Multilayer Protective Footwear with Adsorption Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protective footwear for military and NBC applications is burdened with additional weight and reduced comfort due to the use of overshoes or socks, which fail to provide an efficient seal against toxic chemical agents, allowing penetration and compromising protection.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer shoe construction with an outer layer, an inner layer, and an adsorption layer containing activated carbon between them, optionally enhanced with a low-permeability membrane, to absorb and prevent toxic chemical agents from reaching the foot, while maintaining comfort and allowing for decontamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NBC overshoes are worn over regular footwear, then protective function against toxic agents is provided, but additional weight is added and wearing comfort is drastically reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective function and comfort function into a single integrated shoe construction. The shoe combines an outer layer for protection, an adsorption layer with activated carbon for chemical agent absorption, and an inner layer for comfort, eliminating the need for separate overshoes and regular footwear.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoe uses composite material construction with multiple layers having different functions. The outer layer provides mechanical protection, the adsorption layer contains activated carbon for chemical absorption, and the inner layer provides comfort, creating a composite structure that achieves both protection and comfort simultaneously.
2Reliability
If NBC overshoes are used, then some protection is achieved, but efficient sealing with NBC protective suit cannot be achieved, allowing toxic agents to penetrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function into the shoe construction itself. The shoe is designed with sealing elements that directly interface with the NBC protective suit, creating an integrated seal that prevents toxic agents from penetrating between the footwear and protective suit.
3Reliability
If NBC protective socks are worn in conventional boots, then some protection is provided, but toxic agents can still penetrate the footwear and wearing comfort is not very great
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe uses composite material construction with multiple layers having different functions. The outer layer provides mechanical protection, the adsorption layer contains activated carbon for chemical absorption, and the inner layer provides comfort, creating a composite structure that achieves both protection and comfort simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The adsorption layer with activated carbon acts as an intermediary between the outer layer and inner layer. It absorbs toxic chemical agents that may penetrate the outer layer, preventing them from reaching the foot while maintaining the structural integrity and comfort of the shoe.
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 effectively prevents toxic chemical agent penetration, maintains high wearing comfort, and allows for efficient sealing with NBC protective suits, reducing weight and enhancing protection for military and general NBC use.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorption layer, based on an adsorbent material, such as activated carbon, that adsorbs toxic chemical agents
Implementation Method 2
at least one membrane that is impermeable or at least has a very low permeability to toxic chemical agents
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe, especially a boot, which has a protective function against toxic chemical agents, especially chemical warfare agents, and a multilayer layered construction, which has an outer layer, which faces away from the foot when the shoe is worn, and an inner layer, especially an inner shoe lining, which is assigned to the outer layer and faces towards the foot when the shoe is worn, wherein, in addition, an adsorption layer based on an adsorbent material, especially activated carbon, which adsorbs toxic chemical agents, is arranged between the outer layer and the inner layer. In this way, efficient protection against toxic chemical agents, especially chemical warfare agents is achieved, and a high degree of wearing comfort is achieved at the same time.