Conductive Polymer Rivets for Grounding Insulated Shoe Soles
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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 essential for grounding and its associated health benefits such as reduced inflammation, regulated circadian rhythm, and improved immune function, as opposed to the conductive footwear that is often cumbersome, difficult to install, and aesthetically unpleasing.
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 and easier to install than traditional copper or rubber plugs.
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 with the earth is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The sole is segmented into insulating portions (for wear resistance and grip) and a conductive rivet portion (for electrical connection). The rivet is a separate component that can be installed through the insulating sole material, creating distinct functional zones within the footwear structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The footwear combines insulating rubber sole material with a conductive polymer rivet. The rivet material has composite properties providing both mechanical strength for installation and electrical conductivity for grounding, merging previously separate functions into a single component.
2Reliability
If traditional copper rivets are used for grounding, then electrical connection is achieved, but comfort and ease of installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rivet material properties are changed from traditional hard copper to a soft, compressive conductive polymer. This parameter change in material hardness and compressibility allows the rivet to be easily pressed through the sole and deforms to conform to the installation hole, dramatically improving ease of installation while maintaining electrical conductivity.
3Reliability
If conductive bands are adhered to footwear, then electrical connection is achieved, but aesthetic appearance and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding function is extracted from the visible upper portions of the footwear and concentrated into a small rivet embedded in the sole. This removes the aesthetic burden from the visible areas, allowing the footwear to maintain its original design while the grounding function is performed by a minimal, hidden component.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding solution moves from two-dimensional bands adhered to the surface to a three-dimensional rivet structure that passes through the sole thickness. This dimensional change allows the grounding element to be embedded within the footwear structure rather than added to the surface, improving aesthetics.
4Reliability
If grounding components are manufactured into footwear, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive rivet is pre-formed as a complete grounding component with integrated conductive material and structural features. This preliminary preparation of the grounding element allows for simple installation into the footwear during manufacturing or even by the end user, avoiding complex integration processes.
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 health benefits associated with earthing, such as reduced inflammation and regulated circadian rhythms, by facilitating electrical connection with the earth.
Implementation Method 1
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
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.