Article with coloring layer and control surface layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current footwear designs lack a dynamic and adaptive surface structure that can change properties such as color and protruding element density to enhance traction and ball control, which is essential for various sports and activities.
Innovation Solution
A footwear design featuring a base layer with a color gradient and a control surface layer with protruding elements whose shape, size, material, density, and geometry change correspondingly across the surface, allowing for enhanced traction and control by varying properties like shape, size, material, and density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a uniform surface structure is used across the footwear, then manufacturing is simple, but traction and ball control are insufficient for different regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the properties of protruding elements (size, shape, density, material) in different regions of the footwear surface. Each region has customized protruding element characteristics optimized for its specific function - for example, larger and denser protruding elements in areas requiring enhanced traction, and smaller or sparser elements in areas requiring ball control. This regional differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability without requiring complete structural complexity across the entire surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface structure is segmented into multiple regions, each with distinct protruding element configurations. The footwear surface is divided into zones based on functional requirements, with each zone containing protruding elements with specific properties. This segmentation allows the design to achieve regional adaptability for different sports activities while maintaining a systematic approach to manufacturing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the footwear surface is divided into multiple regions with different properties, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by systematically varying the properties of protruding elements (size, shape, density, material composition) across different regions. These parameter variations are implemented through controlled manufacturing processes that can adjust these properties during production. This approach enables regional adaptation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized production techniques with variable parameters.
3Reliability
If protruding elements are added to enhance traction, then ball control is improved, but the article complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a control surface layer with protruding elements that can adapt their effective properties based on usage conditions. The protruding elements are designed with varying degrees of flexibility, compressibility, and material properties that allow them to dynamically respond to applied forces. This dynamic characteristic enhances ball control reliability while avoiding excessive structural complexity by using material properties and geometric variations rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
An article configured to be worn by a user, such as an article of footwear or an article of apparel, includes a base layer, protruding elements disposed on the base layer, and a region of the article having a first boundary portion, a second boundary portion, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is disposed between the first boundary portion and the second boundary portion. The region includes a portion of the base layer and at least some of the plurality of protruding elements. The surface layer has a color gradient in the region that changes between a first color at the first boundary portion and a second color at the second boundary portion. A property of the plurality of protruding elements disposed within the region changes across the region in a manner that corresponds to the color gradient.