Footwear Outsole Channel Layout for Liquid Drainage and Splash Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear designs face challenges with substances such as water, chemicals, oil, and debris accumulating in the outsole grooves, leading to slippery conditions, material degradation, and health concerns, which require a multifaceted approach in design and materials to address.
Innovation Solution
A wearable apparatus with a lower part featuring a plurality of first channels, second channels, and a convergent channel that guide liquid away from the contact surface, combined with protrusion strips to block liquid from reaching the upper part, enhancing traction and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outsole has grooves and channels for liquid drainage, then traction and stability are improved, but substances such as water, chemicals, oil, and debris accumulate in the grooves leading to material degradation and health concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The outsole is segmented into multiple independent channel systems (first channels, second channels, and convergent channels) that work together to manage liquid flow. The segmentation allows different zones of the outsole to handle specific drainage tasks, preventing accumulation while maintaining traction through distributed channel geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The second channels are nested within the first channels, creating a hierarchical drainage structure. This nested configuration allows the second channels to capture and redirect liquids that enter the first channels, ensuring comprehensive liquid management while maintaining the structural integrity and traction properties of the outsole.
2Reliability
If the outsole channels guide liquid away from the contact surface, then slippery conditions are prevented, but liquid may splash over the footwear and inside the footwear
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion strip acts as an intermediary barrier between the liquid flow path and the footwear upper. It intercepts liquid that has been channeled to the periphery of the outsole, redirecting it away from the footwear opening and preventing splash-in while maintaining the effectiveness of the liquid drainage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion strip is positioned in advance at the periphery of the outsole to intercept liquid before it can reach the footwear opening. This preliminary blocking action prevents liquid from entering the footwear while the channel system simultaneously drains liquid away from the contact surface.
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 apparatus effectively channels away liquid, preventing slips and protecting the wearer from slippery conditions, material degradation, and enhances safety and comfort, while providing a protective barrier against hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of first channels, a plurality of second channels, and a convergent channel that guide liquid away from the contact surface
Implementation Method 2
guide liquid captured within the plurality of first channels, the plurality of second channels, and the convergent channel to the first portion and/or the second portion of the lower part
Data Source
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AI summary
A wearable apparatus is disclosed. The wearable apparatus comprising an upper part, a lower part positioned underneath the upper part, the lower part defining a plurality of first channels, a plurality of second channels, and a convergent channel. Further, each of the plurality of second channels is integrated within a corresponding one of the plurality of first channels or within the convergent channel. Further, each of the plurality of first channels intersect with a first portion of the lower part and with the convergent channel. Further, the convergent channel intersects with a second portion of the lower part. Thereafter, the plurality of first channels, the plurality of second channels, and the convergent channel may be collectively configured to guide liquid captured within the plurality of first channels, the plurality of second channels, and the convergent channel to the first portion and/or the second portion of the lower part.