Round Braid with Staggered Segments for Secure Knotting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional round shoelaces have a poor friction coefficient due to their smooth surface, leading to slippage and insecure knotting, and require multiple production lines and complex manufacturing processes for different thread types.
Innovation Solution
A round braid is created using a binding strand to bind warp strands, forming exposing and bulging segments on the surface, which are arranged staggeredly to enhance friction and simplify manufacturing by using the same thread material for both.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional round shoelace with a smooth surface is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the friction coefficient is poor leading to slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The shoelace surface is segmented into multiple protruding portions and recessed portions arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction. This segmentation creates a rugged surface structure that increases friction coefficient while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a standardized repeating pattern that can be efficiently produced.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoelace surface is given different local qualities through the alternating protruding and recessed portions. The protruding portions provide high friction areas for grip, while the recessed portions provide smooth areas for flexibility and comfort. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between simple manufacturing and high friction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different kinds of threads are used for core and knitting sheath, then different properties can be provided, but at least two production lines are needed
Solution Approach 1:
A single production line is designed to produce both the core and the knitting sheath using the same thread material. The universal production line can create different structural configurations (core only, sheath only, or both combined) to provide various properties, eliminating the need for multiple specialized production lines while maintaining product versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The production processes for core and knitting sheath are merged into a single integrated production line. This combining of functions allows for efficient resource utilization and simplifies manufacturing while still enabling the production of different shoelace types by adjusting the structural configuration rather than requiring separate production lines.
3Adaptability or versatility
If at least three steps are used for manufacturing, then different kinds of threads can be produced, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing steps are merged into a single integrated process that can produce different thread configurations (core, sheath, or both) without requiring separate production steps for each component. This merging reduces the manufacturing process to essentially one step while maintaining the ability to produce various thread types and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process is designed as a universal single-step process that can adapt to produce different thread configurations and material combinations. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized manufacturing steps, simplifying the overall process while maintaining versatility in producing different shoelace types.
4Ease of manufacture
If the knitting sheath is made with a circular knitting machine, then the manufacturing process is standardized, but the rugged degree of the surface is low
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized circular knitting machine process is enhanced by incorporating segmentation into the design, creating alternating protruding and recessed portions along the longitudinal direction. This segmentation adds surface ruggedness while the repeating pattern maintains compatibility with standardized manufacturing processes, resolving the contradiction between standardization and surface complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A round braid includes a plurality of warp strands and a binding strand. Each of the warp strands has at least one thread. The binding strand has at least one thread. The binding strand binds a part of the warp strands along an extending direction of the warp strands so as to form a plurality of exposing segments and a plurality of bulging segments on an outer surface of the round braid. The exposing segments are exposing parts of the binding strand and the bulging segments are uncovered parts of the warp strands. The exposing segments and the bulging segments are disposed staggeredly.