Sports Shoe Upper Tunnel Structure for Custom Lace Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe uppers do not allow for flexible lace threading options or optimal lacing effects, limiting customization and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A shoe upper design featuring a plane base layer with a structured layer containing tunnels and connecting channels, allowing lace to be threaded through individually selected locations for optimal lacing and maintaining a pleasant appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lace is threaded through openings machined into the upper, then the lacing structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the locations where the lace contacts the upper are defined and cannot be changed afterward
Solution Approach 1:
The upper is divided into a base layer and a structured layer with multiple tunnel sections. Each tunnel section contains a tunnel that can be independently selected for lace threading, allowing flexible lace routing while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The segmentation enables different lace paths without requiring complete redesign of the upper.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting channels extend in the thickness direction (third dimension) from the outer surface to the tunnels within the structured layer. This vertical dimensionality allows lace to be threaded through multiple levels, providing routing flexibility without adding lateral complexity to the upper structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tunnel sections are added to enable flexible lace threading, then lacing customization is improved, but the appearance of the shoe may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The structured layer with tunnels and connecting channels is positioned specifically on the outer surface of the base layer, allowing lace threading functionality to be localized to specific areas. This enables lacing customization in strategic locations while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the shoe in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting channels serve as intermediary structures that bridge the outer surface and the tunnels within the structured layer. These channels are designed to be visually integrated with the shoe's aesthetic design, mediating between the functional lace threading requirement and the appearance requirement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the base layer is made thicker to provide structural support for tunnels, then the tunnel structure stability is improved, but the overall shoe fit and comfort may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The upper is segmented into a base layer and a structured layer, allowing the tunnel structure to be supported by the structured layer rather than requiring excessive thickness in the base layer. This segmentation enables tunnel stability while maintaining appropriate overall thickness for shoe fit and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper combines a base layer with a structured layer containing tunnels and connecting channels, creating a composite structure. This composite design provides the necessary structural support for tunnel stability while maintaining the overall thickness and comfort characteristics of the shoe.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a shoe upper (1) for a shoe (2), especially for a sports shoe. To create an upper which allows an optimal lacing at a pleasant appearance the invention proposes that the upper comprises: a plane base layer (3) of material, a structured layer (4) being arranged on the outer surface (5) of the base layer (3) facing away from the foot of the wearer of the shoe (2), wherein the structured layer (4) comprises a plurality of tunnel sections (6), wherein each tunnel section (6) has at least one tunnel (7) which extends from a first side (8) to a second side (9) of the tunnel section (6) and wherein the tunnel section (6) comprises at least one connecting channel (10) which connects the tunnel (7) with the outer surface (11) of the tunnel section (6).