Athletic Shoe Sole Coating Molecular Re-Orientation Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Athletic shoe soles experience reduced traction on dusty and dirty indoor court surfaces due to debris accumulation, with existing solutions providing short-lived improvements that are not practical for continuous use and can damage floors.
Innovation Solution
A coating comprising a film former, adhesive, and tackifier applied to shoe soles, which forms a thin film that maintains tackiness and adhesion through molecular re-orientation upon impact, preventing debris accumulation and extending traction duration without leaving residues on the floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure sensitive adhesive floor mat is used to clean shoe soles, then debris removal is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need for multiple sheets and frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe sole coating automatically maintains its own tackiness through molecular re-orientation upon impact with the floor surface. The coating self-renews its cleaning and traction properties during normal shoe wear, eliminating the need for external cleaning devices or manual intervention to restore traction.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating is applied in advance to the shoe sole surface, creating a pre-conditioned tacky layer before the shoe is worn. This preliminary coating application eliminates the need for post-wear cleaning operations required by adhesive floor mats.
2Force
If traditional adhesive coatings are applied to shoe soles, then initial traction is improved, but duration of action deteriorates as the coating loses tackiness after brief use
Solution Approach 1:
The coating transitions from a static adhesive layer to a dynamic system that responds to mechanical impact. Upon each impact with the floor, the coating's polymer chains undergo molecular re-orientation that refreshes the tacky surface, continuously restoring traction properties during active use.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating's molecular structure changes in response to impact forces. The polymer chains re-orient from a relaxed state to an aligned state that maximizes surface tackiness, effectively changing the physical parameters of the coating during use to maintain performance.
3Force
If repeated wiping of shoe soles is performed to restore tackiness, then traction is temporarily improved, but loss of time increases due to frequent cleaning interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The coating performs its own maintenance function automatically during normal wear. The molecular re-orientation process occurs passively during shoe impact with the floor, eliminating the need for active cleaning interventions and the time they would require.
4Force
If solvent-based coatings are applied to enhance traction, then adhesion is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to solvent residue on floor surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The coating formulation transitions from solvent-based to water-based chemistry. This parameter change in the chemical composition eliminates the generation of harmful solvent residues on floor surfaces while maintaining the necessary adhesion and tackiness properties for traction enhancement.
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 coating enhances traction and grip on smooth surfaces, maintaining performance during rapid changes in direction and prolonged use without additional cleaning devices or floor damage, offering consistent and extended traction enhancement.
Implementation Method 1
the coating forms a thin film that maintains tackiness and adhesion through molecular re-orientation upon impact
Implementation Method 2
A coating comprising a film former, adhesive, and tackifier applied to shoe soles, which forms a thin film that maintains tackiness and adhesion
Data Source
AI summary
An athletic shoe coating for traction enhancement includes a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) and a tackyfying resin and a film former initially in solution within a solvent suitable for application to the surface of a shoe sole in liquid form, such as by spraying, rolling and brushing the solution onto the shoe sole. After the solvent evaporates a film or coating attaches or is bonded to the shoe sole that exhibits the property of dynamically modifying the traction properties of the shoe sole when pressure and shear forces are applied to the coating. Such modification causes the exterior surface of the film or coating to “refresh” the exposed surface upon impact. This imparts continued tackiness over extended use. Impact modifiers may be added for controlled release of a solvent to temporarily dissolve or soften the film or coating to promote such refreshment of the coating outer surface.