Shoe Upper Composite Material Multidirectional Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe uppers face a trade-off between low weight and stability, as reducing material weight often compromises tensile strength and stability, while increasing material density for stability increases weight, and known materials often deform or tear when subjected to forces acting at angles other than their preferred direction.
Innovation Solution
A shoe upper material comprising a first foil layer laminated with a textile reinforcement layer that has at least three axes of essentially parallel yarns, providing uniform tensile strength and stability while minimizing weight, with the foil layer protecting the textile from external influences and the textile reinforcement layer being tailored for specific regions of the shoe for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If material thickness is reduced to decrease weight, then weight is reduced, but tensile strength and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a textile base layer with a plastic coating layer (such as TPU) to create a multilayer structure. This composite construction allows the shoe upper to achieve high tensile strength and stability from the plastic layer while maintaining low weight through the thin textile base layer, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and strength maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different materials with different properties in different regions of the shoe upper. The plastic-coated textile structure provides enhanced strength and stability in areas requiring durability, while the overall thin construction maintains low weight. This localized optimization allows the shoe upper to meet strength requirements without uniformly increasing material thickness throughout.
2Stability of the object's composition
If material density is increased to improve stability, then stability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials where a dense plastic coating layer (such as TPU) is applied to a lightweight textile base layer. The plastic layer provides the necessary stability and structural integrity, while the thin textile base maintains low weight. This composite structure achieves high stability without requiring increased overall material density throughout the entire shoe upper.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials are used, then manufacturing is simple, but the materials deform or tear when subjected to forces at angles other than their preferred direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by coating a textile base layer with a plastic layer (such as TPU). This composite structure provides uniform strength and stability in multiple directions, preventing deformation and tearing when forces are applied at various angles. The plastic coating reinforces the textile structure, making it resistant to multidirectional stresses while remaining manufacturable through established coating and lamination processes.
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 solution achieves a balance between low weight and high stability, with the material maintaining tensile strength and resistance to deformation across all directions, enhancing the overall performance and durability of the shoe upper.
Implementation Method 1
A shoe upper material comprising a first foil layer laminated with a textile reinforcement layer
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a material for a shoe upper, in particular for soccer shoes, with a particularly low weight and improved tensile strength. According to an aspect of the invention, a material for a shoe upper, in particular for soccer shoes, is provided, that comprises a first foil layer and a textile reinforcement layer which is at least partially laminated with the first foil layer. The textile reinforcement layer comprises a first textile material with at least three axes, each axis defining an orientation of a set of essentially parallel yarn-portions in the textile material.