Waterproof Shoe Sole With Protective Screen Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vapor-permeable and waterproof shoe soles suffer from poor mechanical strength, leading to compromised waterproofness and vapor permeability due to thin membranes, and existing solutions either restrict vapor permeation areas or are prone to obstruction and degradation.
Innovation Solution
A vapor-permeable shoe with a waterproof and vapor-permeable sole design featuring a protective screen superimposed on the membrane, sealed in a waterproof manner, which enhances mechanical strength and resistance to sweat contamination and mechanical fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thin waterproof and vapor-permeable membranes are used in the sole, then the shoe provides waterproofness and breathability, but the mechanical strength and penetration resistance of the sole deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines thin waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane material with a supporting fabric layer to form a composite sole structure. The membrane provides waterproofness and breathability while the fabric layer provides mechanical strength and penetration resistance, resolving the contradiction between reliability and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin film membranes (15-70 microns thick) made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene with a microporous structure that allows vapor permeation while blocking liquid water. These thin films provide the required waterproofness and breathability without compromising the overall flexibility and comfort of the shoe sole.
2Reliability
If the diameter of sole holes is limited to protect the membrane, then mechanical protection is improved, but the area for vapor permeation is reduced and holes become easily obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a microporous membrane structure with numerous small pores that collectively provide large vapor permeation area. The pores are sized to allow water vapor molecules to pass through while blocking liquid water and larger contaminants, maintaining high vapor permeation efficiency without requiring large hole diameters that would compromise membrane protection.
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 design provides increased resistance to deterioration factors, maintaining durable waterproofness and breathability by protecting the membrane from sweat and mechanical stress, while preventing contaminant access and maintaining efficient vapor permeation.
Implementation Method 1
a microporous membrane, which allows the passage of water vapor and prevents the passage of liquid water
Implementation Method 2
allows the passage of water vapor and prevents the passage of liquid water
Data Source
AI summary
A vapor-permeable shoe with waterproof and vapor-permeable sole, including: an upper assembly; a sole joined to the upper assembly and including a body made of waterproof material including a tread and at least one region permeable to water vapor; a waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, which covers the region, toward an inside of the shoe; a protective element, which covers at least partially the lower face of the membrane; and at least one waterproof and vapor-permeable protective screen superimposed, toward the inside of the shoe, on the membrane to cover it at least partially, the protective screen and the membrane being sealed in a waterproof manner to the body of the sole at at least one sealing zone peripheral to the region.