Shoe with buffer structure

Abstract

The utility model discloses a shoe with a buffer structure, and relates to the technical field of shoe bodies. The shoe with the buffer structure comprises a shoe sole and the buffer structure arranged in the shoe sole, and at least one cavity capable of being filled with fluid is formed in the buffer structure; the cavity is at least partially provided with an open structure before being filled, a closed structure is formed after the cavity is filled with fluid through the open structure, and the volume of the cavity does not exceed the total volume of the buffer structure. According to the utility model, by filling different fluids and matching with the intelligent supplement module, the real-time dynamic adjustment of the buffer characteristic is realized. The supplementing module is matched with the micro electric pump and the Bluetooth communication module through the sensor to form a closed-loop control system, the pressure of the air cavity is monitored in real time through the air pressure sensor, and the micro pump is controlled to supplement air through the control module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of footwear technology, specifically a shoe with a cushioning structure. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, cushioned shoes on the market mainly rely on pre-installed foam materials (such as EVA, PU, ​​etc.) or air bladder structures (such as air-cushioned shoes) to provide shock absorption. However, existing technologies have the following shortcomings: the shock absorption characteristics of traditional cushioned shoes are fixed during manufacturing; existing air-cushioned or liquid-bladder shoes usually adopt a pre-closed design, which prevents users from changing or adjusting the type and pressure of the internal fluid medium, resulting in limited functionality; existing 3D-printed soles focus more on lightweighting or aesthetic design and fail to effectively combine fillable fluid cavity technology, limiting the scope for performance optimization. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention provides a shoe with a cushioning structure, which overcomes the shortcomings described in the background art.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is:

[0005] A shoe with a cushioning structure includes a sole and a cushioning structure disposed within the sole. The cushioning structure forms at least one cavity that can be filled with fluid. Before filling, the cavity has at least a partially open structure. After fluid is filled into the cavity through the open structure, a closed structure is formed. The volume of the cavity does not exceed the total volume of the cushioning structure.

[0006] The sole, as the supporting foundation of the entire shoe, is typically made of wear-resistant and pressure-resistant materials, providing installation space and mechanical support for the cushioning structure. One or more independent functional units are integrated within the sole, each with a specific cavity structure designed to hold subsequent fluid filling. At least one cavity is included, and multiple independent or interconnected cavity networks can be designed according to cushioning requirements. The cushioning structure can be distributed longitudinally, laterally, or three-dimensionally along the sole, corresponding to different cushioning needs. The morphological design of the cushioning structure includes, but is not limited to, honeycomb, wave-shaped, ring-shaped, semi-ring-shaped, or columnar structures to provide multi-directional cushioning.

[0007] An open structure should be provided in at least a local area of ​​the cavity. This open structure serves as both a filling channel and an interface for subsequent closure. The size and location of the open area must ensure that the fluid can fill smoothly without affecting the overall structural strength.

[0008] A preferred technical solution: the fluid is a liquid material or a gaseous material, the liquid material includes at least one of the following: Newtonian fluid, non-Newtonian fluid, phase change material, and the gaseous material includes at least one of the following: normal pressure air, compressed inert gas, negative pressure adsorption gas.

[0009] When the non-Newtonian fluid is a flexible material, the flexible material is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or uncured liquid silicone rubber. When the flexible material is thermoplastic polyurethane, the commonly used printing technologies that are suitable for it include fused deposition modeling (FDM) and selective laser sintering (SLS). When the flexible material is uncured liquid silicone rubber, the commonly used printing technology that is suitable for it is direct-write 3D printing.

[0010] A preferred technical solution: The open structure includes a reusable sealing interface, which can be any of the following: a magnetic stopcock, a self-locking check valve, or a heat-fused sealing membrane.

[0011] A magnetic stopcock is a reusable opening and closing interface device that uses magnetic force to achieve reliable sealing. It mainly consists of the following core components: a rotary valve core assembly, a valve body structure, and an auxiliary sealing system. Its working principle is as follows: In the open state, the stopcock is rotated to the magnetic pole alignment position (NN / SS). The magnetic repulsion force separates the valve core from the valve seat, and the fluid passage is fully open after separation. In the closed state, it is rotated 90° to the opposite magnetic poles (NS). The magnetic attraction force generates a sealing pressure of ≥50N. The dual sealing mechanism works simultaneously, with the magnetic force pressing the sealing surface tightly and the elastic sealing ring being compressed and deformed.

[0012] A self-locking check valve is a type of valve that allows fluid to flow in one direction and automatically locks to prevent backflow. In shoes with a buffer structure, it is mainly used to control the filling and sealing of fluids (gas or liquid) to ensure the stability of the buffering performance. It mainly consists of the following core components: valve body, valve core, spring, and self-locking mechanism. Its working principle is as follows: During the filling stage (forward flow), external pressure pushes the fluid into the valve. The fluid pressure opens the valve core, overcomes the spring force, and allows the fluid to flow into the cavity. The self-locking mechanism keeps the valve in the open state (such as magnetic attraction or ratchet fixation). During the locking stage (preventing backflow), after the external pressure is removed, the elasticity of the spring / material causes the valve core to return to its original position, and the self-locking mechanism (such as snap-fit ​​or magnetic attraction) ensures that the valve core is tightly closed.

[0013] Hot melt sealing film is a thin film material that achieves permanent sealing through heating and pressurization. In shoes with fluid cushioning structures, it is used to seal cavities after fluid is filled, ensuring long-term sealing.

[0014] A preferred technical solution: The cavity is simultaneously filled with gaseous and liquid materials, and the two media are separated by a flexible diaphragm.

[0015] A preferred technical solution: The non-Newtonian fluid is a silicone oil-based shear-thickening fluid with a mass fraction of 30%-50%, and its viscosity change threshold is 5-8 m / s². 2 .

[0016] A preferred technical solution: The buffer structure includes a cavity integrally formed through additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology is the rapid prototyping of complex structures by layer-by-layer material deposition.

[0017] A preferred technical solution includes a biodegradable support structure pre-placed within the cavity. Specifically, the support structure can be a regular grid structure or a branch structure similar to tree branches. The regular grid structure is suitable for medium-complexity suspended structures, while the branch structure similar to tree branches is suitable for complex or irregular suspended structures.

[0018] By incorporating a support structure near the cavity, the internal shape of the cavity is kept stable, resulting in better fit after the airbag is inserted. The support structure helps the printhead to more accurately position and stack material, especially when printing suspended sections, preventing material sagging or collapse. Biodegradable support structures, such as those made of polyglycolic acid (PVA), degrade in water at room temperature or under heating conditions. PVA has a fast water-soluble rate and strong compatibility. At room temperature (20-30℃), the biodegradable support structure of PVA dissolves slowly; under heating conditions (40-60℃), the dissolution rate is 1-2 hours.

[0019] A preferred technical solution: The cavity is divided into a working chamber and a storage chamber by a flexible diaphragm; a micro pump set is installed in the storage chamber, and an external supplement interface is connected to the storage chamber.

[0020] A preferred technical solution: The sole is equipped with a supplementary module, which includes: a control module, a micro electric pump, a communication module, a battery, and fluid sensors located in each cavity. The control module is electrically connected to the fluid sensors, and the battery is electrically connected to both the control module and the micro electric pump. The communication module is mounted on the control module.

[0021] A method for manufacturing a shoe with a cushioning structure includes the following steps:

[0022] S0. Pre-installed biodegradable support structure: A biodegradable support structure is pre-installed inside the cavity. The support structure is a regular grid structure or a dendritic branch structure.

[0023] S1. Sole and cushioning structure molding: The sole and cushioning structure are integrally molded using additive manufacturing process, and at least one cavity that can be filled with fluid is formed inside the cushioning structure.

[0024] S2. Cavity pretreatment: An open structure is set at a predetermined location in the cavity;

[0025] S3. Fluid filling: Fluid is filled into the cavity through an open structure;

[0026] S4. Enclosure treatment: Enclose the open structure to form a closed cavity structure.

[0027] S5. Supplementary Module Installation: A supplementary module is installed on the upper or sole of the shoe. The supplementary module includes a control module, a micro electric pump, a communication module, a battery, and a fluid sensor.

[0028] A preferred technical solution: Step S1 specifically includes:

[0029] S11. Select the appropriate additive manufacturing process based on the three-dimensional model of the sole and cushioning structure;

[0030] S12. Configure the appropriate printing materials according to the selected process;

[0031] S13. Perform layer-by-layer printing to build the sole and internal cushioning structure layer by layer;

[0032] S14. Post-processing is performed after printing.

[0033] By adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0034] 1. This invention achieves real-time dynamic adjustment of buffering characteristics by filling with different fluids and using an intelligent replenishment module. For example, non-Newtonian fluids (such as shear-thickening fluids) are subjected to 5-8 m / s... 2 The viscosity increases sharply under impact acceleration, providing instantaneous high energy absorption. This buffering mechanism effectively improves the energy absorption rate and has a better buffering effect than traditional EVA foam materials.

[0035] 2. The supplementary module in this utility model, together with a sensor, a micro electric air pump, and a Bluetooth communication module, forms a closed-loop control system. The air pressure sensor monitors the air chamber pressure in real time, and the control module controls the micro pump to replenish air.

[0036] 3. This utility model achieves autonomous and controllable adjustment of the cavity by setting a supplementary module, changing the relative state between the cavity and the sole within its adjustment range, thereby improving the performance. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a certain structure during the preparation process of this utility model;

[0040] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure when fluid is filled from the bottom of the shoe sole;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure with a sealing interface in this utility model;

[0042] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the gas replenishment module;

[0043] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in Example 3 where the cavity is filled with magnetorheological fluid and an electromagnetic coil is used in conjunction.

[0044] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in Example 3, where gaseous and liquid materials are filled simultaneously, and the two media are separated by a flexible diaphragm.

[0045] Explanation of key figure labels:

[0046] 1. Shoe sole; 10. Cushioning structure; 11. Cavity; 12. Support structure; 2. Airbag; 21. Inflation chamber; 22. Inflation interface; 23. Pressure sensor; 24. Sealing interface; 3. Upper; 4. Supplement module; 41. Miniature electric pump; 42. Battery; 43. Control module; 431. Communication module; 44. LED light; 45. Display screen; 46. Housing; 47. Hanging device; 5. Pipe; 6. Electromagnetic coil; 7. Flexible diaphragm. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Example 1

[0048] like Figures 1-2 As shown, this embodiment provides a shoe with a cushioning structure, including a sole 1 and a cushioning structure 10 disposed within the sole 1. The cushioning structure 10 has at least one fluid-fillable cavity 11. Before filling, the cavity 11 has at least a partially open structure. After fluid is filled into the cavity 11 through the open structure, it is sealed using a sealing interface to form a closed structure. The volume of the cavity 11 does not exceed the total volume of the cushioning structure 10. During the filling process, a biodegradable support structure 12 is pre-placed within the cavity 11 to maintain the cavity shape. After filling, the biodegradable support structure degrades naturally or under external conditions. The surface of the sealed cavity 11 is flush with the outer wall of the sole 1.

[0049] Furthermore, this embodiment provides a shoe with a cushioning structure, wherein the filling fluid can be filled from the side end of the sole 1;

[0050] The open structure is located on the side wall of the sole 1. Before filling, the sole 1 is fixed horizontally, and the biodegradable support structure 12 is inserted perpendicularly to the sole for shaping. During filling, fluid is injected into the cavity 11 through the open structure on the side wall. After injection, it needs to stand for a certain period of time to allow the fluid to distribute evenly. After filling, the biodegradable support structure 12 undergoes catalytic degradation under external conditions or natural degradation. Finally, it is sealed with a sealing interface 24 made of the same material as the sole 1. The sealing interface 24 is connected to the sole 1, completely covering the open structure to form a sole with a cushioning structure. Injecting fluid from the side facilitates fluid injection and provides good customization.

[0051] Example 2

[0052] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a shoe with a cushioning structure, where the filling fluid can be filled from the bottom of the sole 1. When the open structure is located inside the sole 1, the sole 1 needs to be inverted before filling, and the biodegradable support structure 12 needs to be aligned parallel to it. The fluid is injected into the cavity 11 through the bottom injection port. After filling, the support structure undergoes catalytic degradation or natural degradation under external conditions, and then the groove is sealed with a suitable sealing interface to ensure the flatness of the sole surface.

[0053] Furthermore, when the open structure is located directly opposite the arch area of ​​the sole 1, it is not necessary to invert the sole 1 during filling. The sole 1 is placed flat on the worktable, and the arch area is fixed by clamps, with the biodegradable support structure 12 attached parallel to it. Fluid is injected into the cavity 11 through the open structure. After filling, the support structure undergoes catalytic degradation or natural degradation under external conditions. The groove is then sealed with a suitable sealing interface 24, thus eliminating the errors that may occur when the sole is inverted and saving process steps. Injecting fluid from the bottom allows the fluid to naturally adhere to the bottom, resulting in good fluid coverage and optimal support.

[0054] Both filling methods were verified for sealing performance using a miniature pressure sensor pre-installed in cavity 11.

[0055] Example 3

[0056] like Figures 4-7 As shown, this embodiment provides a shoe with a cushioning structure. This embodiment is based on the shoe body structure in Embodiment 1, and the corresponding shoe is formed by selecting different fluids.

[0057] When the fluid is a liquid or gaseous material, the liquid material includes at least one of the following: Newtonian fluid, non-Newtonian fluid, or phase change material; the gaseous material includes at least one of the following: atmospheric pressure air, compressed inert gas, or negative pressure adsorbed gas; the non-Newtonian fluid can be a silicone oil-based shear thickening fluid with a mass fraction of 30%-50%, and its viscosity change threshold is 5-8 m / s². 2 ;

[0058] When the selected silicone oil-based shear thickening fluid (STF) has a mass fraction of 30%-50%, it is suitable for high-intensity transient impact designs, such as basketball jumps / running landings, with precise threshold triggering, avoiding the "too soft / too hard" problem. Using a 30% concentration, the shoe body can be designed for marathon running shoes, balancing response and weight; using a 50% concentration, the shoe body can be designed for basketball shoes, capable of withstanding high-frequency, high-intensity impacts. The 30-50% silicone oil-based STF achieves threshold triggering characteristics through precise concentration control, offering significant advantages over ordinary STFs in transient impact protection.

[0059] Common Newtonian fluids include deionized water and liquid paraffin. Common non-Newtonian fluids (shear-thickening fluids) include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), uncured liquid silicone rubber, carbon black-silicone oil thixotropic fluid, and magnetorheological fluid. When carbon black-silicone oil thixotropic fluid is selected as the filler of cavity 11, its resistance change is used to monitor foot pressure distribution. When magnetorheological fluid (MRF) is selected as the filler of cavity 11, the control module 43 may further include an electromagnetic coil 6. The electromagnetic coil 6 can be connected to the control module 43 through wires. When the electromagnetic coil 6 is energized, it generates a magnetic field of 0.1-1T, which increases the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid. Common phase change materials include fatty acids and bio-based PCM. When any two or three of Newtonian fluids, non-Newtonian fluids, and phase change materials are selected, and the corresponding materials cannot exist in the same cavity 11, a membrane that can be used for isolation or different materials can be placed in their respective cavities 11 can be used to achieve this.

[0060] When the cavity 11 is filled with both gaseous and liquid materials, the two media are separated by a flexible diaphragm 7. The flexible diaphragm 7 can be made of PU film (thickness 0.2mm, tensile strength > 50MPa) and prefabricated into a pleated and stretchable shape.

[0061] Furthermore, the open structure may specifically include a reusable sealing interface 24, which may be any of the following: a magnetic stopcock, a self-locking check valve, or a heat-fused sealing membrane.

[0062] Furthermore, the buffer structure 10 includes a cavity 11 integrally formed by an additive manufacturing process.

[0063] Furthermore, the cavity 11 is divided into a working chamber and a storage chamber by a flexible diaphragm 7; a micro pump set is installed in the storage chamber, and an external supplement interface is connected to the storage chamber.

[0064] Furthermore, the sole 1 is equipped with a supplementary module 4, which includes: a control module 43, a micro electric pump 41, a communication module, a battery 42, and fluid sensors located in each cavity 11. The control module 43 is electrically connected to the fluid sensors, and the battery 42 is electrically connected to the control module 43 and the micro electric pump 41 respectively. The control module 43 is equipped with a communication module. The air outlet of the micro electric pump 41 is connected to the inflation interface 22 through a pipe 5. When inflating, the micro electric pump 41 is a micro electric air pump.

[0065] Taking a fluid as a gaseous material (air), and an external supplementary module 4 with a housing 46 on the shoe upper 3 as an example, the fluid sensor is specifically a pressure sensor 23, and the cushioning structure 10 is specifically an airbag 2. The supplementary module 4, through a micro electric pump 41, a battery 42, and a control module 43, works in conjunction with the pressure sensor 23 to inflate the airbag 2, specifically inflating the inflation chamber 21 within the airbag 2. The battery 42 is a lithium battery, such as a 3.7V lithium polymer battery (LiPo). The working principle is as follows: the pressure sensor 23 inside the airbag 2 detects the air pressure and sends the data to the control module 43. The control module 43 determines whether inflation or deflation is needed based on the sensor data. The control module 43 drives a transistor or MOSFET through an output signal to control the operation of the air pump. The pressure sensor 23 can be of models such as MPX5700 or BMP180, and the control module 43 can be of models such as Arduino, ESP32, or STM32. Specifically, the supplementary module 4 is selectively hung on the heel area of ​​the shoe upper 3 via the hanging component 47. When the supplementary module 4 is placed on the shoe upper 3, the housing 46 cooperates with the micro electric pump 41, and the necessary air inlet is provided on the housing 46; when the supplementary module 4 is placed inside the shoe sole 1, the air inlet can be set in the shoe sole 1, specifically, an air intake passage that communicates with the internal space of the shoe can be formed in the shoe sole 1.

[0066] Furthermore, the supplementary module 4 is equipped with LED lights 44 and a display screen 45. The control system within the supplementary module 4 uses the LED lights 44 and the display screen 45 to provide feedback on the current status (such as air pressure value, inflation complete). The control module 43 is equipped with a communication module 431, such as ESP8266 or HC-05, which is used to connect the control module 43 to a mobile APP or other devices. When the communication module 431 is set, the current status of the supplementary module 4 (such as air pressure value, inflation complete) can be fed back to the mobile APP.

[0067] When preparing the shoe with a cushioning structure according to this utility model, the preparation process can be as follows: During the printing process, when printing reaches the cavity position, the printing is paused; the pre-made airbag 2 can be placed into the cavity, or liquid airbag 2 material can be injected into the cavity, and then printing can continue until the airbag 2 is completely sealed inside the sole 1; then post-processing is performed, the printed parts are post-processed, the airbag 2 is inflated to ensure its airtightness and functionality, and the pressure of the airbag 2 is adjusted as needed to achieve a personalized arch support effect.

[0068] Example 4

[0069] This embodiment provides a shoe with a cushioning structure. The cushioning structure 10 has a cavity 11 inside that can be filled with fluid. The volume of the cavity 11 does not exceed the total volume of the cushioning structure 10. When the volume of the cavity 11 is equal to the total volume of the cushioning structure 10, the space for filling fluid in the cavity 11 is the largest, resulting in a better cushioning effect.

[0070] Example 5

[0071] This embodiment provides a method for manufacturing a shoe with a cushioning structure, including the following steps:

[0072] S0. Pre-installed biodegradable support structure 12: A biodegradable support structure 12 is pre-installed inside the cavity 11. The support structure 12 is a regular grid structure or a dendritic branch structure.

[0073] S1. Molding of sole 1 and cushioning structure 10: The sole 1 and the cushioning structure 10 disposed in the sole 1 are integrally molded using additive manufacturing process. At least one cavity 11 that can be filled with fluid is formed inside the cushioning structure 10.

[0074] S2. Cavity 11 pretreatment: An open structure is set at a predetermined position in cavity 11;

[0075] S3. Fluid filling: Fluid is filled into cavity 11 through an open structure;

[0076] S4. Enclosure treatment: Enclose the open structure to form a closed cavity 11 structure.

[0077] S5. Installation of Supplementary Module 4: A supplementary module 4 is installed on the upper 3 or the sole 1. The supplementary module 4 includes a control module 43, a micro electric pump 41, a communication module, a battery 42, and a fluid sensor.

[0078] Furthermore, step S1 specifically includes:

[0079] S11. Based on the three-dimensional models of the sole 1 and the cushioning structure 10, select the appropriate additive manufacturing process;

[0080] S12. Configure the appropriate printing materials according to the selected process;

[0081] S13. Perform layered printing to build the sole 1 and the built-in cushioning structure 10 layer by layer;

[0082] S14. After printing, post-processing is performed. Common post-processing methods include checking the appearance of the finished product.

[0083] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, and therefore cannot be used to limit the scope of the present utility model. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the present utility model patent and the contents of the specification should still fall within the scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A shoe with a cushioning structure, characterized in that, include: soles; A cushioning structure is provided inside the sole of the shoe, wherein at least one cavity that can be filled with fluid is formed inside the cushioning structure; The cavity has at least a partially open structure before being filled. After fluid is filled into the cavity through the open structure, a closed structure is formed. The volume of the cavity does not exceed the total volume of the buffer structure.

2. The shoe with a cushioning structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The open structure is located on the side or bottom of the sole.

3. The shoe with a cushioning structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fluid is a liquid material or a gaseous material. The liquid material includes at least one of the following: Newtonian fluid, non-Newtonian fluid, phase change material. The gaseous material includes at least one of the following: normal pressure air, compressed inert gas, negative pressure adsorption gas.

4. The shoe with a cushioning structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The open structure includes a reusable sealing interface, which can be any of the following: a magnetic stopcock, a self-locking check valve, or a heat-fused sealing membrane.

5. The shoe with a cushioning structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cavity is simultaneously filled with gaseous and liquid materials, and the two media are separated by a flexible diaphragm.

6. The shoe with a cushioning structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The non-Newtonian fluid is a silicone oil-based shear-thickening fluid with a mass fraction of 30%-50%, and its viscosity change threshold is 5-8 m / s². 2 .

7. The shoe with a cushioning structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer structure includes a cavity integrally formed by an additive manufacturing process.

8. The shoe with a cushioning structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a biodegradable support structure pre-placed within the cavity.

9. The shoe with a cushioning structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cavity is divided into a working chamber and a storage chamber by a flexible diaphragm; a micro pump set is installed in the storage chamber, and an external supplement interface is connected to the storage chamber.

10. The shoe with a cushioning structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sole is equipped with a supplementary module, which includes: a control module, a micro electric pump, a communication module, a battery, and fluid sensors disposed in each cavity. The control module is electrically connected to the fluid sensors, and the battery is electrically connected to the control module and the micro electric pump respectively. The communication module is disposed on the control module.

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