Footwear Upper Braided Structure with Variable Braid Patterns
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear technologies lack the ability to seamlessly integrate varying physical properties, such as tensile strength, flexibility, and abrasion resistance, across different regions of the upper material, which can lead to inconsistent comfort and performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a braided structure with distinct braid patterns, such as Jacquard and Non-Jacquard patterns, applied to different portions of the footwear upper, allowing for customized physical properties like elasticity and durability, achieved through a braiding machine with independent spool control for variable paths and constant paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a uniform material structure is used throughout the footwear upper, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but physical properties such as tensile strength, flexibility, and abrasion resistance become inconsistent across different regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different braid patterns (Jacquard and Non-Jacquard) to different portions of the footwear upper to provide customized physical properties in specific regions. The first braid pattern provides certain elasticity and durability characteristics while the second braid pattern provides different characteristics, allowing each region to be optimized for its specific functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The footwear upper is divided into multiple portions with distinct braid patterns. The braided structure is segmented into different regions (first portion and second portion) that can be independently configured with different braid patterns, allowing for regional optimization of physical properties while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Strength
If higher braid density is used throughout the upper, then structural support and durability are improved, but flexibility and breathability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different braid densities and patterns are applied to different regions of the upper based on functional requirements. Areas requiring higher structural support use denser braid patterns, while areas requiring flexibility and breathability use more open braid patterns, optimizing both strength and ease of operation in their respective locations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple materials with different properties are stitched together, then specific functional characteristics can be provided in different regions, but stitching and adhesive bonding create weight and potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple braid patterns into a single unitary braided structure rather than stitching separate materials together. This integration eliminates the need for stitching and adhesive bonding, reducing weight and potential failure points while maintaining the ability to provide different functional characteristics in different regions through pattern variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite braided structure that integrates different braid patterns (Jacquard and Non-Jacquard) within a single unitary structure. This composite approach allows different functional characteristics to be combined in one piece without requiring separate material components to be joined together.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An upper (102) for an article of footwear (100) is formed by incorporating different braided portions. The upper may be formed by incorporating a first braided portion (132) with a second braided portion (136). The top portion of the upper may have the first braided portion. The lower portion of the upper may have the second braided portion.