Open Shoe Mechanical Interlock for Adhesive-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assembling open shoes, such as adhesive bonding, are laborious, expensive, and prone to external damage, and the materials used are difficult to recycle due to incompatible components.
Innovation Solution
The open shoe design features an insole with edges that engage in a recessed undercut on the sole's perimetric side wall, eliminating the need for adhesive bonding and facilitating easy assembly and disassembly, allowing for mechanical interlocking and improved recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive bonding is used to couple the insole to the sole, then the components are joined together, but the process becomes extremely complex, laborious, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical adhesive bonding system with a mechanical interlocking system. The insole is inserted into a recess formed by an inward rim on the sole, creating a mechanical coupling that eliminates the need for solvents, primers, UV irradiation, and adhesive application steps. This mechanical substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining coupling strength while dramatically simplifying the bonding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the coupling function into two distinct components: the inward rim structure on the sole and the corresponding recess receiving the insole edges. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard molding processes, then assembled through simple insertion, thereby reducing overall process complexity while maintaining joint strength.
2Strength
If adhesive bonding is used to couple the insole to the sole, then the components are joined together, but the process takes a long time and increases production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The inward rim and recess structures are pre-formed during the molding of the sole and insole components, respectively. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-assembly bonding operations, allowing components to be coupled immediately through insertion. The pre-formed mechanical features enable rapid assembly without the time-consuming steps of adhesive application, curing, and pressing, thereby significantly improving productivity while maintaining coupling strength.
3Strength
If adhesive bonding is used to couple the insole to the sole, then the components are joined together, but the coupling is easily affected by external agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical adhesive bond with a mechanical interlocking system where the insole edges are physically retained within the recess formed by the inward rim. This mechanical coupling is not susceptible to degradation from water, heat, or chemical exposure that would affect adhesive bonds. The reliability is improved because the mechanical interlock maintains its coupling strength regardless of external environmental agents.
4Strength
If adhesive bonding is used to couple the insole to the sole, then the components are joined together, but the materials become difficult to recycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shoe into separable components (insole and sole) connected by a reversible mechanical interface. The inward rim and recess design allows the insole to be easily removed from the sole without damaging either component. This segmentation enables the materials to be separated for recycling, resolving the contradiction by maintaining coupling strength during use while facilitating material recovery and recycling at end-of-life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the insole to be easily removed and recovered from the sole through the mechanical interlock design. The inward rim structure allows for simple disassembly by pulling the insole outward, facilitating material recovery and recycling. This approach contrasts with adhesive bonding where separation damages components and complicates recycling, thereby improving ease of manufacture through enhanced recyclability.
Data Source
AI summary
An open shoe, such as a slipper, sandal and the like, comprising a sole with which an insole and an upper are associated. The insole has part of its edges engaged in a corresponding recess, which is provided as an undercut on the upper perimetric side wall of the sole and is formed by an inward rim, which is perimetric and has, for each side of the sole, a discontinuity for guiding insertion of the edges of the insole in the inward lip. The discontinuities are located at at least part of the regions of the side wall where the upper connects.