fifth support351) of the electrically conductive yarn-knitting needle362 to the range in which the binding-and-releasingweft12cis knitted with the electricallyconductive wire13. Conversely, in the electrically conductive wire exposing section b, the electrically conductive wire exposing section b of the electricallyconductive fabric1′ as shown inFIG. 2cis formed under the control of the control unit by decreasing the rotation range of themotor354cand operating by limiting the moved distance (the range of the lateral translational motion of the fifth support) of the electrically conductive yarn-knitting needle362 to the range in which the binding-and-releasingweft12cis not knitted with the electricallyconductive wire13.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
• As mentioned above, the electrically conductive fabric and the manufacturing method and apparatus thereof of the present invention provide an effect of being able to carry out tying or connecting work quickly and conveniently by forming electrically conductive wire exposing sections for the portions for tying electrically conductive wires or connecting various elements or modules, since they are provided with electrically conductive wire weaving sections where electrically conductive wires are knitted to warp and/or weft to be bound monolithically to an electrically conductive fabric and electrically conductive wire exposing sections where electrically conductive wires are not knitted to warp and/or weft to be exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive woven fabrics by a predetermined length. Accordingly, it is possible to use of goods using electrically conductive fabrics.
• Although an electric conduction pad and a method for manufacturing the same according to preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with accompanying drawings, it is only illustrative. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalents can be made to the present invention. Therefore, the true technical scope of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims (29)

1. An electrically conductive fabric comprising:

multiple strands of warps arranged lengthwise;

multiple strands of wefts knitted with the warps: and

at least one strand of electrically conductive wire arranged lengthwise and woven in a planar shape,

wherein an electrically conductive wire weaving section in which the electrically conductive wire is knitted to the warp and/or weft to be bound monolithically to the electrically conductive fabric and an electrically conductive wire exposing section in which the electrically conductive wire is not knitted to the warp and/or weft but is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length are repetitively formed.

2. The electrically conductive fabric ofclaim 1, further comprising a binding-and-releasing weft which is fed simultaneously at the time of weaving the electrically conductive wire, wherein the binding-and-releasing weft is knitted with the warp and/or weft so that the electrically conductive wire is knitted so as to be bound to the warp and/or weft in the electrically conductive wire weaving section, and is knitted with the warp and/or weft so that the electrically conductive wire is knitted so as not to be bound to the warp and/or weft in the electrically conductive wire exposing section.

3. The electrically conductive fabric ofclaim 1, wherein the weft includes a first warp-knitting weft which is knitted with the warp on the inside of the electrically conductive wire; a second warp-knitting weft which is knitted with the warp so as to provide a feeding free zone which is not knitted in the range of the width corresponding to the placement width of the electrically conductive wire on the outside of the electrically conductive wire; and a binding-and-releasing weft which is knitted with the warp so as to selectively bind the electrically conductive wire at the position corresponding to the feeding free zone, and

the binding-and-releasing weft is knitted in such a way that the electrically conductive wire is bound together to the warp and the first warp-knitting weft in the electrically conductive wire weaving section, and is knitted in the range where the electrically conductive wire is not to be bound to the warp and the first warp-knitting weft in the electrically conductive wire exposing section.

4. The electrically conductive fabric ofclaim 3, wherein the warp is stretchable fiber yarn so that the electrically conductive fabric has stretchability lengthwise.

5. The electrically conductive fabric ofclaim 3, further comprising support yarns which are woven so as to be arranged on the left and right sides along the placement path in order to prevent the twisting of the electrically conductive wire.

6. The electrically conductive fabric of any one ofclaim 1, wherein the electrically conductive wire is woven so as to be arranged in a straight form structure or wave form structure along the direction of the warp.

7. The electrically conductive fabric ofclaim 6, wherein the electrically conductive wire is a one bundle type wire including plural strands of insulated electrically conductive yarn, and plural strands of fiber yarn wound on the outer circumference of the electrically conductive yarn to act as a sheath.

8. The electrically conductive fabric ofclaim 6, wherein the electrically conductive wire is a stretchable wire including a stretchable inner wire disposed in the inner center, plural strands of electrically insulated wire wound on the inner wire, and outer fiber yarn wound on the outer circumference of the electrically conductive yarn.

9. An electrically conductive fabric manufacturing method comprising a warp feeding process for feeding multiple strands of warp lengthwise, a weft feeding process for feeding multiple strands of weft, and a fabric weaving process in which the weft is knitted to the warp by a weaving machine, the method characterized by further comprising:

an electrically conductive wire feeding process for feeding at least one strand of electrically conductive wire in the weft feeding direction,

wherein the fabric weaving process includes an electrically conductive wire weaving process for weaving together the electrically conductive wire, and

wherein the electrically conductive wire weaving process includes an electrically conductive wire weaving step for knitting the electrically conductive wire with the warp, and an electrically conductive wire exposing step in which the electrically conductive wire is fed while the electrically conductive wire weaving step is under way but is made not to be knitted with the warp so that the electrically conductive wire is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length.

10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the warp feeding process includes a binding-and-releasing weft feeding process for feeding a binding-and-releasing weft to be used for knitting the electrically conductive wire with the warp, and

in the electrically conductive wire weaving step the electrically conductive wire is knitted and bound to the warp and weft through the process of knitting and binding the binding-and-releasing weft to the warp, and

in the electrically conductive wire exposing step the binding-and-releasing weft is knitted and bound to the warp without the binding-and-releasing weft being knitted with the electrically conductive wire.

11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the weft feeding process includes a first weft feeding process for feeding a first warp-knitting weft which is knitted with the warp inside of the electrically conductive wire; a second weft feeding process for feeding a second warp-knitting weft which is knitted with the warp outside of the electrically conductive wire, while providing a feeding free zone which excludes the feeding of the second warp-knitting weft in the range of the width corresponding to the placement width of the electrically conductive wire; and a binding-and-releasing weft feeding process for feeding the binding-and-releasing weft to be used for knitting and binding the electrically conductive wire to the warp selectively at the position separated to correspond to the feeding free zone, and

the electrically conductive wire weaving step includes a process of knitting and binding the first and second warp-knitting wefts and the binding-and-releasing weft to the warp simultaneously, in such a way that the electrically conductive wire is knitted and bound to both the warp and the first warp-knitting weft by the binding-and-releasing weft, and

in the electrically conductive wire exposing step the first and second warp-knitting wefts are knitted with the warp and the binding-and-releasing weft is knitted with the warp, in such a way that the electrically conductive wire is knitted within a range in which it is not bound to the warp and the first warp-knitting weft.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. An electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus comprising:

a warp weaving unit for weaving lengthwise multiple strands of warp fed from a warp feeding unit;

a weft weaving unit for weaving multiple strands of weft fed from a weft feeding unit;

an electrically conductive wire weaving unit for weaving at least one strand of electrically conductive wire fed from an electrically conductive wire feeding unit;

a warp guiding unit which pulls the warp on the side of the warp weaving unit to make possible the weaving action of the warp, weft and electrically conductive wire through interaction between the weft weaving unit and the electrically conductive wire weaving unit, and

a weaving unit driving device which operates the warp weaving unit, the weft weaving unit, the electrically conductive wire weaving unit and the warp guiding unit to knit the weft in the direction perpendicular to the warp, and selectively knits the electrically conductive wire with the warp.

17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the weaving unit driving device is composed so as to regulate selectively the action areas of the weft weaving unit and the electrically conductive wire weaving unit to carry out weaving in such a way that an electrically conductive wire weaving section in which the electrically conductive wire is knitted with the warp and/or weft to be bound monolithically to the electrically conductive fabric, and an electrically conductive wire exposing section in which the electrically conductive wire is not knitted with the warp and/or weft but is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length are repetitively formed.

18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the warp weaving unit includes a plurality of warp needles positioned on a first support installed laterally of a frame to be threaded with the warp,

the electrically conductive wire weaving unit includes at least one electrically conductive wire needle positioned on a second support installed laterally from above the warp weaving unit to be threaded with the electrically conductive wire,

the weft weaving unit includes a plurality of weft needles positioned on a third support installed laterally in contact with the second support to be threaded with the weft,

the warp guiding unit includes a plurality of pull needles positioned on a fourth support installed laterally in opposition to the first support to hook and pull the warp threaded into the warp needle, and

the weaving unit driving device is connected so as to transmit the driving force to the first to the fourth supports to have the first support make translational motion upward and downward, and have the second and the third supports make translational motion laterally and upward and downward, and have the fourth support make translational motion forward and backward.

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. An electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus comprising:

a warp weaving unit for weaving lengthwise multiple strands of warp fed from a warp feeding unit;

a first weft weaving unit which is positioned on one side of the electrically conductive wire weaving unit to weave with the warp the multiple strands of the first warp-knitting weft fed from the weft feeding unit so as to form one side face of the electrically conductive fabric;

a second weft weaving unit which is positioned on the other side of the electrically conductive wire weaving unit to weave with the warp the multiple strands of the second warp-knitting weft fed from the weft feeding unit so as to form the other side face of the electrically conductive fabric;

a warp guiding unit which is positioned in opposition so as to pull the warp on the side of the warp weaving unit, and operates so that the warp, the first and second warp-knitting wefts and electrically conductive wire are knitted through interaction between the first and second weaving units and the electrically conductive wire weaving unit; and

a weaving unit driving device which operates the warp weaving unit, the first and second weft weaving units, the electrically conductive wire weaving unit and the warp guiding unit so that the first and second warp-knitting wefts is knitted in the direction perpendicular to the warp and the electrically conductive wire is knitted selectively in the warp direction.

24. The apparatus ofclaim 23, wherein the weaving unit driving device is composed so as to regulate selectively the action areas of the first and second weft weaving unit and the electrically conductive wire weaving unit to carry out weaving in such a way that an electrically conductive wire weaving section in which the electrically conductive wire is knitted with the warp and/or the first and second warp-knitting weft to be bound monolithically to the electrically conductive fabric, and an electrically conductive wire exposing section in which the electrically conductive wire is not knitted with the warp and/or the first and second warp-knitting weft but is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length are repetitively formed.

25. The apparatus ofclaim 24, wherein the warp weaving unit includes a plurality of warp needles positioned on a first support installed laterally of a frame to be threaded with the warp,

the electrically conductive wire weaving unit includes at least one electrically conductive wire needle positioned on a second support installed laterally from above the warp weaving unit to be threaded with the electrically conductive wire,

the first weft weaving unit includes a plurality of weft needles positioned on a third-a support installed laterally to be threaded with the first warp-knitting weft,

the second weft weaving unit includes a plurality of weft needles positioned on a third-b support installed laterally to be threaded with the second warp-knitting weft,

the warp guiding unit includes a plurality of pull needles positioned on a fourth support installed laterally to hook and pull the warp threaded into the warp needle, and

the weaving unit driving device is connected so as to transmit the driving force to the first to the fourth supports to have the first support make translational motion upward and downward, and have the second, the third-a and the third-b supports make translational motion laterally and upward and downward, and have the fourth support make translational motion forward and backward.

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

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