Induction Heating Shoe Bonding Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing shoes, such as microwave heating, are limited to specific types of hot melt bonds and lack flexibility in material selection, restricting the types of shoe members that can be easily bonded together.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using an induction heating process with a bonding aid member comprising different thermoplastics and a conductive material to selectively heat and bond shoe members, allowing for various combinations of materials and increased design flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If microwave heating method is used to bond shoe members, then selective heating of hot melt bond is achieved and shoe members are suppressed from heating, but the selectable hot melt bonds are limited to those composed of thermoplastic that can be heated by microwave absorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of shoe productionVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces microwave heating with induction heating to bond shoe members. Induction heating uses a magnetic field generated by a coil to directly heat the hot melt bond through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the limitation of microwave absorption requirements. This substitution enables the use of various thermoplastic materials that were not suitable for microwave heating, thereby improving material selection flexibility while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the heating method parameter from microwave radiation to induction heating via magnetic field. By altering the physical parameter of the heating process, the patent expands the range of compatible hot melt bond materials to include thermoplastics that respond to magnetic field heating but not microwave heating, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and material versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bonding methods are used to adhere shoe members, then material selection is not restricted, but the process does not enable easy production with selective heating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial selection flexibilityVSAvoidease of shoe production
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional bonding methods with induction heating technology. The induction heating system uses a coil to generate a magnetic field that selectively heats the hot melt bond between shoe members, enabling precise thermal control and selective heating. This substitution maintains material selection flexibility while significantly improving ease of manufacture through automated, controlled heating processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hot melt bond as an intermediary material between shoe members that contains conductive particles. This intermediary enables selective heating through induction by acting as a mediator that converts magnetic field energy into heat locally at the bonding interface,从而实现 easy production with material versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If hot melt bond is selectively heated by microwave irradiation, then shoe members are suppressed from heating, but only thermoplastic hot melt bonds that absorb microwaves can be used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective heating capabilityVSAvoidhot melt bond material range
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes microwave irradiation with induction heating using a magnetic field generated by a coil. This replacement maintains the selective heating capability because the magnetic field can be precisely controlled and localized to the bonding interface, while simultaneously expanding the material range to include all thermoplastics that respond to magnetic field heating, not just those that absorb microwaves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the heating process from electromagnetic radiation (microwave) to magnetic field induction. This parameter change preserves the selective heating function while removing the material restriction, allowing any thermoplastic hot melt bond to be used as long as it can be heated by induction, thus resolving the contradiction between temperature control and material versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enables efficient bonding of diverse shoe components using induction heating, minimizing heat transfer to non-bonding areas and allowing for easy customization and repair of shoes by separating bonded members.

Implementation Method 1

a bonding step of inductively heating the conductive material to add heat to the interface and thereby bond the first shoe member and the second shoe member to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

inductively heating the conductive material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

heat transfer to non-bonding areas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3841910B1Method for producing shoe, shoe, and induction heating bonding apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 ASICS CORP
  • EP3841910B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3841910B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B
  • EP3841910B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An object is to provide a new method for producing a shoe, a shoe that can be easily produced, and an induction heating bonding apparatus capable of performing the method. Provided is a method for producing a shoe, the method including: an arrangement step of arranging a first shoe member and a second shoe member to form an interface through direct contact therebetween, indirect contact with a bonding aid member interposed therebetween, or a combination of the direct contact and the indirect contact, and arranging a conductive material at a position at which the interface can be heated; and a bonding step of inductively heating the conductive material to add heat to the interface and thereby bond the first shoe member and the second shoe member to each other.