Honeycomb Cushioning Device with Phase Change Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cushioning devices in shoes and mattresses fail to provide adequate shock absorption, even pressure distribution, and temperature regulation, leading to discomfort, blisters, and heat-related issues due to inadequate damping and resilience, as well as trapped heat and moisture.
Innovation Solution
A honeycomb or hexagonal array of elastic, compressible material that allows or restricts airflow to enhance damping and pressure support while incorporating a cooling fluid for temperature regulation, integrated into shoe soles or as separate inserts, and adaptable for various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cushioning materials are used to absorb shocks and impacts, then comfort is improved, but heat is generated and trapped causing discomfort and blisters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a honeycomb structure with numerous cells containing phase change material. This porous configuration allows air circulation through the insole while the phase change material absorbs heat through phase transitions, effectively managing temperature without compromising cushioning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates phase change material within the honeycomb cells that absorbs excess heat by transitioning between solid and liquid states. This phase transition mechanism actively regulates temperature by absorbing heat during compression and movement, preventing heat buildup while maintaining cushioning effectiveness
2Force
If coil springs are used to provide cushioning and support, then shock absorption is improved, but uneven pressure distribution occurs causing pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cushioning function into numerous individual honeycomb cells distributed across the insole. Each cell independently absorbs shock and distributes pressure locally, collectively providing uniform pressure distribution across the entire foot surface while maintaining effective shock absorption
Solution Approach 2:
The honeycomb structure provides locally optimized cushioning at each cell location, with each cell independently responding to applied pressure. This localized pressure distribution across many small cells creates overall even support across the foot, eliminating the pressure concentration issues of discrete coil springs
3Stress or pressure
If honeycomb insole is used to improve pressure distribution and damping, then comfort is improved, but heat is trapped due to lack of airflow causing sweating and blisters
Solution Approach 1:
The honeycomb structure inherently provides airflow channels between and through the cells, allowing heat dissipation while maintaining the even pressure distribution characteristics of the honeycomb configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material within the honeycomb cells actively manages heat by absorbing thermal energy during phase transitions, counteracting the heat trapping that would otherwise occur in closed-cell honeycomb structures
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 provides improved comfort by enhancing cushioning, reducing heat generation, and preventing blisters through even pressure support and temperature regulation, improving user experience in shoes and mattresses.
Implementation Method 1
The array of cells is enclosed to form an enclosed space containing a phase change material for selectively cooling the wearer's foot.
Implementation Method 2
A honeycomb or hexagonal array of elastic, compressible material that allows or restricts airflow to enhance damping and pressure support
Implementation Method 3
when external pressure is applied to the cushion device within a first area at one or more of the plurality of cells to compress the one or more of the plurality of cells from an initial state to a compressed state, a fluid flows in a first direction from the first area within the one or more of the plurality of cells into a second area within one or more adjacent cells
Data Source
AI summary
A cushion device is provided comprising a plurality of cells arranged in an array. Each one of the plurality of cells may comprise a plurality of vertical walls interconnected to form a vertical structure. Each vertical wall of each cell may be connected to an adjacent vertical wall of an adjacent cell such that each cell is connected to a plurality of adjacent cells. Each of the plurality of vertical walls may comprise a port where the port of each vertical wall of each cell may be in fluid communication with an adjacent port of the adjacent vertical wall of the adjacent cell via a fluid aperture.