Conductive Shoe with Embedded Outsole Grounding Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrically conductive shoes are cumbersome to manufacture, expensive, and often require conductive rings on the ankles, which are not commonly worn, and they only function effectively with conductive socks or no socks, limiting their usability.
Innovation Solution
An electrically conductive shoe design featuring a conductive device under the outsole with a receiving chamber and flexible conductive members extending through the midsole and upper, allowing static electricity to be conducted to the ground via conductive tape and wires, simplifying the manufacturing process and enabling functionality with or without socks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrically conductive shoes use conductive rings fastened to the ankle, then static electricity can be conducted to the ground, but fewer users will wear the conductive rings on the ankles
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive function is merged into the shoe structure itself by integrating conductive members within the insole and outsole. The conductive insole member and conductive outsole member are combined with the shoe's structural components, eliminating the need for separate ankle rings while maintaining static electricity conduction to ground.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoe structure serves multiple functions: it provides both the structural support of footwear and the static electricity conduction function. The conductive members are embedded within the insole and outsole, allowing the shoe to simultaneously act as both footwear and grounding device, increasing user acceptance.
2Reliability
If conventional electrically conductive shoes provide conductive devices on the insole with multiple conductive members, then static electricity can be conducted to the ground, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and the price is high
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive members are merged with the insole and outsole structures during the shoe manufacturing process. The conductive insole member is integrated into the insole layer, and the conductive outsole member is integrated into the outsole layer, simplifying assembly compared to separate conductive device installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive members are designed with specific electrical resistance parameters (0.1 to 1000 ohm-cm) that optimize static electricity conduction while allowing for cost-effective manufacturing materials and processes.
3Reliability
If conventional electrically conductive shoes require conductive socks or no socks to function, then the conductive path can be established, but the usability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe structure itself provides the complete conductive path from the user's body through the insole and outsole to ground. This universal design works with any type of sock or footwear, as the conductive members are embedded within the shoe structure, eliminating the need for conductive socks or bare feet.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive insole member and conductive outsole member act as intermediaries that establish the conductive path regardless of what the user wears. These embedded conductive members mediate between the user's body and the ground, working effectively whether the user wears no socks, conductive socks, or regular socks.
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 design effectively conducts static electricity to the ground regardless of footwear, while simplifying production and reducing costs, ensuring broader user acceptance and affordability.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive device, which is made of a conductive material, mounted on a bottom of the outsole... a flexible conductive member, which is made of a conductive material, having an end electrically connected to the conductive device... the electrically conductive shoe may conduct static electricity of human body to the ground through the conductive tape, the conductive wire, and the conductive device in sequence
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically conductive shoe includes a shoe body having an upper, a midsole, and an outsole, and the outsole has a receiving chamber. The receiving chamber is communicated with a bore of the midsole. A conductive device is mounted on a bottom of the outsole. A flexible conductive member has an end electrically connected to the conductive device and an opposite end extending to an inner space of the upper through the receiving chamber of the outsole and the bore of the midsole and attached to an inner side of the upper.