Knit Athletic Shoe Upper with Bio-Based Composite Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional athletic shoes often use environmentally harmful synthetic materials and are not designed for easy recycling, lacking water resistance and durability, which affects athletic performance and comfort.
Innovation Solution
The shoe features a sole and upper portion made from bio-based materials like Eucalyptus fiber, with a knit textile construction that includes regions with varying textile properties for enhanced support, comfort, and stability, and a design that allows for easy recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional shoes are constructed from synthetic materials to achieve desired durability and foot support, then durability and support are improved, but environmental harm increases and recyclability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining bio-based materials (such as eucalyptus fiber) with synthetic materials in the upper portion of the shoe. This allows the shoe to maintain durability and foot support from the synthetic components while the bio-based components provide environmental benefits and recyclability. The mixed material construction achieves both mechanical performance and environmental sustainability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional shoes use synthetic materials to achieve desired durability, then durability is improved, but ease of recycling worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shoe into distinct material zones within the upper portion, separating bio-based materials from synthetic materials. This segmentation allows different components to be treated differently during recycling - the bio-based portions can be composted or biodegraded while the synthetic portions can be recovered and reused, significantly improving recyclability while maintaining overall durability.
3Reliability
If traditional athletic shoes use stiff soles to provide enhanced support, then foot support is improved, but recyclability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing enhanced support only in specific areas where it is needed for athletic performance, rather than making the entire sole uniformly stiff. This allows the sole to maintain necessary structural support while using materials and designs that are more easily recyclable in non-critical areas, balancing performance requirements with environmental sustainability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If traditional shoes are formed by attaching multiple separate components together, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components into a unified upper portion construction where bio-based and synthetic materials are integrated during the knitting process. This merging reduces the number of separate attachment operations needed while maintaining structural stability through the inherent properties of the knitted composite structure, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
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 shoe provides improved athletic performance, comfort, and environmental sustainability by using eco-friendly materials and a design that enhances durability and recyclability, while reducing the use of harmful chemicals and waste.
Implementation Method 1
The cuff region may have a first elasticity. The upper portion may include a flex region having a second elasticity. The flex region and the cuff region may be configured to stretch to increase a size of the opening.
Implementation Method 2
The flex region may be configured to pull the peripheral region against a wearer's foot to provide enhanced structural stability.
Implementation Method 3
The cuff region may be configured to exert an elastic force that draws the heel retainer against the wearer to retain the shoe on the wearer.
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe may include various features to improve performance, increase manufacturing efficiency, and provide environmental benefits over traditional shoes. In some cases, a shoe includes an upper portion constructed from a continuous textile that includes multiple regions having different textile properties to improve the performance of the shoe, including durability and comfort. The upper portion may define a cuff region and a flex region adapted to expand to allow a wearer to put on the shoe and to contract to retain the shoe on the wearer's foot. The shoe may further include a heel retainer adapted to conform to a shape of the wearer's foot and retain the shoe on the wearer's foot. Eyelets of the shoe may be positioned along an external surface of the upper portion to improve comfort and simplify manufacturing.