The present invention provides a stretch-resistant light-emitting or heat-emitting structure. The wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structure includes a woven member, conductive twisted cables, a light-emitting element, and a receiver circuit. The woven member is mounted to the article. Each conductive twisted cable includes a stretch-resistant wire and a electrically conductive wire twisted together. The conductive twisted cables are woven in the woven member. The light-emitting element, which is arranged inside the woven member, includes a light emission section and two conductive pins. The conductive pins are respectively and electrically connected to the electrically conductive wires of the conductive twisted cables. The wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure includes a carrying member, an electrical heating element mounted to the carrying member, conductive twisted cables that are in electrical connection with the electrical heating element, and a receiver circuit that is in electrical connection with the conductive twisted cables. The carrying member is woven in the article.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stretch-resistant light-emitting or heat-emitting structure, and in particular to a stretch-resistant light-emitting or heat-emitting structure that is wirelessly chargeable and is applicable to an article to be worn on a human body, and shows the properties of stretch resistance, pull resistance, water washability, and deflectability, and also features light emission and/or heat emission.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, to additionally mount a light-emitting structure or a heat-emitting structure to an article to be worn on a human body (such as garment, jacket, shirt, vest, underwear, pants, skirt, hat, glove, swimming suit, swimming cap, wet suit, sock, earmuffs, and bag and backpack) for emission of light or for heating purposes, the only practice that was known is to mount light-emitting elements to a jacket or a hat to improve nighttime atmosphere, amusing, or aesthetics effect.

However, the article to be worn on a human body must be subjected to cleaning, which is often done with water. During water washing, the article is stretched, twisted, and deflected and this makes the conventional way of simply attaching light-emitting structure to the article not fit, for water washing operation or otherwise stretching and deflecting the article may lead to breaking of power supply wires.

Further, electrical power that is used to operate the light-emitting elements is often supplied from a rechargeable battery, such as nickel-hydride battery and lithium battery. This rechargeable battery is re-chargeable by a charging device, which is electrically connected in a wired fashion to for example an electrical socket so that the electrical power for charging the battery is supplied through a cable or wire to the rechargeable battery. This limits the spatial range of usage and reduces the convenience of use.

Thus, it is desired to provide a stretch-resistant light-emitting or heat-emitting structure that shows the properties of stretch resistance, pull resistance, water washability, and deflectability and is also capable of emitting fight and/or heat. This is the primary objective of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structure, which comprises a unique arrangement of conductive twisted cables to ensure stretch resistance, pull resistance, water washability, and deflectability, and is re-chargeable in a wirelessly chargeable fashion to ensure supply of electrical power from a rechargeable battery for energizing and lighting a light-emitting element.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structure, which is applicable to an article to which a charging device is coupled. The charging device comprises a transmitter circuit and a power source that is connected to the transmitter circuit so that the power source supplies electrical power to the transmitter circuit and the electrical power is converted by the transmitter circuit into an alternate-current (AC) signal. The wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structure comprises a woven member, which is mounted to the article; at least two conductive twisted cables, each of which comprises at least one stretch-resistant wire and at least one electrically conductive wire twisted together, the two conductive twisted cables being woven in the woven member; at least one light-emitting element, which is arranged inside the woven member and comprises a light emission section and at least two conductive pins, wherein the light emission section emits light projecting out of the woven member and the two conductive pins are respectively and securely in electrical engagement with the electrically conductive wires of the two conductive twisted cables; and a receiver circuit, which is mounted to the article and is electrically connected to the electrically conductive wires of the two conductive twisted cables and comprises a rechargeable battery, whereby the transmitter circuit transmits, in a wireless fashion, the AC signal to the receiver circuit and the receiver circuit receives and converts the AC signal into electrical power that is stored in the rechargeable battery for subsequent supply to the light-emitting element.

As such, besides being powered by the rechargeable battery, which is chargeable in a wireless fashion, for emission of light, the article also features stretch resistance, pull resistance, water washability, and deflectability.

A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure, which comprises a unique arrangement of conductive twisted cables to ensure stretch resistance, pull resistance, water washability, and deflectability, and realizes supply of electrical power from a rechargeable battery, which is rechargeable in a wireless fashion, for powering a heat-emitting element to give off heat.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure, which is applicable to an article to which a charging device is coupled. The charging device comprises a transmitter circuit and a power source that is connected to the transmitter circuit so that the power source supplies electrical power to the transmitter circuit and the electrical power is converted by the transmitter circuit into an alternate-current (AC) signal. The wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure comprises at least one carrying member, which is woven in the article; at least one electrical heating element, which is mounted to the carrying member; at least two conductive twisted cables, each of which comprises at least one stretch-resistant wire and at least one electrically conductive wire twisted together, the electrically conductive wires of the two conductive twisted cables each having an end electrically connected to the electrical heating element; and a battery-based receiver circuit, which is electrically connected to an opposite end of each of the electrically conductive wires of the conductive twisted cables and comprises a rechargeable battery, whereby the transmitter circuit transmits, in a wireless fashion, the AC signal to the receiver circuit and the receiver circuit receives and converts the AC signal into electrical power that is stored in the rechargeable battery for subsequent supply of electrical power to the electrical heating element.

As such, besides being powered by the rechargeable battery, which is chargeable in a wireless fashion, for emission of heat for warm keeping purposes, the article also features stretch resistance, pull resistance, water washability, and deflectability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings and in particular toFIGS. 1A-4B, the present invention provides a stretch-resistant light-emitting or heat-emitting structure, which is applied to an article to be put on the body of a user (such as garment, jacket, shirt, vest, underwear, pants, skirt, hat, glove, swimming suit, swimming cap, wet suit, sock, earmuffs, and bag and backpack). A charging device9is coupled to the article (by means of for example clamping, bonding, adhering, or mutual attraction). The charging device9comprises a transmitter circuit91and a power source92connected to the transmitter circuit91. The power source92supplies electrical power to the transmitter circuit91and the electrical power is converted by the transmitter circuit91into an alternate-current (AC) signal.

Referring toFIGS. 1A,1B,2A,2B, and4,4A and4B, an article1(which in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings is a garment) is provided with a plurality of wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structures and a plurality of wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure. The wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structures are respectively mounted to shoulders and back of the article1. Each of the wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structures comprises a woven member5, at least two conductive twisted cables3, at least one light-emitting element2, and a receiver circuit8. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the stretch-resistant light-emitting structure comprises two conductive twisted cables3and a plurality of the light-emitting elements2. The light-emitting element2can be a light-emitting diode (LED) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED).

As to the conductive twisted cables3, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 3A, each conductive twisted cable3comprises at least one stretch-resistant wire31and at least one electrically conductive wire32twisted together. In the embodiment illustrated, the conductive twisted cable3comprises a plurality of stretch-resistant wires31and a plurality of electrically conductive wires32, wherein the stretch-resistant wire31is more stretch-resistant than the electrically conductive wire32. Preferably, each electrically conductive wire32is a conductive wire made of a stretch-resistant material to provide the electrically conductive wire32with the properties of stretch resistance, pull resistance, and delectability.

As to the light-emitting element2, as shown inFIG. 4A, each light-emitting element2comprises a light emission section21and at least two conductive pins22. The two conductive pins22are respectively in secured electrical engagement with the electrically conductive wires32of the two conductive twisted cables3. Connection between the conductive pins22and the conductive twisted cables3can be realized through for example soldering, stamping and pressing, and application of adhesives.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bare circuit diagrams of the present invention. The light-emitting element2of the wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure, an electrical heating element40of a wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure, a control circuit6, and a switch61are all electrically connected to the receiver circuit8. The switch61controls the supply of electrical power from a rechargeable battery84of the receiver circuit8. The control circuit6comprises a power source control circuit and a signal control circuit. The power source control circuit controls if the light-emitting element or the heating element is set ON or OFF. The signal control circuit controls the lighting fashion of the light-emitting element and the heating operation of the heating element (such as temperature and time counting).

The receiver circuit8is electrically connected to the electrically conductive wires32of the two conductive twisted cables3and the receiver circuit8comprises a receiver induction coil81, a secondary receiving resonant circuit82connected to the receiver induction coil81, an AC/DC rectification and filtering regulation circuit83connected to the secondary receiving resonant circuit82, and a rechargeable battery84connected to the AC/DC rectification and filtering regulation circuit83. The rechargeable battery84can be a built-in rechargeable battery or an externally connected rechargeable battery for receiving an AC signal that is transmitted from the transmitter circuit91and received by the receiver induction coil81. The AC signal is subjected to resonance by the secondary receiving resonant circuit82and is further subjected to rectification and regulation by the AC/DC rectification and filtering regulation circuit83so as to convert the AC signal into electrical power. The electrical power is then stored in the rechargeable battery84so that the rechargeable battery84may subsequently supply the electrical power to each of the light-emitting elements2.

The transmitter circuit91and the power source92can be connected in a wired fashion or a wireless fashion. The transmitter circuit91comprises an oscillation and frequency-division circuit911that is connected to the power source92, a driving and amplifying circuit912connected to the oscillation and frequency-division circuit911, a primary transmitting resonant circuit913connected to the driving and amplifying circuit912, and a transmitter coil914connected to the primary transmitting resonant circuit913, whereby the oscillation and frequency-division circuit911converts the electrical power supplied from the power source92into an AC signal, which is then amplified by the driving and amplifying circuit912, and the amplified AC signal is subjected to resonance by the primary transmitting resonant circuit913to be transmitted by the transmitter coil914to the receiver circuit8.

Further, the transmitter circuit91may further comprise a feedback detection circuit915connected to the transmitter coil914and a control regulation circuit916connected to the feedback detection circuit915and the oscillation and frequency-division circuit911, whereby the feedback detection circuit915feeds the AC signal transmitted by the transmitter coil914back to the control regulation circuit916to allow the control regulation circuit916to regulate the oscillation frequency of the oscillation and frequency-division circuit911in order to acquire the optimum result of resonance.

Referring to a first embodiment according to the present invention shown inFIGS. 4 and 4A, the woven member5is coupled to the article1(by means of for example sewing or being woven on or inside the article1, the former being shown in the drawings) and is attached to the shoulders and the back of the article1as shown in the drawings. The conductive twisted cables3are woven in the woven member5and the light-emitting elements2are arranged inside the woven member5with the conductive pins22of the light-emitting element2being in electrical engagement with the conductive twisted cables3for emission of light. Light emitting from the light emission section21of each light-emitting element2is allowed to project outside the woven member5. As shown in the drawings, the projection of light is realized through a hole formed in the woven member5at a location corresponding to and thus exposing the light emission section21. Alternatively, the woven member5may be formed of a loosened structure (not shown) at a corresponding location to allow the light to travel therethrough.

As such, the conductive twisted cables3and the wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structure comprising the conductive twisted cables3show the properties of stretch resistance, pull resistance, and deflectability and is of electrical conduction to energize the light-emitting elements2for emission of light.

Referring to a second embodiment according to the present invention shown inFIG. 4B, preferably, each of the conductive pins22of each light-emitting element2forms, in a bottom thereof, a positioning trough221, and the positioning troughs221correspond respectively to the conductive twisted cables3, whereby the conductive twisted cables3are respectively receivable and thus positionable in the positioning troughs221of the conductive pins22. Further, the light-emitting element2shown inFIGS. 4A and 4Bis electrically connected to two conductive twisted cables3with the bottoms of the conductive pins22respectively contacting the conductive twisted cables3and the electrically conductive wires32of the conductive twisted cables3in electrical engagement with the conductive pins22.

Referring to third and fourth embodiments according to the present invention shown inFIGS. 5 and 5A, the light-emitting element2is set between and in electrical connection with the two conductive twisted cables3with the conductive pins22contacting, at sides thereof, sides of the conductive twisted cables. Preferably, the side of each conductive pin22forms a positioning trough221(FIG. 5A), which corresponds to the conductive twisted cable3, whereby the conductive twisted cables3are receivable and thus positionable in the positioning troughs221of the conductive pins22and the electrically conductive wires32of the conductive twisted cables3in electrical engagement with the conductive pins22.

Referring to a fifth embodiment according to the present invention shown inFIG. 6, each conductive pin22of the light-emitting element2forms a positioning portion222, which in the embodiment illustrated in the drawing comprises a through hole through which the respective conductive twisted cable3is received and thus positioned therein, whereby the conductive twisted cables3are positioned in and by the positioning portions222of the conductive pins22and the electrically conductive wires32of the conductive twisted cables3are in electrical engagement with the conductive pins22.

Referring to a sixth embodiment according to the present invention shown inFIG. 7, each of the conductive twisted cables3is enclosed by an insulation layer33, and each of the conductive pins22of the light-emitting element2comprises a piercing tip223. The piercing tips223of the conductive pins22respectively pierce through the insulation layers33of the conductive twisted cables3to form electrical engagement with the electrically conductive wires32housed in the insulation layers33. The insulation layer33can be formed in various ways, of which one is soaking in a solution or liquid of insulation material.

The first to sixth embodiments discussed above can realize insulation through the following processes that are not demonstrated in the drawings. The first way is that the conductive twisted cables3that are electrically connected with the light-emitting elements2are soaked in a liquid of insulation material to each form an insulation layer thereon, and then, the conductive twisted cables3that are enclosed by the insulation layers and are electrically connected with the light-emitting elements2are woven (simply woven) in the woven member5, but not limited thereto; the second way is that the conductive twisted cables3are first formed with insulation layers33, and then woven (subjected to a weaving operation with yarns of the woven member5) in the woven member5so as to combine with the woven member5, and then the insulation layer33is processed to form a plurality of openings that expose the electrically conductive wires32, through which openings electrical connection with the light-emitting elements2can be made, and finally, packaging or sealing with resin may be made.

In the first embodiment discussed above, the conductive twisted cables3(two conductive twisted cables3as shown in the drawing) of each of the wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structures can be selectively first covered with insulation and then entangled and twisted together (not illustrated). It is apparent that this is applicable to the second to sixth embodiments (not illustrated).

In the first to sixth embodiments discussed above, each of the wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structures may omit the woven member5, and instead, the two conductive twisted cables3are woven together with the threads of a sweater (not shown) so as to combined with the sweater.

Referring toFIGS. 1A,1B,2A, and2B, the stretch-resistant heat-emitting structures are respectively mounted to front and back of the article1. Each wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure comprises at least one carrying member4, at least one electrical heating element40, at least two conductive twisted cables3, and a receiver circuit8. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, each wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure comprises a carrying member4, an electrical heating element40, two conductive twisted cables3, and a receiver circuit8.

The carrying member4is woven (simply woven) with the article1. Similar to what discussed above, the conductive twisted cable3comprises at least one stretch-resistant wire31and at least one electrically conductive wire32twisted together. In the embodiment illustrated, each conductive twisted cable3comprises a plurality of stretch-resistant wires31and a plurality of electrically conductive wires32. Preferably, each electrically conductive wire32is a conductive wire made of a stretch-resistant material to provide the electrically conductive wire32with the properties of stretch resistance, pull resistance, and deflectability. The electrical heating element40is mounted on the carrying member4, and the electrically conductive wires32of the two conductive twisted cables3are electrically connected to the electrical heating element40.

The electrical heating element40generates heat through electrical power transmitted through the conductive twisted cables3. Preferably, the carrying member4comprises a heat spreader (not shown), whereby the electrical heating element40is in contact engagement with the heat spreader to allow heat to be uniformly distributed through the heat spreader, so that the article1to which the wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure according to the present invention is mounted can realize the function of uniform heating.

Referring toFIG. 4, the two conductive twisted cables3contained in the woven member5are further and electrically connected to the receiver circuit8(which is actually in electrical connection with the electrically conductive wires32of the two conductive twisted cables3, but for simplification of the description, in the following description, the electrically conductive wire32will not be explicitly mentioned), whereby electrical power supplied from the rechargeable battery84of the receiver circuit8can be applied to the light-emitting elements2for emission of light.

Further, the two conductive twisted cables3contained in the woven member5are further electrically connected to a control circuit6and a switch61, whereby the control circuit6and the switch61are electrically connected to the two conductive twisted cables3. As such, the control circuit6controls the fashion of light emission of the light-emitting elements2(such as continuous emission, flashing, or lighting with various brightness). The control circuit6and the switch61may also be woven in the woven member5(not shown), or alternatively, as shown in the drawings, extending outside the woven member5. In both arrangements, selective enclosure with insulation layer may be made to ensure electrical insulation in doing laundry or to realize insulating isolation in twisting conductive twisted cables3together. Further, to enhance control of the lighting fashion of the light-emitting element2, at least one conductive twisted cable for controlling purposes (not shown in the drawings, but having the same structure as the conductive twisted cables3) is additionally provided, whereby the controlling-purpose conductive twisted cable is in electrical connection with the control circuit6through electrically conductive wire thereof and the controlling-purpose conductive twisted cable may transmit control signals from the control circuit6. The two conductive twisted cables3and the controlling-purpose conductive twisted cable may be separately enclosed by an insulation layer and then twisted together (not shown) to provide improved stretch resistance and pull resistance.

In summary, the wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structure receives electrical power from the rechargeable battery84of the receiver circuit8for energizing the light-emitting elements2to give off light and comprises a switch61to selectively light on or off the light-emitting elements2and may further control, through the control circuit6, the lighting fashion of the light-emitting elements2.

Referring toFIG. 8, external connection is used to replace the electrical connection with the receiver circuit8mentioned above (and preferably, the external connection comprises a control circuit6). In the first to sixth embodiments according to the present invention, the wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structure comprises an external connecting member7, a connector71, and a switch61. The connector71and the switch61are electrically connected to the two conductive twisted cables3. The external connecting member7comprises a receiver circuit8and a control circuit6for controlling the lighting fashion of the light-emitting elements2. The external connecting member7further comprises a connector72that is electrically connected to the control circuit6and is mateable with the connector71. The external connecting member7is electrically connected through the mating engagement between the connector72and the connector71. The switch61and the connector71may be selectively woven in the woven member5(not shown), or alternatively, extend outside the woven member5. In both arrangements, selective enclosure with insulation layer may be made to ensure electrical insulation in doing laundry or to realize insulating isolation in twisting conductive twisted cables3together. Further, to enhance control of the lighting fashion of the light-emitting element2, at least one conductive twisted cable for controlling purposes (not shown in the drawings, but having the same structure as the conductive twisted cables3) is additionally provided, whereby the controlling-purpose conductive twisted cable is in electrical connection with the control circuit6through electrically conductive wire thereof and the controlling-purpose conductive twisted cable may transmit control signals from the control circuit6. The two conductive twisted cables3and the controlling-purpose conductive twisted cable may be separately enclosed by an insulation layer and then twisted together (not shown) to provide improved stretch resistance and pull resistance.

In summary, besides control of lighting on/off through the switch61, selective external connection of the external connecting member7may be used to select use or no use of the rechargeable battery of the receiver circuit8and the control circuit6.

Referring toFIGS. 1A,1B,2A, and2B, the stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure is operated by turning on the switch42to allow electrical power to be supplied from the rechargeable battery84of the receiver circuit8to the heating element40, so that the heating element40generates and emits heat. Preferably, as shown in the drawings, a control circuit6and a switch61are further provided and electrically connected. The control circuit6, the switch61, and the receiver circuit8are electrically connected to the conductive twisted cables3for electrical connection with the heating element40. The switch61controls heating (ON) or non-heating (OFF) status of the heating element40. The control circuit6controls heating operation of the heating element40(such as temperature and time counting).

It is apparent that the receiver circuit8(or further comprising the control circuit6) of the wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure can be connected in an external connection form (as shown inFIG. 9). The wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure further comprises a connector71, a switch61, and an external connecting member7. The external connecting member7comprises a mateable counterpart connector72, the control circuit6, and the receiver circuit8. The connector71and the switch61are electrically connected to the conductive twisted cables3, while the control circuit6, the receiver circuit8, and the counterpart connector72of the external connecting member7are electrically connected together. As such, the external connecting member7is electrically connected through the mating engagement between the counterpart connector72and the connector71.

As such, besides control of heating or not of the heating element40by the switch61, selective external connection of the external connecting member7may be used to select use or no use of the rechargeable battery84of the receiver circuit8and the control circuit6.

Further, the wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structure provided with the receiver circuit8as shownFIGS. 4 and 8may have a portion extending outside the woven member5and attached to any desired location on the article1. The wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure that is provided with the receiver circuit8has a portion extending outside the carrying member4and attached to the article1at locations as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The features of the stretch-resistant light-emitting or heat-emitting structure according to the present invention are that through the unique arrangement of the conductive twisted cables3, the wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structure that allows electrical power to transmit through the conductive twisted cables3to the light-emitting elements2and the wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant heat-emitting structure that allows electrical power to transmit through the conductive twisted cables3to the heating element40provide the functions of stretch resistance, pull resistance, water washability, and deflectability, in addition to light emission and heat emission, so as to be perfectly suitable for applications in an articles1, such as garment, jacket, shirt, vest, underwear, pants, skirt, hat, glove, swimming suit, swimming cap, wet suit, sock, earmuffs, and bag and backpack. Further, the receiver circuit8that comprises a rechargeable battery84receives the AC signal transmitted by the transmitter circuit91of the charging device9and the AC signal is converted into electrical power to be stored in the rechargeable battery84, whereby the rechargeable battery84may supply electrical power to the light-emitting elements2and the heating element40; through the switch61, the light-emitting element2can be controlled to light or not and the heating element40can be controlled to give off heat or not; through the control circuit6, the lighting fashion of the light-emitting element2is controlled and the heating operation of the heating element40is controlled; and through the external connecting member7, the use of the receiver circuit8and the control circuit6can be easily selected. Further, through the arrangement of a controlling-purpose conductive twisted cable, control signals from the control circuit6can be transmitted; and through the covering of insulation layer, electrical insulation in doing laundry may be ensured and insulating isolation may be realized in twisting conductive twisted cables3together. Further, the rechargeable battery84of the receiver circuit8may be a sheet like flexible battery, which was recently developed, to get better fit to applications in articles to be worn on a human body.