Footwear Illuminable Panel with Adjacent Strands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional footwear lacks visibility in low-light conditions, which can increase the risk of accidents and make it difficult to see obstacles, and existing solutions do not effectively enhance the aesthetic appeal while providing improved visibility.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an illuminable panel with a surface having a covered and exposed area, along with strands positioned adjacent to the exposed area, powered by an illumination circuit that includes electroluminescent panels or light-emitting diodes to increase visibility of the wearer and surroundings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional footwear materials are used, then the footwear maintains standard appearance and comfort, but the visibility in low-light conditions is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility in low-light conditionsVSAvoidfootwear structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The footwear upper is divided into multiple panels, with specific panels incorporating illuminable elements and strands. This segmentation allows the illumination function to be integrated into specific zones without requiring the entire footwear structure to be redesigned, thus improving visibility while controlling complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into the footwear upper: structural support, aesthetic design, and illumination. The illuminable panels and strands are integrated directly into the upper construction, merging the lighting function with the existing footwear structure rather than adding separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If illuminable panels and strands are added to enhance visibility, then safety and aesthetic appeal are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety through improved visibilityVSAvoidfootwear manufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The illuminable panels and strands are positioned and prepared during the footwear manufacturing process itself, rather than being added as post-production modifications. The strands are threaded through the upper during construction, and the illuminable panels are integrated into the panel structure before final assembly, enabling illumination components to be incorporated efficiently into the manufacturing workflow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If strands are positioned adjacent to the illuminable panel, then structural reinforcement is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural reinforcement of upperVSAvoidupper construction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The strands serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural reinforcement to the upper, act as aesthetic design elements, and serve as conduits or supports for the illuminable components. By making the strands multi-functional, the patent achieves structural reinforcement without adding separate reinforcement elements that would increase complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enhances the visibility of the wearer and obstacles in low-light conditions, providing both safety and a unique aesthetic appeal by illuminating specific areas of the footwear, while also allowing for structural reinforcement through the use of strands.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS10159298B2Article of footwear incorporating an illuminable panel

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 NIKE INC

AI summary

An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes an illuminable panel and a plurality of strands positioned to extend adjacent and parallel to the illuminable panel. The illuminable panel has a surface with a covered area and an exposed area. The covered area includes a substantially opaque covering, and the exposed area is at least partially visible from the exterior of the footwear. The strands are located to correspond with the exposed area of the illuminable panel. Light from the exposed area of the illuminable panel may enhance, highlight, or otherwise increase the visibility of the strands or areas of the upper that include the strands.