Multi-functional knitted textiles

Abstract

The knitted textiles include a knitted structure including a plurality of hollow yarns. Each hollow yarn includes a yarn body and defines a yarn hole extending through the yarn body to allow expansion of the yarn body upon inflation of each hollow yarn through the yarn hole. The knitted structure is configured to transition from an unexpanded state to an expanded state in response to the inflation of the hollow yarns through the yarn hole. The knitted structure has a first porosity in the unexpanded state, and the knitted structure has a second porosity in the expanded state. The second porosity is less than the first porosity such that a visibility through the knitted structure is greater when the knitted structure is in the unexpanded state than when the knitted structure is in the expanded state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A knitted textile, comprising:
 a knitted structure including a plurality of hollow yarns, wherein each of the plurality of hollow yarns includes a yarn body, and each of the plurality of hollow yarns defines a yarn hole extending through the yarn body to allow fluid flow through the yarn body in order to control a temperature of the knitted structure.   
     
     
         2 . The knitted textile of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of hollow yarns defines an inner yarn surface and an outer yarn surface, the outer yarn surface is opposite the inner yarn surface, the inner yarn surface defines the yarn hole, and each of the plurality of hollow yarns includes a plurality of thermally-insulating particles embedded in each of the hollow yarns between the inner yarn surface and the outer yarn surface in order to minimize a thermal conductivity of each of the hollow yarns. 
     
     
         3 . The knitted textile of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of thermally-insulating particles is entirely disposed between the inner yarn surface and the outer yarn surface. 
     
     
         4 . The knitted textile of  claim 1 , wherein each of the hollow yarns includes a circumferential wall, the circumferential wall defines an inner yarn surface and an outer yarn surface, the outer yarn surface is opposite the inner yarn surface, the inner yarn surface defines the yarn hole, the yarn hole is a longitudinal hole, and each of the plurality of hollow yarns is a porous tubular yarn that defines a plurality of thru-holes extending from the inner yarn surface to the outer yarn surface to allow a fluid flowing through the longitudinal hole to exit the yarn body through the thru-holes, thereby allowing the fluid to exit or be drawn into the yarn body through the circumferential wall. 
     
     
         5 . The knitted textile of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of transparent yarns to control observable angles through the knitted structure. 
     
     
         6 . The knitted structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fluid lines configured to transport a fluid into and out of the hollow yarns. 
     
     
         7 . A knitted textile, comprising:
 a first knitted fabric layer;   a second knitted fabric layer;   a knitted spacer fabric interconnecting the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer;   wherein the knitted spacer fabric includes a plurality of moisture-wicking yarns;   wherein the plurality of moisture-wicking yarns interconnect the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer to transport moisture from the first knitted fabric layer toward the second knitted fabric layer; and   wherein the second knitted fabric layer includes a plurality of absorbent yarns to collect a moisture transported from the first knitted fabric layer to the second knitted fabric layer through the plurality of moisture-wicking yarns.   
     
     
         8 . The knitted textile of  claim 7 , wherein the second knitted fabric layer includes a plurality of anti-microbial yarns to kill bacteria. 
     
     
         9 . The knitted textile of  claim 7 , wherein the second knitted fabric layer includes a plurality of yarn loops in order to maximize a speed of moisture evaporation. 
     
     
         10 . The knitted textile of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of absorbent yarns includes a yarn body and a yarn hole extending through the yarn body to allow air to flow through the yarn body, and each of the plurality of absorbent yarns includes a hygroscopic material to absorb moisture in response to the air flowing through the yarn hole of each of the plurality of absorbent yarns. 
     
     
         11 . The knitted textile of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of absorbent yarns includes a yarn body and a yarn hole extending through the yarn body, the yarn body includes a hygroscopic material configured to absorb moisture, each of the plurality of absorbent yarns includes a core extending through the yarn hole, and the core includes a hydrophilic material to aid in a capillary action of moisture. 
     
     
         12 . The knitted textile of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of absorbent yarns includes a yarn body and a yarn hole extending through the yarn body, the yarn body includes a hygroscopic material configured to absorb moisture, and each of the plurality of absorbent yarns includes a hydrophilic coating on an interior of the yarn body. 
     
     
         13 . The knitted textile of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of moisture-wicking yarns is made of polyester blend. 
     
     
         14 . The knitted textile of  claim 7 , wherein the knitted spacer fabric directly interconnects the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer. 
     
     
         15 . The knitted textile of  claim 7 , wherein the first knitted fabric layer is configured to face an occupant. 
     
     
         16 . The knitted textile of  claim 15 , wherein the second knitted fabric layer is configured to face away from the occupant.