Removable Heated Footwear Liner with Toe Cap Heating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a heated article of footwear with a removable and accessible heating system that can provide warmth to the wearer's feet in cold weather.
Innovation Solution
The article of footwear features an outer shell and a removably inserted inner liner with a heating system, including a power source and a toe cap heating element disposed along the outer perimeter of the forefoot region, with a battery compartment area in the cuff for easy access and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heating system is integrated into the footwear structure, then the heating function is stable and reliable, but the accessibility and ease of maintenance for the heating components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear is divided into separate functional modules: an outer shell, a removable inner liner, and a heating system integrated into the inner liner. This segmentation allows the heating components to remain reliably integrated during use while enabling easy removal of the entire inner liner for maintenance or replacement, thus resolving the contradiction between integration stability and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is extracted from the permanent footwear structure and placed within the removable inner liner. This allows the heating components to be easily accessed by simply removing the inner liner from the outer shell, maintaining reliability during wear while dramatically improving accessibility for maintenance without requiring disassembly of the entire footwear.
2Ease of operation
If the battery compartment is accessible for easy maintenance, then the ease of operation improves, but the structural integrity and reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The battery compartment is segmented as part of the removable inner liner system rather than being permanently integrated into the outer shell. Users can access the battery by removing the inner liner from the outer shell, providing easy maintenance access while maintaining the structural integrity of both the outer shell and inner liner as complete, reliable units.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable inner liner acts as an intermediary between the user and the heating system components. It provides a convenient interface for accessing batteries and heating elements while protecting the overall structural integrity of the footwear system, as the inner liner can be easily attached and detached without compromising the outer shell structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the heating system is removable and accessible, then the ease of maintenance and adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear system is segmented into modular components (outer shell, inner liner with heating system) that can be independently handled. This segmentation enables the heating system to be removed with the inner liner for maintenance or replacement, improving adaptability while keeping the overall system structure relatively simple through clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable inner liner serves multiple functions: it provides thermal insulation, houses the heating system, contains the battery compartment, and can be easily removed for washing or replacement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby improving adaptability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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
This configuration allows for a heated footwear system that can be easily used and maintained, providing warmth to the feet while being removable and adaptable for various activities, enhancing comfort in cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element; the heating element is a toe cap heating element that is disposed along an outer perimeter of a forefoot region
Implementation Method 2
a power source; the battery compartment area being configured to receive the power source of the heating system
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an article of footwear comprising: an outer shell, the outer shell including an upper and a sole structure; an inner liner, the inner liner being configured to be removably inserted within an interior of the outer shell; the inner liner further comprising a heating system, the heating system including a power source and a heating element; the inner liner having an upper liner portion and a lower liner portion; the lower liner portion including a bottom disposed along an underside of the inner liner, the bottom being configured to rest along a bottom of the interior of the outer shell when the inner liner is inserted within the outer shell; the lower liner further comprising a top forefoot portion disposed along a top of the inner liner n a forefoot region and a toe cap perimeter disposed along an outer edge of the forefoot region, the toe cap perimeter extending between the bottom of the lower liner and the top forefoot portion; and wherein the heating element is disposed along the toe cap perimeter of the lower liner portion of the inner liner.