Knitted Thermal-Insulating Inner-Boot for Mountaineering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal-insulating inner-boots for mountaineering boots are laborious and costly to produce, with poorly flexible and non-breathable structures that slow down drying, posing safety risks in high-altitude environments.
Innovation Solution
A thermal-insulating inner-boot with a knitted-structure upper, comprising a soft and flexible design with a cavity-wall and integrated thermal-insulating material, allowing for easier assembly, improved breathability, and quicker drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional thermal-insulating inner-boots are used with polymeric foam material and double-lined construction, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal-insulating material directly into the knitted fabric structure during the knitting process itself, eliminating the need for separate lining layers and assembly steps. The insulating properties are integrated into the base material through the knitting pattern rather than adding separate polymeric foam layers and double-lined constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex polymeric foam material and double-lined construction from the traditional inner-boot design. By removing these separate components and their associated manufacturing steps, the design achieves simpler production while maintaining thermal insulation through the knitted fabric's inherent structure.
2Temperature
If traditional thermal-insulating inner-boots with polymeric foam and double-lined structure are used, then thermal insulation is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive polymeric foam material and complex double-lined construction from the traditional design. By extracting these costly components and replacing them with a simpler knitted fabric structure that provides equivalent insulation, production costs are reduced while maintaining thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cost-effective knitted fabric construction that can be produced more cheaply than traditional polymeric foam-based inner-boots. The knitted structure allows for more economical manufacturing processes while achieving the required thermal insulation performance for mountaineering applications.
3Temperature
If traditional thermal-insulating inner-boots with thick polymeric foam and double-lined structure are used, then thermal insulation is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermal insulation function directly into the flexible knitted fabric structure, eliminating the need for thick polymeric foam layers that restrict movement. The insulation is achieved through the knitting pattern itself, allowing the material to remain flexible and conform to the foot's movements while providing adequate thermal protection.
4Temperature
If traditional thermal-insulating inner-boots with non-breathable polymeric foam structure are used, then thermal insulation is improved, but breathability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent porosity and air permeability of knitted fabric structures to provide breathability. The open knit pattern allows moisture vapor to escape while still trapping enough air to provide thermal insulation, eliminating the need for impermeable polymeric foam layers that trap moisture and prevent breathing.
5Temperature
If traditional thermal-insulating inner-boots with non-breathable structure are used, then thermal insulation is improved, but drying time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the breathable, porous nature of knitted fabric to enable rapid evaporation and drying of moisture. The open structure allows water to escape quickly from the inner-boot, dramatically reducing drying time compared to impermeable polymeric foam constructions that trap moisture inside.
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 new design reduces production costs and complexity, enhances breathability and flexibility, and accelerates drying, making it safer and more comfortable for high-altitude use.
Implementation Method 1
thermal-insulating inner-boot
Implementation Method 2
breathable structure...accelerates drying
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal-insulating inner-boot for mountain boots comprising: an upper with a thermal-insulating structure, which is shaped so as to cover the user's foot and lower part of the leg; and a plate-like insole with a thermal-insulating structure, which is arranged to close the lower opening of the upper so as to cover the sole of the user's foot; the upper being shaped substantially like an overturned funnel, and including a single-piece knitted fabric structure which has, inside itself, at least one cavity-wall and also at least one sheet/piece of soft and flexible thermal-insulating material that is stably trapped within said cavity-wall.