Abstract:
A textile system for producing heat comprises a panel of heating textile, the heating textile comprising a non-woven three-dimensional network of non-electrically conductive fibers and strands of electrically conductive fibers consolidated therewith. Electrodes are conductively connected to the panel of heating textile at opposite ends. A circuit is formed at least by the panel of heating textile and the electrodes, the circuit being adapted to be connected to a power source to heat the heating textile.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/562,044, filed on Nov. 21, 2011 and incorporated herewith by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE APPLICATION 
     The present application relates to a textile system for producing heat, for use in human heating application, for instance in clothing or as a seat pad. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE ART 
     It is commonly known to heat textiles by passing an electric current through a circuit within a textile. For instance, heated blankets and jackets are commonly used. However, existing heated textiles typically comprise wires arranged in coil configurations, to produce the heat. The presence of such wires therefore may a negative impact on the practicality of the textile, for instance by adding rigidity and/or weight. Moreover, wires may be fragile and may be damaged by bending, and do not supply a homogeneous heat. 
     SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION 
     It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a textile system for producing heat that addresses issues associated with the prior art. 
     Therefore, in accordance with the present application, there is provided a textile system for producing heat, comprising: a panel of heating textile, the heating textile comprising a non-woven three-dimensional network of non-electrically conductive fibers and strands of electrically conductive fibers consolidated therewith; electrodes conductively connected to the panel of heating textile at opposite ends; and a circuit formed at least by the panel of heating textile and the electrodes, the circuit being adapted to be connected to a power source to heat the heating textile. 
     Further in accordance with the present application, the electrodes are elongated electrodes and extend along opposite side edges of the panel. 
     Still further in accordance with the present application, each said electrode is made of a conductive wire. 
     Still further in accordance with the present application, the conductive wire of each said electrode is arranged in at least two elongated passes. 
     Still further in accordance with the present application, each said electrode comprises at least one copper wire. 
     Still further in accordance with the present application, each said electrode is sewn to the panel with a conductive thread. 
     Still further in accordance with the present application, sheathed wires are connected to the electrodes and adapted to be connected to the power source. 
     Still further in accordance with the present application, a power source connector is at the free end of the sheathed wires, the power source connector adapted to be releasably connected to the power source. 
     Still further in accordance with the present application, tacks are secured to the panel at ends of the electrodes connected to said sheathed wires. 
     Still further in accordance with the present application, the heating textile has an intrinsic resistivity ranging from 0.05 to 5.0 Ωm 2 /kg. 
     Still further in accordance with the present application, the panel has a surface ranging from 200 to 900 cm 2  for a 12V power source. 
     Still further in accordance with the present application, a pouch accommodates at least the panel and the electrodes. 
     Still further in accordance with the present application, a 12V battery is the power source. 
     Still further in accordance with the present application, the strands have a length ranging between 2.5 cm and 15.3 cm. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a textile system for producing heat in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a heating textile of the textile system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a textile system for producing heat at  10 . The textile system  10  comprises a panel of heating textile  12 . The heating textile  12  is of the type receiving an electric current to produce heat. 
     According to an embodiment, the heating textile  12  is in accordance with the fabric described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,994,080, incorporated herewith by reference, or in accordance with any other suitable configuration. Therefore, the panel of heating textile  12  may be an electrically conductive non-woven fabric comprising a three-dimensional network of non-electrically non-woven conductive fibers and electrically conductive strands of synthetic or metallic fibers consolidated therewith. The conductive strands may have a length ranging between 2.5 cm and 15.3 cm, although the conductive strands may be longer. According to an embodiment, the non-electrically conductive synthetic fibers occupy a mass ranging between 50% to 98% of the fabric such that the fabric has an intrinsic resistivity in the range of from about 0.05 to 5.0 Ωm 2 /kg. In this embodiment, the electric current is conducted through the panel of heating textile  12  without a full circuit of wires all over the textile  12 . In other words, the heating textile  12  is the link between the electrodes  14 A and  14 B. Accordingly, the properties of the panel of heating textile  12  are similar to that of more conventional fabrics in terms of lightness and flexibility. 
     Wires  13 A and  13 B are part of a circuit that will supply electric current to the heating textile  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a portion of the wires  13 A and  13 B are fixed directly to the heating textile  12 , at opposed ends of the panel, and hence form electrodes  14 A and  14 B for the heating textile  12 . The electrodes  14 A and  14 B are for instance sewn to the heating textile  12  in the illustrated elongated pattern. In an embodiment, a conductive sewing thread (e.g., silver or the like) is used to attach the electrodes  14 A and  14 B to the heating textile  12 . The electrodes  14 A and  14 B may consist of any suitable conducting material, such as a copper wire, and may be arranged in a few passes (two in  FIG. 2 ) to have suitable conducting surface with the heating textile  12 . The spacing between the electrodes  14 A and  14 B causes the electric current to pass through the heating textile  12  when the circuit is closed. The resistivity of the heating textile  12  will cause same to heat up when electric current passes through it. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , tacks  15 A and  15 B may respectively be provided in the wires  14 A and  14 B, to secure wires  14 A and  14 B to the heating textile  12 . The electrodes  14 A and  14 B may be directly linked to the panel of heating textile  12 . The tacks  15  are patches of material sewn to the heating textile  12 , to reinforce the joint between the electrodes  14 A and  14 B and the heating textile  12 . The wires  13 A and  13 B may be sheathed from the tacks  15 A and  15 B to a power source  16 . The electrodes  14 A and  14 B may be directly linked to the panel of heating textile  12 , and may also be covered by a strip of sheathing, or encapsulated for instance by folded edges of the heating textile  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a power source  16  is in the circuit of the system  10 . Considering that the textile system  10  is used in garment and human heating applications, the power source  16  may be a lower voltage unit, such as a battery for portable applications. Appropriate connectors are provided as a function of the type of battery used. It is also considered to provide the system  10  with a connector plug, such as car lighter connector. A controller  18  may be provided to adjust the level of current fed to the circuit. In its basic configuration, the controller  18  is an on/off switch to open and close the circuit. The controller  18  may be a rheostat, and may include a digital-display thermostat and thermocouple to control the temperature of the heating textile  12 . 
     According to an embodiment, the system  10  is used in relatively low voltage applications, in portable configuration. By way of example, standard 12V batteries or like 12V power sources are used as power source  16 . For the intrinsic resistivity in the range of from about 0.05 to 5.0 Ωm 2 /kg for the heating textile  12 , panels sized between 200 and 900 cm 2  can be used with the 12V source to produce heat in a temperature ranging between 30° C. and 45° C., i.e., suitable for heating bodily parts without risk of burning. However, all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid overheating and prevent hazards and/or injuries. For instance, any appropriate electronic component may be added to the circuit of the system  10  to prevent such issues, such as limit switches, fuses, etc. 
     The panel of heating textile  12  could be positioned within a garment or pouch  20 . According to an embodiment, the panel of heating textile  12  is inserted in a pouch and is used as a cushion, or transportable seating pad. Due to the nature of the heating textile  12 , for instance because the conductive elements are fibers and are therefore flexible, the heating textile  12  may be folded, rolled up, bent, without the risk of kinking conductive wires. Precautions must however be taken to protect the electrodes  14 A and  14 B, for instance so as not to cause a short circuit. According to another embodiment, the garment  20  is a jacket, with suitable space to accommodate the panel of heating textile  12 . In both cases, the garment or pouch  20  is designed to facilitate access or support the other components of the circuit.