Shoe Last With Jet Outlets for Simultaneous Activation and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shoe last manufacturing process is inefficient due to the need for separate conventional activation and shaping machines, which increases costs and reduces efficiency, as the vamp must be processed in two different machines.
Innovation Solution
A shoe last for air activation and air cooling that includes a body with inlets and jet outlets, allowing for the simultaneous heating, activation, and shaping of a semi-finished shoe by injecting gas through the inlets and ejecting it via the jet outlets, which communicate with the midsole and vamp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the vamp is processed in separate conventional activation machine and shaping machine, then the processing functions are specialized, but the manufacturing efficiency is reduced and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the activation machine and shaping machine functions into a single integrated shoe last device. The body contains both heating channels for activation and cooling channels for shaping, allowing both processes to occur simultaneously in one machine rather than requiring separate machines sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoe last device is designed to perform multiple functions: heating and activating the vamp material, cooling and shaping the vamp, and all within a single device. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized machines while maintaining process effectiveness.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate activation machine and shaping machine are used, then each machine can be optimized for its specific function, but the equipment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the activation and shaping functions into one integrated device with shared structural components. The body contains both heating channels and cooling channels that utilize common infrastructure, reducing the need for duplicate equipment and lowering overall device complexity and cost.
3Productivity
If the vamp is moved between different machines for processing, then each process can be performed independently, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous processing by performing activation and shaping operations simultaneously within the same device. The vamp remains in position while heating and cooling channels operate concurrently, eliminating transfer time and maintaining continuous useful action throughout the process.
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 solution enhances manufacturing efficiency by allowing both the midsole and vamp to be processed simultaneously without moving the semi-finished shoe, reduces costs by eliminating the need for multiple machines, and enables bonding of the outsole with colloid activation and cooling, thus lowering production costs.
Implementation Method 1
Gas is injected into the body via the at least one inlet, flows out of the body via the at least one jet outlet, and is ejected to the semi-finished shoe
Implementation Method 2
The at least one jet outlet is disposed on the outer surface of the body, is spaced apart from the at least one inlet, and fluidly communicates with the at least one inlet. The semi-finished shoe is sleeved on the body and covers the at least one jet outlet. Gas is injected into the body via the at least one inlet, flows out of the body via the at least one jet outlet, and is ejected to the semi-finished shoe.
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe last for air activation and air cooling utilized to heat and activate as well as cool and shape a semi-finished shoe made up of a midsole and a vamp includes a body, at least one inlet, and at least one jet outlet. The body has an outer surface. The at least one inlet is disposed on the outer surface of the body. The at least one jet outlet is disposed on the outer surface of the body, is spaced apart from the at least one inlet, and fluidly communicates with the at least one inlet. The semi-finished shoe is sleeved on the body and covers the at least one jet outlet. Gas is injected into the body via the at least one inlet, flows out of the body via the at least one jet outlet, and is ejected to the semi-finished shoe.