Conductive Polymer Rivets for Grounded Shoes Without Hard Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern footwear with insulating rubber soles disrupts the human body's ability to electrically connect with the earth, which is beneficial for reducing inflammation, regulating circadian rhythm, and boosting the immune system, as it was in primitive times, and existing aftermarket grounding devices are not aesthetically pleasing, easy to install, or comfortable.
Innovation Solution
Conductive polymer rivets are designed for easy installation into various types of shoes, providing a comfortable and aesthetically discreet way to ground the user to the earth by acting as a conduit for electrical connection, using a soft and compressive composition that is more comfortable than hard conductive materials and easier to install.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If insulating rubber soles are used in footwear, then grip and wear resistance are improved, but electrical connection to the earth is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The sole is divided into multiple layers: an insulating rubber outsole for wear resistance and grip, and a conductive polymer layer embedded within for electrical connection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The footwear incorporates a composite structure combining insulating rubber material for the outsole with conductive polymer material embedded in the sole. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of mechanical durability and electrical conductivity.
2Reliability
If conventional grounding devices are installed in footwear, then electrical grounding is achieved, but aesthetic appearance and comfort are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding function is merged into the shoe's construction itself by embedding conductive polymer material within the sole during manufacturing. This eliminates the need for separate, intrusive grounding devices and integrates the grounding function seamlessly into the footwear structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive polymer material's physical properties (softness, compressibility) are optimized to match the comfort requirements of footwear, changing from hard conductive materials to soft polymers that conform to the foot and provide comfort while maintaining electrical conductivity.
3Reliability
If hard conductive materials are used for grounding, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but comfort and ease of installation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The material hardness parameter is changed from hard conductive materials to soft, compressible conductive polymers. This parameter change enables the material to be easily installed by compression and molding while maintaining sufficient electrical conductivity for grounding purposes.
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 conductive polymer rivets allow for a convenient, permanent, and comfortable method to ground shoes, maintaining stylistic and functional needs while providing the benefits of electrical grounding, such as reduced inflammation and circadian rhythm regulation, by allowing a slight negative charge from the earth to be transmitted to the body.
Implementation Method 1
conductive polymer rivets... acting as a conduit for electrical connection... allow for a slight negative charge from the earth to be transmitted to the body
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to novel conductive polymer rivets designed to allow a user to ground a shoe, including a sandal. They allow for easy installation into various types of shoes resulting in a comfortable, aesthetic and grounded shoe. The present technology also relates to kits incorporating such conductive polymer rivets with instructions for inserting such rivets into a shoe. The present technology further relates to methods of inserting such conductive polymer rivets into shoes. The present technology also relates to shoes with the present conductive polymer rivets inserted therein.