Coated shoe upper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shoe uppers made from a single material compromise on different requirements for various regions, such as weight, support, and waterproofness, particularly in ball sports, leading to suboptimal ball control and increased weight.
Innovation Solution
A composite shoe upper design using two sheets of different materials with varying thicknesses, connected via a high-water-resistance coating applied through screen-printing, creating a lightweight, smooth, and aesthetically pleasing surface for improved ball control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-material shoe upper is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the shoe upper cannot satisfy different requirements for different regions, leading to increased weight and reduced ball control
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe upper is divided into multiple regions (toe region, heel region, midfoot region) with different material properties. Each region is separately coated with appropriate material thickness and composition to satisfy local requirements, allowing the toe region to be thin for ball control while the heel region provides support, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through region-specific processing
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the shoe upper are given different material characteristics through selective coating. The toe region receives a thinner, more flexible coating for ball control, while the heel region receives a thicker, more supportive coating. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its function without compromising the entire upper, reducing weight where support is less critical
2Device complexity
If a single-material shoe upper is used, then the structure is simple, but the shoe upper cannot provide both thin-fitting toe region for ball control and thick support region for heel, leading to compromised performance
Solution Approach 1:
The upper structure is segmented into functional zones (toe, heel, midfoot) with distinct coating characteristics. The toe region is coated to be thin and flexible for optimal ball control, while the heel region is coated to be thicker for support. This segmentation allows the structure to remain relatively simple while achieving region-specific performance optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The coating application process implements local quality by varying material thickness and composition across different regions. The toe region receives a thinner coating layer for flexibility and ball control, while the heel region receives a thicker coating for structural support. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and functional reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If regions are sewn together to create different material regions, then the upper can satisfy different regional requirements, but the connecting region creates an uneven surface that reduces ball control and creates water entry points
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of sewing separate material regions together, the invention merges the different material regions into a single integrated upper structure. Different regions are coated with appropriate materials while remaining part of the same continuous substrate, eliminating seams and connecting regions. This merging approach maintains adaptability to different regional requirements while eliminating the harmful effects of seams, such as water penetration and surface unevenness that affect ball control
Solution Approach 2:
The upper structure maintains homogeneity in its base material while achieving regional differentiation through coating. All regions start with the same homogeneous substrate, and the desired regional variations are achieved through selective coating application rather than assembling different materials. This approach eliminates seams and connecting regions, preventing water penetration and maintaining a smooth surface for ball control while still satisfying different regional requirements through coating variation
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a coating is applied to the entire upper, then the surface is smooth and waterproof, but the weight of the shoe upper increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying coating uniformly across the entire upper, the invention applies coating selectively to specific regions where it is most needed. The toe region receives minimal or no coating to maintain lightness and ball control, while the heel and midfoot regions receive thicker coating for waterproofness and support. This partial application approach achieves the necessary waterproofness and surface smoothness in critical areas without unnecessarily increasing the weight of the entire upper
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composite structure provides ideal balance and control in different regions, enhancing ball control, reducing weight, and ensuring waterproofness without the need for additional masking or complex coating processes.
Implementation Method 1
applying a first coating onto a first region of the first sheet, a second region of the second sheet, and a third region of the connecting region
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a shoe upper, including (a) a first sheet, (b) a second sheet, (c) a connecting region in which the first sheet is connected to the second sheet, and (d) a first coating. The first coating is applied onto a first region of the first sheet, a second region of the second sheet, and a third region of the connecting region. The first region, the second region, and the third region are connected.