Recyclable Golf Shoe Structure for Stability and Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf shoes often incorporate materials that are difficult or impossible to recycle, compromising recyclability and performance characteristics such as stability, traction, and comfort.
Innovation Solution
The development of high-performance recyclable golf shoes using 100% thermoplastic urethane (TPU) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials, with structural optimizations that include an internal A-shaped frame structure, mesh layers, and saddle design, ensuring recyclability without compromising performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional materials are used in golf shoes, then performance characteristics such as stability, traction, and comfort are improved, but recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional mixed materials to 100% recyclable thermoplastic materials (TPU or PET), enabling the entire shoe to be recyclable while maintaining performance through optimized structural parameters rather than material composition
Solution Approach 2:
The shoe is divided into distinct components (upper, sole assembly, midsole, outsole) that can be separately processed during recycling, with each component designed to be made from recyclable thermoplastic materials that can be efficiently separated and reused
2Ease of manufacture
If recyclable materials are used in golf shoes, then recyclability is improved, but performance characteristics such as stability, traction, and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the shoe are designed with locally optimized structures: the outsole has specific tread patterns for traction, the midsole has cushioning geometry for comfort, and the upper has structural reinforcements for stability, all while using recyclable thermoplastic materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structural designs where multiple thermoplastic components (TPU upper, PET midsole, TPU outsole) are combined in a single shoe, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall recyclability
3Reliability
If structural optimizations are implemented in recyclable golf shoes, then performance characteristics are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple structural features are merged into integrated components: the outsole combines traction elements with structural support functions, the midsole integrates cushioning with stability features, and the upper combines support structures with breathable mesh panels, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining performance
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a recyclable golf shoe. The shoe may comprise an upper and a sole assembly. The upper may comprise: a membrane layer configured to at least partially surround or enclose a foot of a subject wearing the golf shoe; an internal A-shaped frame structure attached or coupled to the membrane layer to structurally support or stiffen the upper; a mesh layer comprising a first side and a second side, the first side attached or coupled to the membrane layer and the internal A-shaped frame structure; and a saddle connected to the second side of the mesh layer. The membrane layer, the internal A-shaped frame structure, the mesh layer, and the saddle may comprise one or more recyclable thermoplastic urethane (TPU) materials that can be processable into another article or component comprising at least one recycled or recyclable TPU material.