EP1291601B1 - Camouflage net - Google Patents

Abstract

A camouflage net comprises a knitted fabric with a hole structure (3) and condensed and/or sealed-off regions (5).

Description

The invention relates to a camouflage net, in particular for covering people and objects in the desert against detection in a thermal image and radar, with a knitted fabric having a hole structure.

A generic camouflage net is from the DE 40 23 287 C2 known.

Camouflage nets of this type are used to camouflage buildings and fixed and mobile military equipment, such as automobiles, tanks and the like. Such camouflage nets should enable camouflage in front of infrared cameras or thermal imaging detectors and radar detectors. The camouflage should thus be given in the infrared, thermal imaging, millimeter and centimeter radar radiation range.

The generic camouflage net consists of a polyester knitted fabric with a hole structure, wherein the holes have a diameter or a width and / or height of about 2 to 3 mm and the distance of the holes moves to each other in approximately the same order of magnitude. In the knitted fabric and metal fibers are incorporated and the knitted fabric is provided on both sides with a polymer layer containing about 30 to 40 wt .-% absorber pigments which are effective in the range of 10 to 100 GHz contains.

The generic camouflage net represents an advantageous, multi-spectrally effective, flame-retardant camouflage net, which provides protection in the visible and near IR range. The generic camouflage net moreover has good attenuation values over a broad spectrum of the microwave range and is low emitting in the thermal imaging area.

The camouflage net also provides good mechanical strength and flexibility over a wide temperature range.

Compared to other camouflage nets known from the prior art, for example the DE 38 10 121 A1 and the DE 31 17 245 A1 , This shows the generic Scripture known camouflage net improved camouflage properties.

In all camouflage nets known in practice, when used in desert areas, there is the problem that the camouflage nets, which are based on the principle of convection, are too hot for use in the desert during the day and too hot at night. The sand, rocks and vegetation heat up extremely in the desert during the daytime. The area covered by the camouflage nets is shaded by the camouflage nets and thus colder, as the covered surface of the earth can not heat up to that extent. In the thermal infrared thus appears a different from the environment signature.

The situation at night is not as extreme as in the daytime with respect to the signature different in the thermal infrared, but an improvement or an optimization is also required here.

From the cited documents and from practice so far no practicable possibility is known, which allows an approximation of the temperature of the network or the camouflaged area in the desert areas. Another problem is that the different desert areas make different demands on the camouflage nets with regard to an approximation of the temperature.

The present invention has for its object to solve the disadvantages mentioned and to improve camouflage nets for use in desert areas so that the temperature of the network is adapted to the environment that the camouflage net, or covered by the camouflage area, in particular in the thermal infrared, does not differ from the desert environment signature.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the fact that the knitted fabric has compacted and / or sealed areas due to a change in the network structure.

The inventor has unobviously recognized that the temperature differences between the camouflage net and the area covered by the camouflage net primarily result from the fact that the covered earth surface can not heat as much as the surrounding area and the air circulation cools the camouflage net , By the invention compacted and / or sealed areas of the knitted fabric, the convection is partially reduced. By this technology, on the one hand the air passage is reduced, on the other hand, the area is increased to allow partial solar heating. The densified or sealed areas heat up more than the uncompacted areas. Thus, the network has a thermal camouflage signature.

In an advantageous and simple manner, the previously known disadvantages of the prior art are solved by the compacted and / or sealed areas. The camouflage net behaves similar to the desert environment due to the reduced air circulation and the more heated, compacted and / or sealed areas, so that a similar or identical signature appears in thermal infrared.

Even at night can be achieved with the present invention compacted and / or sealed areas optimization. The closed areas or areas serve as a reflector, which in this case reflects the cold night sky. This is advantageous because even the sand in the desert does not cool rapidly and also acts as a reflector of the cold sky.

As has been shown in experiments, the camouflage net works both during the day and at night as the environment or the vegetation.

Another advantage of the entire construction is the use on both sides and the same effects on both sides.

It is advantageous if the densified areas of the knitted fabric are designed as Jacquard pattern.

As has been shown in experiments, a particularly good limitation of the air flow can be achieved by a kind of jacquard pattern. The jacquard pattern can be produced in a simple manner and compact the knitted fabrics in this area. As has been shown in experiments, the change of the net structure caused by the jacquard pattern is much better suited to achieve the desired purpose than the application of a sealing foil or the like.

Depending on requirements or on the desert region, the jacquard pattern can optionally have different shapes and sizes. The frequency as well as the arrangement of the jacquard pattern can be varied accordingly.

In a structural embodiment of the invention may also be provided that the compacted and / or sealed areas are arranged irregularly and cover less than 20% of the total surface of the knitted fabric.

As has been shown, an areal arrangement of the compacted and / or sealed areas of less than 20% is sufficient to adapt the camouflage net or the areas covered thereby to the ambient temperature. The densified and / or sealed areas may be sized and arranged Be distributed in such a way on the camouflage net, that a knitting penetrating air flow is reduced to the desired extent. If necessary, it is also possible to discuss the different desert types.

The irregular arrangement and the various forms of the jacquard pattern result in the formation of an irregular surface structure, thus achieving a thermal signature which corresponds to the environment. Irregular arrangements have been found to be particularly suitable and inconspicuous with respect to a thermal infrared. A regular arrangement would be unnatural, would therefore be easier to notice and thus stand out from the environment. The reduction in airflow to increase solar heating in partial locations and the fact that they are non-recurrent, not uniform, but irregularly arranged, leads to an optimal adaptation of the camouflage net to the environment.

In a further development of the invention can also be provided that the hole structure is provided to increase the stability of the knitted fabric with weft insertion.

As has been shown in experiments, receives the knitwear and thus the camouflage net by the weft insertion a very large dimensional stability. The handling of the Camouflage net, both in use and for transport purposes, is significantly improved. The weft insertion can be formed as thicker threads compared to the rest of the knitted fabric.

It is advantageous if the knitted fabric is made of polyester and the holes of the hole structure have a diameter or a width and / or height of about 2 to 4 mm, preferably 3 mm x 2.7 mm.

An education of the knitted fabric made of polyester has been found to be particularly suitable with respect to a simple production and intended use.

Due to the diameter of the holes of the hole structure an optimal exchange of heat flow is given, so that the thermal image is ideal and the object to be camouflaged practically can no longer be distinguished from the environment. The specified hole structure allows for an advantageous air and heat flow, but it is not so open that an underlying, warmer object in the thermal image is visible.

In a constructive embodiment of the invention may further be provided that the holes of the hole structure formed at least approximately diamond-shaped and arranged in rows in the knitted fabric, wherein in successive rows the holes are offset from one another.

Of course, the shape of the holes may be arbitrary, but in practice, openings of at least approximately rhombic shape have been found most suitable for the intended use. Due to the diamond shape, a corresponding reinforcement of the knitted fabric and thus of the camouflage net according to the invention is achieved, as a result of which high tear strength values and tear propagation values are obtained.

In tests it has been found that particularly good results are achieved when the fibers of the knitted fabric are denser around the holes or when the spaces between the rows of holes are loosely knit.

Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the other dependent claims and from the exemplary embodiment illustrated in principle below with reference to the drawing.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausschnittes der Wirkware; und

Fig.2

eine Draufsicht auf ein vollständig verarbeitetes Tarnnetz mit einem Tarnmuster.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a section of the knitwear; and

Fig.2

a top view of a fully processed camouflage net with a camouflage pattern.

Camouflage nets for various purposes are in principle, for example from the DE 40 23 287 C2 , Known so that below will be discussed only on the features essential to the invention in more detail.

Fig. 1 shows, as known in principle, only schematically a knitted fabric 1, which is formed in the embodiment of polyester. The knitted fabric 1 serves in the usual way as a carrier material for in Fig. 2 Camouflage netting 2 illustrated in more detail is subjected to various known treatment steps depending on the camouflage netting 2 that forms as an end product, such as, for example, flameproofing, radar compounding and coloring with IRR values. Advantageous treatment steps for this result for example from the DE 40 23 287 C2 and the DE 26 20 093 A1 ,

How out Fig. 1 As can be seen, the knitted fabric 1 has a hole structure 3 with holes 4. The holes 4 may be diamond-shaped (not shown) and have a diameter or a width and height of 3 mm +/- 0.3 × 2.7 mm +/- 0.5 mm. The hole structure 3 is formed like a checkerboard, wherein the holes 4 of the hole structure 3 in the knitted fabric 1 are arranged in rows. Here are successive rows the holes 4 offset from each other. With regard to the structural design can be provided that correspond to eight holes 4 in length and in width each 5 cm.

How out Fig. 1 It can also be seen that the knitted fabric 1 has compressed and / or sealed areas 5. These areas are formed in the illustrated embodiment as compressed areas in the form of Jacquard patterns 5. Since these are known in principle, has been omitted for clarity, a detailed presentation. The jacquard pattern 5 are arranged so that the knitted fabric 1 penetrating air flow is reduced such that the camouflage net 2 or the surfaces covered by it, vehicles, objects or living things correspond to the ambient temperature. Through the targeted use of the jacquard pattern 4 on the knitted fabric 1, a thermal camouflage signature is achieved.

An embodiment of the compacted and / or sealed areas as jacquard pattern 5 has proven to be particularly suitable since the technical character of the camouflage net 2 is retained and no problems arise during folding in the camouflage net 2 or during spreading. The camouflage net 2 formed with the jacquard pattern 5 can thus be handled just as easily as conventionally known camouflage nets.

How out Fig. 1 is also apparent, the jacquard pattern 5 are arranged irregularly and have different sizes and shapes. The flexible design allows a corresponding adaptation or modification according to the different desert areas.

An application of the Jacquard pattern 5 such that less than 20% of the total knitted fabric 1 are covered, has been found to be sufficient. To increase the stability of the knitted fabric 1 weft entries 6, for example in the form of thicker threads, can be provided. It is advantageous if the entire knitted fabric 1 is uniformly provided with the weft entries 6. For clarity, are in Fig. 1 however, only four shot entries 6 are shown. The knitted fabric 1 is highly loaded by the weft entries 6, so that an employment of the camouflage net 2 with strong buckling stresses is possible without a breakage of the carrier textile must be feared. Of course, this material can be produced without weft insertion.

A suitable, known manufacturing method results from the DE 297 16 362 U1 ,

A simple and advantageous production of the knitted fabric 1 can by means of a Jacquard Raschel machine or a curtain Jacquard Raschelmaschine with, for example a fineness 18 E done. For the production of jacquard patterns 5, various conventional laying options (eg thick-point relief effect, thinning or sorting) are known, for which reason they will not be discussed in detail below. The basis for this can be, for example, a known tricot binding. In Trikotbindungen the stitching takes place alternately on two adjacent needles. This creates a connection between adjacent rods, so that a textile fabric is formed. The tricot binding can be closed or worked open. An open tricot binding has proven to be advantageous. Since these are known methods, they are not explained in detail.

The introduction of the jacquard pattern 5 in the knitted fabric 1 can be done via a known, not shown gate yarn, which is introduced in normal laying with a three-needle technique. The jacquard pattern 5 can be made differently in any form and for each repeat.

The jacquard pattern 5 can be produced in different densities. It is provided that the jacquard pattern 5 are compressed so that these areas are almost completely closed in the finished state of the camouflage net 2.

In a non-illustrated, but easily imaginable embodiment, in the knitted fabric 1, a jacquard thread 7 in each course of stitches lie over three fringe threads.

In another embodiment, it may be provided in an open variant that only in every other row of stitches the jacquard thread 7 lies over two fringe threads.

Of course, the densified and / or sealed areas can be made in a variety of ways. It is essential that an increased solar heating takes place through the sealed and / or compressed areas and the air circulation through the knitted fabric 1 or the hole structure 3 is reduced.

In the Fig. 2 illustrated path of a repeat may have a polymer layer, not shown, which surrounds the knitted fabric 1 on both sides. The polymer layer can be the carrier layer for absorber pigments represent, which serve for the absorption of radar beams in a microwave range of 10 to 100 GHz. With regard to an advantageous refractory composition of the polymer layer is on the DE 40 23 287 C2 directed.

This in Fig. 2 camouflage net 2 shown can also be provided with a flame retardant layer, which surrounds the knitted fabric 1 on all sides, that is, in the holes 4. A hydrophobic finish of the camouflage net 2 may also be provided.

This in Fig. 2 camouflage net 2 shown in the form of a repeat has a camouflage design with printed patches 8. A plurality of the patches 8 in this case has side edges 9, which are composed to a large extent of at least approximately rectilinear sections. A large number of the straight sections is formed at least approximately parallel to the side edges 10 of the camouflage net 2. In order to obtain the best possible camouflage effect, this number should if possible comprise more than half of the rectilinear sections. By such a configuration, a simple combination of multiple camouflage nets 2 is possible. During assembly, therefore, the linear side edges 10 resulting from the limitation of the camouflage nets 2 do not fall or only to a minimal extent, since the net per se already has a comparatively large number of straight side edges 9 of which in turn a greater proportion extends at least approximately parallel to the side edges 10 of the camouflage net 2.

Claims (15)

1. Camouflage net, in particular for covering persons and articles in the desert to prevent recognition in a thermal image, comprising a knitted fabric with a perforated structure,
   characterized in that by virtue of a variation of the net structure the knitted fabric (1) has condensed and/or stopped-up regions (5).
2. Camouflage net according to claim 1,
   characterized in that the condensed regions of the knitted fabric (1) take the form of jacquard patterns (5).
3. Camouflage net according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the condensed and/or stopped-up region (5) are disposed in such a way that a thermal camouflage signature is produced.
4. Camouflage net according to one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that the condensed and/or stop-stopped-up regions (5) are disposed randomly and/or are of different sizes and/or shapes.
5. Camouflage net according to one of claims 2 to 4,
   characterized in that one jacquard thread (7) in each stitch course lies over three fringe threads.
6. Camouflage net according to one of claims 2 to 4,
   characterized in that one jacquard thread (7) in every second stitch course lies over two fringe threads.
7. Camouflage net according to one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that the perforated structure (3) is preferably of a chequered design and in order to increase the stability of the knitted fabric (1) is provided with weft insertions (6).
8. Camouflage net according to one of claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that the knitted fabric (1) is formed from polyester and the holes (4) of the perforated structure (3) have a diameter or width and/or height of ca. 2 mm to 4 mm, preferably 3 mm x 2.7 mm.
9. Camouflage net according to one of claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that the knitted fabric (1) is provided on both sides with a polymer layer and/or is surrounded all over by a flame protection layer.
10. Camouflage net according to one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterized in that the holes (4) of the perforated structure (3) are of an at least approximately diamond-shaped design.
11. Camouflage net according to one of claims 1 to 10,
    characterized in that the holes (4) of the perforated structure (3) are disposed in courses in the knitted fabric (1), wherein in successive stitch courses the holes (4) are arranged offset relative to one another.
12. Method of manufacturing a camouflage net by means of a knitted fabric provided with a perforated structure,
    characterized in that the hole structure (3) is condensed so that condensed and/or stopped-up regions (5) of different sizes and shapes are introduced randomly into the perforated structure (3).
13. Method according to claim 12,
    characterized in that the condensed and/or stopped-up regions take the form of jacquard patterns (5).
14. Method according to claim 13,
    characterized in that the jacquard pattern (5) is produced by means of a tricot weave.
15. Method according to claim 13 or 14,
    characterized in that the jacquard patterns (5) are condensed in such a way that these regions in the finished state of the camouflage net (2) are almost completely closed.

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