Knitted Sports Shoe Upper With Multi-Level Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional soccer shoes are often water-resistant but lack sufficient ventilation and have unsatisfactory fit due to limited lacing options.
Innovation Solution
A soccer shoe with a knitted upper structure featuring multiple sets of openings at different height levels and a semi-permeable membrane that allows moisture and water vapor transfer while preventing external moisture entry, combined with a reinforced structure and a stretchable collar for customizable fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional water-resistant materials are used for the shoe upper, then water resistance is improved, but ventilation and moisture transfer capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe upper incorporates a knitted structure with intentionally created openings (first and second sets of openings at different height levels) that provide ventilation pathways. These porous characteristics enable moisture vapor to escape from the interior to the exterior while the semi-permeable membrane blocks liquid water penetration, thus achieving both ventilation and water resistance simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple materials with complementary properties: a knitted structure material providing ventilation and breathability, and a semi-permeable membrane material providing water resistance. This composite construction allows the shoe upper to exhibit both ventilation capability and water resistance, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional lacing structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but fit customization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The knitted structure is divided into multiple sections with distinct sets of openings (first set at a first height level, second set at a second height level) along the longitudinal extension. This segmentation allows laces to be threaded through specific openings at different locations, enabling customized fit adjustment in various regions of the shoe while maintaining the integrated knitted construction that preserves manufacturing efficiency
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 both water resistance and breathability, along with a customizable fit through various lacing options, enhancing user comfort and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a semi-permeable membrane is arranged between the foot of the wearer and the knitted structure which covers the openings of the knitted structure
Implementation Method 2
the semi-permeable membrane allows the flow of moisture and/or water vapour from the foot of the wearer through the semi-permeable membrane and via the openings to the outer side of the shoe upper and prevents the transfer from moisture from the outer side of the shoe upper to the foot of the wearer
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe includes a shoe upper and a sole which is connected with the shoe upper. The shoe upper includes a knitted structure which at least partially surrounds a foot of a wearer during intended use of the shoe. The knitted structure has a first set of openings arranged side by side along both a lateral and a medial side of the shoe upper. The knitted structure has a second set of openings arranged side by side along both a lateral and a medial side of the shoe upper. The first set of openings are at a first height level of the shoe, the second set of openings are at a second height level of the shoe, and the first height level is different than the second height level.