Article with coloring layer and control surface layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current articles of footwear lack a method to effectively integrate a coloring layer and control surface layer that provides both aesthetic appeal and functional performance, such as enhanced traction and ball control, through a composite structure with a base material, coloring ink layer, and protruding elements that change properties in correspondence with a color gradient.

Innovation Solution

A method involving printing a coloring ink layer onto a base material element and adding protruding elements on the outer side, forming a composite structure with a base layer, coloring ink layer, and control surface layer, where the materials and properties of the layers change across regions to create a color gradient and varying element density, enhancing both appearance and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single-layer structure is used for the upper, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it cannot provide both aesthetic appeal and functional performance simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddual functionality (aesthetic and performance)

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The upper is divided into multiple functional layers: a base layer providing structural support, a coloring layer providing aesthetic appearance, and a control surface layer with protruding elements providing functional performance. Each layer can be manufactured separately and then combined, allowing optimization of each layer's properties independently while achieving multiple functions in the final product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structures where different materials with distinct properties are combined in layers. The base layer uses one material for structural integrity, the coloring layer uses another material for aesthetic properties, and the control surface layer uses a third material for enhanced performance characteristics, creating a multi-functional composite structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If a uniform surface structure is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it cannot provide varied traction and control properties across different regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtraction and control performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control surface layer incorporates protruding elements with varying properties in different regions of the upper. The density, size, shape, and material composition of the protruding elements are locally optimized to provide enhanced traction and control in specific areas where they are most needed, while maintaining simpler structures in areas where less performance is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple layers with different materials are used, then aesthetic appeal and functional performance are both achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual functionality (aesthetic and performance)VSAvoidlayered structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple manufacturing operations into an integrated process. The coloring layer is printed or applied onto the base layer, and then the control surface layer with protruding elements is formed on top of the coloring layer in a sequential manner. This merging of operations reduces the overall complexity compared to manufacturing separate components and assembling them, while still achieving the multi-functional layered structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If the protruding elements have uniform properties throughout, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it cannot provide optimized performance in different contact regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidperformance optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9894961B2Article with coloring layer and control surface layer

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 NIKE INC

AI summary

An article, such as an article of footwear or an article of apparel, includes an upper having a gradient-like coloring pattern. The article further includes protruding elements configured in a pattern that corresponds to the coloring pattern. The article may have a layered structure including a base layer, a coloring ink layer and a layer of protruding elements.