Modular Footwear with Removable Upper and Sole
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoes are not customizable, leading to wastefulness when damaged, as the entire shoe must be replaced, and they lack ecological friendliness due to fixed design and material constraints.
Innovation Solution
A modular footwear system where the upper and sole can be separately selected and attached using a reversible connection system, such as lugs and holes, allowing users to customize and repair components independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upper is fixedly connected to the sole, then the shoe structure is simple and strong, but the user cannot customize the footwear and must replace the entire shoe when damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear is divided into separate modular components: an upper and a sole that can be independently selected, attached, and replaced. The attachment system includes separate elements on the upper and corresponding elements on the sole, allowing the components to be assembled together while maintaining the ability to customize and repair individual parts without replacing the entire footwear.
2Ease of repair
If the upper is fixedly connected to the sole, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the entire shoe must be discarded when one component is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear is divided into separate modular components: an upper and a sole that can be independently selected, attached, and replaced. The attachment system includes separate elements on the upper and corresponding elements on the sole, allowing the components to be assembled together while maintaining the ability to customize and repair individual parts without replacing the entire footwear.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular attachment system enables users to discard only the damaged component (either the upper or the sole) while retaining and reusing the intact component. This reduces material waste by recovering and continuing to use the undamaged portion of the footwear instead of discarding the entire shoe.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed-design shoes are used, then the product is simple to manufacture, but the user cannot adapt the footwear to different styles, weather conditions, or locations
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear is divided into separate modular components: an upper and a sole that can be independently selected, attached, and replaced. The attachment system includes separate elements on the upper and corresponding elements on the sole, allowing the components to be assembled together while maintaining the ability to customize and repair individual parts without replacing the entire footwear.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is designed with universal compatibility, allowing different uppers to be attached to the same sole and vice versa. The attachment elements on the upper and sole are configured to work together in a standardized manner, enabling users to mix and match components for different styles, weather conditions, and locations while using a single production platform.
Data Source
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Figure 4~5B
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AI summary
Footwear (1) comprising a sole (2) and an upper (3), wherein the sole (2) comprises a bottom surface (2a), suitable for contacting the ground during use, and a sidewall (2c) that extends from the bottom surface (2a) and is placed at the outer periphery (12) of the sole (2), wherein the upper (3) is removable attachable to the sole (2) whereby obtaining the footwear (1). The present invention further discloses a method for assembling the footwear.