Rotatable Traction Element for Anti-Slip Footwear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear lacks adjustable traction, making it unsafe for users of omnidirectional locomotion systems and walkable virtual reality systems, particularly when mounting or dismounting platforms with low friction surfaces, as it can lead to slips and falls.
Innovation Solution
The development of anti-slip footwear with a rotatable traction element that can be adjusted between high and low friction positions, allowing users to increase traction when needed, such as during mounting or dismounting, and reduce friction for normal use on the platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional footwear with fixed traction is used, then the structure is simple and ease of manufacture is good, but user safety deteriorates on low friction surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the traction element rotatable between different orientations. The traction element can rotate to present different surface characteristics (high friction or low friction) to the ground, allowing the footwear to adapt its traction properties dynamically based on operational needs. This resolves the contradiction by enabling safety improvement through a relatively simple rotational mechanism rather than complex active systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by altering the friction coefficient parameter of the footwear bottom surface. By rotating the traction element to different angles, the effective friction parameter changes between high and low states. This allows the same footwear structure to provide different traction levels, improving safety on low friction surfaces while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If footwear with fixed high friction is used, then user safety is improved on low friction surfaces, but friction becomes excessive during normal platform use
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamics principle enables the footwear to switch between high friction and low friction states by rotating the traction element. During normal platform use, the element can be oriented to provide low friction for easy movement, while during critical operations like mounting or dismounting, it can be rotated to provide high friction for safety. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between safety and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic action principle is applied through the periodic switching between high friction and low friction states. The user can periodically rotate the traction element depending on the operational phase - using low friction during normal movement phases and high friction during critical phases. This periodic adjustment of friction properties balances safety requirements with ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If footwear with adjustable traction is used, then adaptability to different conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamics principle provides adaptability through a simple rotational mechanism. The traction element can be rotated to different orientations to adapt to different surface conditions and operational requirements. This mechanical rotation is simpler than electronic or hydraulic adjustment systems, achieving adaptability with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The parameter changes principle enables adaptability by changing the friction coefficient parameter through rotation. The same physical structure provides different traction parameters (high or low friction) by changing its orientation angle. This approach achieves versatility in traction characteristics without requiring multiple different footwear components or complex adjustment mechanisms.
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 adjustable traction feature enhances user safety by providing necessary grip during critical movements while minimizing friction when not required, thereby reducing the risk of slips and falls on platforms with low traction surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
rotation of the rotatable traction element can increase and/or decrease the friction force between the user's feet and a surface upon which the user is standing
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-slip footwear that can be used with an omnidirectional locomotion system or other virtual reality (VR) environment technology includes at least a sole layer and a rotatable traction portion. The sole layer includes an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface includes one or more friction reducing elements having a first coefficient of friction with a platform of an omnidirectional treadmill. The rotatable traction portion is rotatably coupled to the lower surface of the sole layer and has a first face and a second face opposite from the first face. The first face includes one or more friction pads each having a second coefficient of friction with the platform of the omnidirectional treadmill that is greater than the first coefficient of friction. The rotatable traction portion can be rotated to a first, low-friction position in which the second face makes contact with a ground surface. The rotatable traction portion can be rotated to a second, high-friction position in which the one or more friction pads make contact with the ground surface.