Replaceable Waterproof Sock for Footwear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional water-proof shoes fail due to folding crumples or small cracks in the water-proof layer, leading to water penetration and high costs, necessitating premature disposal even if only a small area is affected.

Innovation Solution

A shoe design featuring a replaceable water-proof sock with hook-and-loop connections that securely attach to the shoe, allowing for easy replacement and reducing overall costs by decoupling the water-proof layer from the shoe's structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a water-proof layer is integrated into the shoe structure, then water-proof performance is achieved, but the shoe must be discarded when the water-proof layer develops cracks or crumples

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater-proof performanceVSAvoidservice life of shoe

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The water-proof layer is separated from the shoe structure and implemented as an independent replaceable water-proof sock. This segmentation allows the water-proof component to be replaced separately from the shoe body, extending the overall service life of the footwear when the water-proof layer develops cracks or crumples.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables selective replacement of only the water-proof sock component when it deteriorates, rather than discarding the entire shoe. The worn water-proof sock is discarded and a new one is installed, recovering the value of the shoe body and extending the product lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If a water-proof layer is integrated into the shoe structure, then water-proof feature is provided, but the entire shoe must be discarded even if only a small area is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater-proof featureVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The water-proof function is segmented into a separate replaceable sock component, allowing only the affected water-proof sock to be replaced rather than the entire shoe. This reduces material waste when only a small area of the water-proof layer is compromised.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If conventional water-proof shoes are manufactured, then water-proof performance is achieved, but the cost is higher making most consumers not to purchase them

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater-proof performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The water-proof function is segmented into a separate, simpler-to-manufacture sock component that can be produced more cost-effectively than traditional integrated water-proof shoes, reducing the overall manufacturing cost while maintaining water-proof performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The water-proof sock is designed as a lower-cost, replaceable component that can be manufactured more economically than traditional water-proof shoes. Consumers can purchase affordable water-proof socks to insert into regular shoes, reducing the overall cost barrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Duration of action of stationary object

If a replaceable water-proof sock is used, then the service life of the shoe is extended, but the structure becomes more complex with connection portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice life of shoeVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water-proof sock is constructed using flexible material that can be easily inserted and secured within the shoe. The connection portions use simple fastening mechanisms that maintain flexibility while enabling replacement, minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9936764B2Shoe with replaceable water-proof sock

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 LO CHIH FANG

AI summary

A shoe includes an outsole and a vamp, and a first opening is defined in the top of the shoe. A first connection portion is located along the periphery of the first opening. A water-proof sock is inserted into the first opening and has a second opening defined in the top thereof. A second connection portion is formed at the periphery of the second opening. The first connection portion is detachably connected to the second connection portion to secure the water-proof sock to the shoe. The water-proof sock can be removed from the shoe by separating the first connection portion from the second connection portion.