Patent 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 knitted or 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.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/521,025, filed Jul. 6, 2012 (now pending), the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/521,025 is a national entry of International Application No. PCT/KR2011/000232, filed on Jan. 13, 2011, which claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2010-0004164 filed on Jan. 14, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    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 or knitted 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 
       [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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, stretachability for ensuring sufficient freedom of motion and absorptivity for absorbing sweat. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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). 
         [0010]    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. 
         [0011]    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. 
       DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
       [0012]    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 or knitted together with the fabrics to the outside of the fabrics, and a manufacturing method and an apparatus thereof. 
       Technical Solution 
       [0013]    In order to accomplish the foregoing purposes of the present invention, there is provided an electrically conductive fabric comprising: multiple strands of wales arranged lengthwise; multiple strands of connecting threads connected with the wales; and 
         [0014]    at least one strand of electrically conductive wire arranged lengthwise, wherein the electrically conductive fabric includes a repeated pattern of: a knitted section in which the electrically conductive wire is bound by at least two of the strands of connecting threads; and an electrically conductive wire exposing section in which the electrically conductive wire is not bound by at least one of the strands of connecting threads but is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length, and wherein the strands of connecting threads include: a first connecting thread which is connected with the strands of wales in a manner that the first connecting thread is disposed at one side of the electrically conductive wire; a second connecting thread which is connected with the strands of wales in an area where the electrically conductive wire is not arranged; and a third connecting thread which is connected with the strands of wales to selectively bind the electrically conductive wire, wherein the electrically conductive wire is bound by the third connecting thread and the first connecting thread in the knitted section such that the third connecting thread is disposed at another side of the electrically conductive wire which is opposite to the one side of the electrically conductive wire, and the electrically conductive wire is not bound by the third connecting thread in the electrically conductive wire exposing section. 
         [0015]    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 woven 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 woven 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 woven to the warp and/or weft but is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length are repetitively formed. 
         [0016]    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 woven with the warp and/or weft so that the electrically conductive wire is woven so as to be bound to the warp and/or weft in the electrically conductive wire weaving section, and is woven with the warp and/or weft so that the electrically conductive wire is woven so as not to be bound to the warp and/or weft in the electrically conductive wire exposing section. 
         [0017]    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. 
         [0018]    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 woven 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 woven 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 woven with the warp so that the electrically conductive wire is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length. 
         [0019]    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 woven the weft in the direction perpendicular to the warp, and selectively weaves the electrically conductive wire with the warp. 
         [0020]    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 
       [0021]    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 knitting sections where electrically conductive wires are knitted with yarns to be bound monolithically to an electrically conductive fabric and electrically conductive wire exposing sections where electrically conductive wires are not knitted with yarns to be exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive knitted 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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    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: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1A  is a view for describing an electrically conductive fabric according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 1B and 1C  are sectional views schematically showing the structure for describing the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 1D  is a view showing a first modification of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 1E  is a view showing a second modification of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 1F  is a view showing a third modification of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2A  is a view showing the appearance of the whole to describe an electrically conductive fabric according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2B to 2D  are views showing the major part for describing the electrically conductive fabric according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      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; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic view showing the configuration of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4B  is 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; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5A  is a front view schematically showing the overall structure of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5B  is an enlarged perspective view of portion F of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the major part of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6B  is 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; 
           [0037]      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; 
           [0038]      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 
           [0039]      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. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]    Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in conjunction with accompanying drawings, especially,  FIGS. 1A to 9 . Referring to  FIGS. 1A to 9 , 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. 
         [0041]    The present invention can be used in knitted fabrics and woven fabrics, and the woven fabrics will be described in a first embodiment of the present invention, the knitted fabrics will be described in a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0042]    The attached  FIG. 1A  is a view for describing an electrically conductive woven fabric according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 1C  are sectional views schematically showing the structure for describing the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 1B  shows the cross section of the electrically conductive wire weaving section, and  FIG. 1C  shows 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 woven with the warp. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1C , the electrically conductive fabric  1  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 of warp  11  arranged lengthwise, plural strands of weft  12  are woven in the direction perpendicular to the warp  11 , and plural strands of electrically conductive wires  13  arranged lengthwise and woven. 
         [0044]    Especially the electrically conductive fabric  1  according to the present invention is characterized by being repetitively composed of the electrically conductive wire weaving sections a in which the electrically conductive wire  13  is woven with the warp  11  and/or weft  12  to be monolithically bound to the electrically conductive fabric as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , and electrically conductive wire exposing sections b in which the electrically conductive wire  13  is not woven with the warp and/or weft but is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1C . 
         [0045]    The warp  11  is composed by applying common fiber yarn for the case of composing the electrically conductive fabric  1  so as not to have stretchability lengthwise, and by applying stretchable fiber yarn such as span yarn for the case of composing the electrically conductive fabric  1  so as to have stretchability lengthwise. 
         [0046]    The weft  12  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. 
         [0047]    The electrically conductive wire  13 , as shown in enlargement in  FIG. 1A , is composed by applying the one that is wound and formed into one bundle to sheathe plural strands of insulated electrically conductive yarn  131  with plural strands of fiber yarn  132 . At this time, the electrically conductive yarn  131  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 of fiber yarn  132  are wound on the outer circumference as an outer layer. And the number of strands of the electrically conductive yarn  131  composing the electrically conductive wire  13  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. 
         [0048]    And the electrically conductive wire  13  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 electrically conductive wire  13  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. 
         [0049]    Next,  FIG. 1D  is 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 includes support wires  15  which are woven along the placement path of the electrically conductive wire. 
         [0050]    The support wires  15  are woven on the left and right of the electrically conductive wire  13  to bind it to the warp and weft so as to prevent deformation. Namely, if the electrically conductive wire  13  is composed of metal yarn, it is protruded to the surface or back of the electrically conductive fabric  1  due to the difference in flexibility from the fiber yarn supplied as the weft and warp. At this time, since the support wires  15  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 the support wire  15  has a plurality of fiber yarns twisted and a diameter (denier) greater than the weft and warp. 
         [0051]      FIG. 1E  is 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 of warp  11  arranged lengthwise, multiple strands of weft  12  are woven in the direction perpendicular to the warp, and plural strands of electrically conductive wires  13  arranged and woven lengthwise. At this time, the electrically conductive wire  13  is woven so as to be arranged in a straight form structure along the warp direction. 
         [0052]    At this time, the electrically conductive wire  13 , as shown in enlargement in  FIG. 1E , includes a stretchable inner wire  133  disposed in the inner center and formed of material having stretchability like span yarn, plural strands of insulated electrically conductive yarn  134  wound on the inner wire  133 , and outer layer  135  wound so as to have stretchability by winding plural strands of fiber yarn on the outer circumference of the electrically conductive yarn  134 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 1F  is 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. 
         [0054]    With reference to  FIG. 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 electrically conductive wire  13  bound selectively to the warp  11  and/or weft  12  by an extra binding-and-releasing weft  14 . 
         [0055]    Namely, the binding-and-releasing weft  14  is supplied together when the electrically conductive wire  13  is woven to be woven to the warp and/or weft so that it is bound thereto in the electrically conductive wire weaving sections a, while the electrically conductive wire  13  is woven to the warp and/or weft so as not to be bound to the electrically conductive fabric  1  in the electrically conductive wire exposing section b. 
         [0056]      FIG. 2A  is a view schematically showing the appearance of the whole for describing the electrically conductive fabric according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 2B to 2D  are views showing the major part for describing the electrically conductive fabric according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 2B  is a view showing a part of part C of  FIG. 2A , which is the electrically conductive wire knitting section;  FIG. 2C  is a view showing a part of part D of  FIG. 2A , which is the electrically conductive wire exposing section; and  FIG. 2D  is a view showing part B of  FIG. 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 knitted 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. Also, although the conductive knitted fabrics according to the present invention can be warp knitted fabric or weft knitted fabric, only the warp knitted fabric will be described in the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0057]    With reference to  FIGS. 2A to 2C  and  FIG. 2D , the electrically conductive fabric  1 ′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes multiple strands of wale  21  arranged lengthwise, multiple strands of connecting thread  22  connected in the direction perpendicular to the wale  21 , and plural strands of electrically conductive wires  13  arranged lengthwise and knitted. With reference to  FIG. 2A , wales are repetitively chain-stitched to provide a plurality of adjacent but independently looped threads, and the connecting thread  22  are connected to the wales to interconnect the wales with respect to each other. 
         [0058]    The connecting thread  22  includes a first connecting thread  22   a  that is connected with the wale  21  at the position corresponding to the inside of the electrically conductive wire  13 , a second connecting thread  22   b  (see  FIG. 2D ) that is connected with the wale  21  so as to provide a feeding free zone in the range of width corresponding to the placement width of the electrically conductive wire  13  at the position corresponding to the outside of the electrically conductive wire  13 , and a third connecting thread  22   c  (see  FIGS. 2B and 2C ) that is connected with the wale  21  so as to selectively bind the electrically conductive wire  13  at the position corresponding to the feeding free zone. 
         [0059]    The third connecting thread  22   c  is composed by being knitted such that the electrically conductive wire is bound together with the wale  21  and the first connecting thread  22   a , in the electrically conductive wire knitting section a (see  FIGS. 2A and 2B ), and by being knitted within the range where the electrically conductive wire  13  is not bound with the wale  21  and the first connecting thread  22   a , in the electrically conductive wire exposing section b (see  FIGS. 2A and 2C ). 
         [0060]    And the electrically conductive wire  13  is knitted so as to make a waveform structure, and on both sides of the placement path of the electrically conductive wire  13 , it is possible to compose in such a way that the support yarn  15  is knitted to support the electrically conductive wire, in a way similar to the first embodiment. 
         [0061]      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. 
         [0062]    With reference to  FIG. 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 in  FIG. 1A  by weaving machine. This manufacturing method comprises a warp feeding process (S 1 ) for feeding multiple strands of warp lengthwise, a weft feeding process (S 2 ) for feeding multiple strands of weft, an electrically conductive wire feeding process (S 3 ) for feeding the electrically conductive wire in the weft feeding direction, and a fabric weaving process (S 4 ) for weaving the weft in the direction perpendicular to the warp. The fabric weaving process (S 4 ) further comprises an electrically conductive wire weaving process (S 41 ) for weaving the electrically conductive wire  13  as well. 
         [0063]    In the process for weaving the warp  11  and weft  12  with each other, the electrically conductive wire weaving process (S 4 ) is characterized by including an electrically conductive wire weaving step (S 411 ) in which the electrically conductive wire  13  is woven with the warp  11  and/or weft  12 , and an electrically conductive wire exposing step (S 412 ) in which the electrically conductive wire  13  is fed while the electrically conductive wire weaving step (S 411 ) is under way but the electrically conductive wire  13  is made not to be woven with the warp  11  and/or weft  12  so that it is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric by a predetermined length. 
         [0064]    In the warp feeding process (S 1 ) and the weft feeding process (S 2 ), 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. 
         [0065]    In the electrically conductive wire weaving step (S 411 ) to weave an electrically conductive fabric of the shape as shown in  FIG. 1A , the weft  12  is woven with the warp  11  in such a way that the electrically conductive wire  13  is woven and bound to both of the warp  11  and the weft  12 . 
         [0066]    And in the electrically conductive wire exposing step (S 412 ), the weft  12  is woven with the warp  11  in such a way that the weft  12  is not woven with the electrically conductive wire  13 . 
         [0067]    Meanwhile, in the case of weaving an electrically conductive fabric of the shape as illustrated in  FIG. 1F , the electrically conductive wire  13  is not bound by the weft  12 , but the electrically conductive wire  13  is woven and bound to the warp  11  and/or the weft  12 . For this purpose, a separate binding-and-releasing weft feeding process (S 5 ) is implemented for feeding the binding-and-releasing weft  14 , so that an electrically conductive wire weaving process (S 41 ) becomes possible. 
         [0068]    In the electrically conductive wire weaving step (S 411 ), the electrically conductive wire  13  is woven and bound to the electrically conductive fabric through the process for weaving the binding-and-releasing weft  14  with the warp  11  and/or weft  12 . And the electrically conductive wire weaving step (S 411 ) weaves in such a way that the electrically conductive wire  13  is arranged in a straight form structure of a waveform structure along the direction of the warp. 
         [0069]    In addition, the electrically conductive exposing step (S 412 ) carries out the process for weaving and binding the binding-and-releasing weft  14  to the warp  11 , in such a way that the binding-and-releasing weft  14  is not woven with the electrically conductive wire  13 . 
         [0070]    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. 
         [0071]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic view showing the configuration of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 4B  is 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. 5A  is 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. 5B  is an enlarged perspective view of portion F of  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the major part of the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 6B  is 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. 6A and 6B  are views showing a warp weaving unit  310 , a web weaving unit  320 , an electrically conductive wire weaving unit  330 , and a warp guiding unit  340 . 
         [0072]    With reference to  FIGS. 4A, 5A, 5B and 6A , the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a warp feeding unit  210 , a weft feeding unit  220  and an electrically conductive wire feeding unit  230  for feeding the warp  11 , the weft  12  and the electrically conductive wire  13 , respectively; and the warp weaving unit  310 , the weft weaving unit  320 , the electrically conductive wire weaving unit  330 , and the warp guiding unit  340  which are arranged on a frame  300  so as to carry out the weaving process; and a weaving unit driving device  350 . 
         [0073]    The warp feeding unit  210 , the weft feeding unit  220  and the electrically conductive wire feeding unit  230  are reels on which the warp  11 , the weft  12  and the electrically conductive wire  13  are wound, respectively, as shown in  FIG. 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 a reel mounting deck  200 . 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. 
         [0074]    The warp weaving unit  310  is of such a composition in which multiple strands of warp  11  fed from the warp feeding unit  210  are woven lengthwise, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 6A . There is a plurality of warp needles  312 , on which the warp  11  thread are arranged, on the first support  311  installed laterally on the frame  300 . 
         [0075]    The electrically conductive wire weaving unit  330  is of a composition in which at least one strand of the electrically conductive wire  13  fed from the electrically conductive wire feeding unit  230  is woven. There is at least one or more electrically conductive wire needles  332 , on which the electrically conductive wire threads on the second support  331  that is positioned above the warp weaving unit  310  and installed laterally are arranged, and above the second support  331  is laterally installed an electrically conductive wire guiding rod  333  to guide the movement of the electrically conductive wire  13 . 
         [0076]    The weft weaving unit  320  is for weaving the multiple strands of weft  12  fed from the weft feeding unit  220 . In it are arranged a plurality of weft needles  322  threaded with the weft  12  on the third support  321  which is laterally installed in contact with the second support  331 , and above this support  321  is laterally installed a weft guiding rod  323  to guide the movement of the weft. 
         [0077]    The warp guiding unit  340  pulls the warp  11  on the side of the warp weaving unit  310  and operates so as to have the warp  11 , the weft  12  and the electrically conductive wire  13  woven through interaction between the weft weaving unit  320  and the electrically conductive wire weaving unit  330 . In it are installed in array a plurality of pull needles  342  which hook and pull the warp  11  threaded into the warp needle  312  on the fourth support  341  installed laterally in opposition to the first support  311 . And the pull needle  342  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 the warp  11  on the side of the warp needle  312  when moving forward and can pull the warp when moving backward. 
         [0078]    The weaving unit driving device  350  is of a composition for operating the warp weaving unit  310 , the weft weaving unit  320 , the electrically conductive wire weaving unit  330  and the warp guiding unit  340  so that the weft  12  can be woven in the direction perpendicular to the progressing warp  11  and the electrically conductive wire  13  can be woven selectively with the warp  11 . Since it is composed in such a way that it is possible to selectively regulate the operating area of the warp weaving unit  310 , the weft weaving unit  320  and the electrically conductive wire weaving unit  330 , the electrically conductive wire  13  is woven, while repetitively forming the electrically conductive wire weaving section a in which the electrically conductive wire  13  is woven with the warp  11  and/or weft  12  to be bound monolithically to the electrically conductive fabric  1 , and the electrically conductive wire exposing section b in which the electrically conductive wire  13  is not woven with the warp and/or weft but is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric  1  by a predetermined length. 
         [0079]    And the weaving unit driving device  350  is composed, as shown in  FIG. 5A , in such a way that it is connected so as to transmit driving force to the first to fourth supports  311 ,  331 ,  321  and  341  to have the first support  311  make translational motion upward and downward, have the second and the third supports  331  and  321  make translational motion laterally, upward and downward, and have the fourth support  341  make translational motion forward and backward. For this purpose, the weaving unit driving device  350  includes a first support driving unit  351 , a fourth support driving unit  352 , a support lifting-lowering unit  353  and a lateral driving unit  354 . 
         [0080]    The first support driving unit  351  is for moving the first support  311  up and down. It elevates the first support  311  to lift the warp needle  312  so that the pull needle  342  can hook and tie the warp  11  easily as it moves forward according to the advancing action of the fourth support  341  and moves the warp needle  312  downward as the first support  311  descends when the fourth support  341  moves backward. As long as the first support driving unit  351  is of a structure whereby the first support  311  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 first support driving unit  351  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 the first support  311  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 first support driving unit  351  may as well be composed by a belt driving device (not shown) provided with a motor, pulleys, and a timing belt, etc. 
         [0081]    The fourth support driving unit  352  is of a composition for moving the fourth support  341  forward and backward. As long as the fourth support  341  can be moved forward and backward so that the pull needle  342  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. 
         [0082]    The support lifting-lowering units  353  are for moving the second and the third supports  331  and  321  up and down. They are installed on both sides of the frame  300  as shown in  FIG. 5A  and consist of a lifting-lowering block  353   a  into which the second and the third supports  331  and  321  are inserted, and a lifting-lowering device  353   b  for moving up and down the lifting-lowering block  353   a . At this time, the lifting-lowering device  353   b  may be composed of an electric cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, motor with cam, belt driving device, etc. 
         [0083]    The lateral driving unit  354  is for moving the second and the third supports  331  and  321  laterally as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . It includes a connecting rod  354   a  composed in a matching quantity so as to be connected with the one end portion of the second and the third supports  331  and  321  on one side of the frame  300 , a cam member  354   b  connected to each connecting rod  354   a , a motor  354   c  which provides driving force to the second and the third supports as the cam member  354   b  is connected to its output axis, and a sensor  354   d  that detects the pivot angle of the cam member  354   b  and sends the detected signal to the control unit (not shown) to control the drive of the motor  354   c.    
         [0084]    Meanwhile, the apparatus for manufacturing the electrically conductive fabric of the shape illustrated in  FIG. 1F  may further include a weaving unit  360  for binding and releasing to weave the binding-and-releasing weft  14  that weaves and ties the electrically conductive wire  13  to the warp  11  and/or weft  12 , instead of the electrically conductive wire  13  which is not bound by the weft  12  as shown in  FIGS. 4B and 6B . 
         [0085]    The weaving unit  360  for binding and releasing is for weaving in such a way that the electrically conductive wire  13  is bound to the warp  11  and/or weft  12  in the electrically conductive wire weaving section a by using plural strands of weft fed from a weft feeding unit  240  installed on the reel mounting deck  200 , and for weaving with the warp  11  and/or weft  12  in the electrically conductive wire exposing section b in such a way that the electrically conductive wire  13  is not to be bound to the electrically conductive fabric  1 . 
         [0086]    In addition, the weaving unit  360  for binding and releasing is installed in such a way that a plurality of binding and releasing needles  362 , which the binding-and-releasing weft  14  threads on the fifth support  361  installed laterally at the opposing position of the third support  321  opposed to the second support  331 , are positioned in the placement area of the electrically conductive wire  13 . 
         [0087]    Also, the weaving unit driving device  350  is composed in such a way that the fifth support  361  is moved laterally and in the up and down directions, but the lateral translational motion of the fifth support  361  is operated within the range where the binding-and-releasing weft  14  is woven to the electrically conductive wire  13  in the electrically conductive wire weaving section a, and the lateral translational motion of the fifth support  361  is operated within the range where the binding-and-releasing weft  14  is not woven with the electrically conductive wire  13  in the electrically conductive wire exposing section b. 
         [0088]    For this purpose, the fifth support  361  is inserted and installed in the lifting-lowering block  353   a  of the support lifting-lowering unit  353  composed to move up and down the second and the third supports  331  and  321 , and the weaving unit driving device further includes another lateral driving unit  354 , which is composed of the connecting rod  354   a , cam member  354   b , motor  354   c  and sensor  354   d , to move the fifth support laterally. 
         [0089]    Meanwhile, the numeral  301  shown in  FIG. 5A  is an input unit for inputting the drive signals of the weaving unit driving device  350 , and according to the signals inputted from the input unit  301 , the control unit (not shown) can control the weaving unit driving device  350  to regulate the woven 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 woven in a waveform structure, the number of bent times, etc. 
         [0090]      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. 
         [0091]    With reference to  FIG. 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 in  FIGS. 2A to 2D , and likewise as the manufacturing method of the electrically conductive fabric according to the first embodiment described above, it comprises wale threads feeding process (S 10 ), connecting thread feeding process (S 20 ), electrically conductive wire feeding process (S 30 ) and a fabric knitting process (S 40 ), which includes an electrically conductive wire knitting process (S 410 ) for weaving electrically conductive wires as well. 
         [0092]    The electrically conductive wire knitting process (S 410 ) comprises an electrically conductive wire knitting step (S 411 ′) for knitting the electrically conductive wire  13  with the wale  21 , and an electrically conductive wire exposing step (S 412 ′) in which the electrically conductive wire  13  is fed while the electrically conductive wire knitting step (S 411 ′) is under way but it is made not to be knitted with the wale  21  so that it is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric  1 ′ by a predetermined length. 
         [0093]    The connecting thread feeding process (S 20 ) includes the first connecting thread feeding process (S 210 ), the second connecting thread feeding process (S 220 ) and the third connecting thread feeding process (S 230 ). 
         [0094]    The first connecting thread feeding process (S 210 ) is for feeding the first connecting thread  22   a  that is connected with the wale  21  inside of the electrically conductive wire  13 , and the connecting thread face arrayed on the inner surface of the electrically conductive fabric  1 ′ after the electrically conductive wire knitting process (S 410 ) carried out is formed in this process. 
         [0095]    In the second connecting thread feeding process (S 220 , see  FIGS. 2C and 2D ), the second connecting thread  22   b  that is connected with the wale  21  outside of the electrically conductive wire  13  is fed, but in the range of width corresponding to the placement width of the electrically conductive wire  13 , the feeding of second connecting thread  22   b  is excluded to provide a feeding free zone. 
         [0096]    The third connecting thread feeding process (S 230 , see  FIG. 2B ) is to feed the third connecting thread  22   c  to be used for knitting and tying the electrically conductive wire  13  selectively to the wale  21  at a separated position corresponding to the feeding free zone formed in the second connecting thread feeding process (S 22 ). 
         [0097]    The electrically conductive wire knitting step (S 411 ′, see area a of  FIG. 2A ) simultaneously carries out the process of knitting and tying to the wale  21  the first and second connecting threads  22   a  and  22   b  and the third connecting  22   c  (see  FIG. 2D ), in such a way that the electrically conductive wire  13  is knitted and bound by the third connecting thread  22   c  to both of the wale  21  and the first connecting thread  22   a  (see  FIG. 2B ). And in the electrically conductive wire knitting step (S 411 ′) the electrically conductive wire  13  can be arranged also in a straight form structure along the direction of the wale  21 , but in the present embodiment the electrically conductive wire  13  is arranged in a wave form structure. 
         [0098]    And in the electrically conductive wire exposing step (S 412 ′, see area b of  FIG. 2A ) the first and second connecting threads  22   a  and  22   b  are knitted to the wale  21  (see  FIG. 2D ), and the third connecting thread  22   c  is connected to the wale  21 , but in such a way that the electrically conductive wire is knitted within the range where it is not bound to the wales  21  and the first connecting thread  22   a  (see  FIG. 2C ). If work is carried out in such a way that the third connecting thread  22   c  is not knitted to the electrically conductive wire but knitted only to the wale  21  by minifying the laterally moving range of the fifth support  361  to be described later, the electrically conductive wire  13  is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric  1 ′ to form an electrically conductive wire exposing section b. 
         [0099]    Meanwhile, in the electrically conductive wire knitting step (S 411 ′), it is preferable to knit by feeding the support wire  15  together with the electrically conductive wire  13  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 electrically conductive wire  13  knitted in the electrically conductive fabric  1 ′. For this purpose, it is preferable to install a support wire needle  334 ′ on the second support  331 ′ that corresponds to the left and right sides of the electrically conductive wire needle  332 ′ for knitting the electrically conductive wire  13  as will be described later (see  FIG. 9 ) and thread the support wire needle  334 ′ with the support wire  15  to feed it. 
         [0100]    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. 
         [0101]      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, 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. The overall appearance structure and a weaving unit driving device  350 ′ 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. 
         [0102]    With reference to  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 8 and 9 , the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a wale feeding unit  210 ′ for feeding the wale threads  21 , a connecting thread feeding unit  220 ′ for feeding the first and second connecting threads  22   a  and  22   b , and the third connecting thread  22   c , and an electrically conductive wire feeding unit  230 ′ for feeding the electrically conductive wire  13 , a wale knitting unit  310 ′, a first connecting thread knitting unit  370 ′, a second connecting thread knitting unit  380 ′, an electrically conductive wire knitting unit  330 ′, a wale guiding unit  340 ′ composed on the frame  300 ′ to carry out the knitting process; and the knitting unit driving device  350 ′. 
         [0103]    The wale feeding unit  210 ′, the connecting thread feeding unit  220 ′ and the electrically conductive wire feeding unit  230 ′ are composed of reels on which the wale, connecting thread and electrically conductive wire are knitted, respectively, in the similar manner as the first embodiment, but since the connecting threads of the second embodiment are divided into the first and second connecting threads  22   a  and  22   b , and the third connecting thread  22   c , each reel is installed separately. 
         [0104]    The wale knitting unit  310 ′ is of a composition for knitting lengthwise the multiple strands of the wale fed from the wale feeding unit  210 ′, and in it are installed a plurality of wale needles  322  which the wale threads on the first support  321  installed laterally on the frame  300 ′. 
         [0105]    The electrically conductive fabric knitting unit  330 ′ is of a composition in which at least one strand of electrically conductive wire  13  is fed from the electrically conductive wire feeding unit  230 ′ positioned above the wale knitting unit  310 ′, and in it are installed at least one electrically conductive wire needle  332 ′ on which the electrically conductive wire  13  threads in the second support  331 ′ installed laterally. 
         [0106]    And it is preferable to install in the second support  331 ′ a support wire needle  334 ′ on which the support wire  15  is thread on the left and right of the electrically conductive wire needle  332 ′, so that it is possible to knit the support wire  15  so as to be arranged on the left and right of the placement path of the electrically conductive wire  13 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . At this time, the support wire needle  334 ′ is installed at a given clearance from the electrically conductive wire  332 ′ so as to match the clearance of the support wire  15 . 
         [0107]    The wale guiding unit  340 ′ is positioned in opposition so that it can pull the wale  11 ; on the side of the wale knitting unit  310 ′. It is operated in such a way that the first and second connecting threads  22   a  and  22   b  and the electrically conductive wire  13  are knitted through interaction between the first and second connecting thread knitting units  370 ′ and  380 ′ and the wale knitting unit  310 ′. In it are installed a plurality of pull needles  342 ′ for hooking and pulling the wale  21  threaded into the wale needle  322  on the fourth support  341 ′ installed laterally. 
         [0108]    The first connecting thread knitting unit  370 ′ is positioned on one side of the electrically conductive wire knitting unit  330 ′ to knit on the wale  21  the multiple strands of the first connecting thread  22   a  for knitting wale thread fed from the connecting thread feeding unit  220 ′ so as to form one side face of the electrically conductive fabric  1 ′. In it are arranged a plurality of connecting thread needles  372  into which are fed the first connecting thread  22   a  on a third-a support  371  installed laterally in contact with the inner side of the second support  331 ′, and above the third-a support  371  is installed laterally a connecting thread guiding bar  373  so as to guide the movement of the first connecting thread. 
         [0109]    The second connecting thread knitting unit  380  is positioned on the other side of the electrically conductive wire knitting unit  330 ′ to knit with the wale  21  the multiple strands of the second connecting thread  22   b  fed from the connecting thread feeding unit  220 ′ so as to form the other side face of the electrically conductive fabric  1 ′. On a third-b support  381  installed laterally in contact with the outside of the second support  331 ′ facing the third-a support  371  are arranged a plurality of connecting thread needles  382  threaded by the second connecting thread  22 , and above the third-b support  371  is installed laterally a connecting thread guiding bar  383  to guide the movement of the second connecting thread  22   b.    
         [0110]    The knitting unit driving device  350 ′ operates the wale knitting unit  310 ′, the first and second connecting thread weaving units  370  and  380 , the electrically conductive wire knitting unit  330 ′ and the wale guiding unit  340 ′ so that the first and second connecting threads  22   a  and  22   b  are knitted perpendicular to the wale  21  and the electrically conductive wire  13  is knitted selectively in the direction of the wale. 
         [0111]    In particular, the knitting unit driving device  350 ′ can selectively regulate the operation areas of the first and second connecting thread knitting units  370  and  380 , the electrically conductive wire knitting unit  330 ′, etc., so it is characterized by being able to knit an electrically conductive fabric having the electrically conductive wire knitting section a in which the electrically conductive wire  13  is knitted with the wale  21  and/or the first and second connecting threads  22   a  and  22   b  so as to be bound monolithically to the electrically conductive fabric  1 ′, and the electrically conductive wire exposing section b in which the electrically conductive wire is not knitted to the wale and/or the first and second connecting threads but is exposed to the outside of the electrically conductive fabric. 
         [0112]    For this purpose, the knitting unit driving device  350 ′ includes a first support driving unit  351 ′, which is instrumentally connected so as to transmit driving force to the first to fourth supports in order to have the first support  321  make translational motion upward and downward, and the second, third-a and third-b supports  331 ′,  371  and  381  make translational motion laterally and upward and downward, and the fourth support  341  make translational motion forward and backward, and a fourth support driving unit  352 ′, a support lifting-lowering unit  353 ′ and a lateral driving unit  354 ′. Although detailed description is omitted because it is similar to the aforementioned first embodiment, the lateral driving unit  354 ′ further includes a connecting rod  354 ′ a  for driving the third-b support  381 , cam member  354 ′ b , motor  354 ′ c  and sensor  354 ′ d.    
         [0113]    Meanwhile, the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment is characterized in that the second connecting thread weaving unit  380  has a needle free section e in which the connecting thread needle  382  is not positioned in the range of width corresponding to the placement width of the electrically conductive wire needle  332 ′, and that it includes a knitting unit  360 ′ for binding and releasing which selectively knits the third connecting thread  22   c  to the area corresponding the needle free section e. 
         [0114]    In the knitting unit  360 ′ for binding and releasing, a needle  363 ′ for knitting electrically conductive yarn in the area corresponding to the needle free section e is arranged in the fifth support  361 ′ which is positioned in contact with the second connecting thread knitting unit  380  and is moved laterally and upward and downward by the knitting unit driving device  350 ′. 
         [0115]    The fifth support  361 ′ carries out the knitting process while moving the electrically conductive yarn-knitting needle  362 ′ according to the action of the knitting unit driving device  350 ′ so as to form the electrically conductive wire knitting section a and the electrically conductive wire exposing section b. In other words, as shown in  FIGS. 2B and 9 , in the electrically conductive wire weaving(knitting) section a, it operates the moved distance (the lateral translational motion range of the fifth support) of the electrically conductive yarn-knitting needle  362 ′ by limiting to the range in which the third connecting thread  12   c  is knitted with the electrically conductive wire  13 , and as shown in  FIGS. 2C and 9 , 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 needle  362 ′ by limiting to the range in which the third connecting thread  12   c  is not knitted with the electrically conductive wire  13 . 
         [0116]    Meanwhile, the process for knitting electrically conductive fabric will be described briefly by using the electrically conductive fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the present second embodiment. 
         [0117]    First, the input unit  301 ′ is set such that in the electrically conductive wire knitting section a, the electrically conductive wire  13  is knitted in a waveform structure and the electrically conductive wire exposing section b is formed at a predetermined interval and operates the knitting unit driving device  350 ′, then the wale  21  is moved up and down by the action of the first support driving unit  351 ′ to be fed toward the pull needle  342 ′. Accordingly, the pull needle  342 ′ positioned in the fourth support  341 ′ that is moved forward and backward according to the action of the fourth support driving unit  352 ′ pulls the wale  21  to form a loop, and the knitting process is carried out as the second, third-a, third-b and fifth supports  331 ′,  371 ,  381  and  361 ′ make translational motion upward and downward and laterally by the action of the support lifting-lowering unit  353 ′ and lateral driving unit  354 ′. 
         [0118]    To describe this in more detail, as the fourth support  341 ′ advances at the time of rising action of the first support  321 , the pull needle  342 ′ advances, and simultaneously as the second, third-a, third-b and fifth supports  331 ′,  371 ,  381  and  361 ′ are elevated, it moves toward the lateral side (in the direction of lateral driving unit side). Subsequently as the descending action of the first support  321  and the backing action of the fourth support  341 ′ are carried out simultaneously, the pull needle  342 ′ pulls the wale  21  to form a loop, and at this time, the second, third-a, third-b and fifth supports  331 ′,  371 ,  381  and  361 ′ descend gradually, continuing one lateral (toward the lateral driving unit) movement by the moved distance set respectively, and the first and second connecting threads, electrically conductive wire and the third connecting thread  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  13  are knitted with the wale  21 . 
         [0119]    Subsequently, as the first support  321  rises and the fourth support  341 ′ advances the pull needle  342 ′ advances, and the second, third-a, third-b and fifth supports  331 ′,  371 ,  381  and  361 ′ move toward the other lateral side (the opposite direction of the lateral driving unit) together with a rising action. Continuously the descending action of the first support  321  is carried out and as the backing action of the fourth support  341 ′ is carried out the pull needle  342 ′ pulls the wale  21  to form a loop. At this time, the second, third-a, third-b and fifth supports  331 ′,  371 ,  381  and  361 ′ 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 connecting threads  22   a  and  22   b , the electrically conductive wire  13  and the third connecting thread  22   c  are knitted with the wale  21  one more time. 
         [0120]    Thus, if the up and down actions of the first support  321  and the forward and backward moving actions of the fourth support  341 ′ are carried out simultaneously with the up and down of the second, third-a, third-b and fifth supports  331 ′,  371 ,  381  and  361 ′ and the actions of moving toward one side and the other side are carried repetitively, an electrically conductive fabric  1 ′ of a shape (see  FIG. 2B ) in which the first and second connecting threads  22   a  and  22   b  are arranged on both sides of the wale  21  and the electrically conductive wire  13  is arranged at the position corresponding to the inside of the third connecting thread  22   c  is knitted and discharged downward. 
         [0121]    At this time, in the electrically conductive wire knitting section a, the electrically conductive wire knitting section a of the electrically conductive fabric  1 ′ as shown in  FIG. 2B  is formed under the control of the control unit (not shown) by increasing the rotation range of the motor  354 ′ c  of the lateral driving unit  354 ′ connected with the fifth support  361 ′ and operating by limiting the moved distance (the range of the lateral translational motion of the fifth support  351 ′) of the electrically conductive yarn-knitting needle  362 ′ to the range in which the third connecting thread  22   c  is knitted with the electrically conductive wire  13 . Conversely, in the electrically conductive wire exposing section b, the electrically conductive wire exposing section b of the electrically conductive fabric  1 ′ as shown in  FIG. 2C  is formed under the control of the control unit by decreasing the rotation range of the motor  354 ′ c  and operating by limiting the moved distance (the range of the lateral translational motion of the fifth support) of the electrically conductive yarn-knitting needle  362 ′ to the range in which the third connecting thread  22   c  is not knitted with the electrically conductive wire  13 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 3