Slidable Cover Layer Shoelace for Knot Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoelaces have limited appearance variations, require process changes or different strand specifications for varying stretch rates, and have insufficient friction, leading to looseness when tied.
Innovation Solution
A shoelace design featuring a core material with a slidable cover layer made of woven first strands and meshes, providing adjustable stretch rate and high friction for stability, with a concave-convex surface for aesthetics and enhanced grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional weaving methods are used for shoelaces, then manufacturing is simple, but appearance variations are limited and friction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The shoelace combines a core material (elastic or non-elastic) with a cover layer made of woven strands, creating a composite structure that provides both manufacturing simplicity and enhanced appearance variations through different strand colors, weaves, and the exposed core material creating a multi-layered aesthetic effect
Solution Approach 2:
The cover layer is designed to be only partially slidable axially relative to the core material, with the core material partially exposed outwardly from the meshes. This local differentiation creates varied friction zones and appearance sections along the shoelace length, providing both aesthetic variation and functional grip enhancement
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional smooth shoelaces are used, then manufacturing is simple, but friction is insufficient causing easy loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The cover layer features meshes with specific openings that create local friction enhancement zones where the core material is partially exposed. This localized texture variation increases grip and prevents loosening at critical areas without requiring complete structural redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The cover layer is designed to be partially slidable axially relative to the core material, creating a dynamic friction mechanism that adapts during tying and wearing, providing reliable knot stability while maintaining ease of manufacture through the flexible cover layer design
3Reliability
If different stretch rates are required for shoelaces, then performance can be optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases due to process changes or different strand specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The stretch rate of the shoelace is adjusted by changing the parameters of the core material (elastic or non-elastic options) and the configuration of the cover layer (mesh size, strand density), allowing performance optimization without changing the fundamental manufacturing process or strand specifications
Solution Approach 2:
A single manufacturing process can produce shoelaces with different stretch rates by varying the core material selection and cover layer configuration, making the manufacturing system universal and adaptable to different performance requirements without requiring separate production lines
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 allows for adjustable stretch rate and prevents looseness by offering high friction and stability, maintaining the shoelace's tied state effectively while allowing for various visual effects and stretchability without altering manufacturing processes or strand specifications.
Implementation Method 1
the cover layer 20 is at least partially slidable axially relative to the core material 10... provides high friction so that it is not easy to loosen after tied
Data Source
AI summary
A shoelace is provided, including: a core material, defining an axial direction; and a cover layer, sleeved on the core material and being at least partially slidable axially relative to the core material, including a plurality of first strands and a plurality of meshes woven by the plurality of first strands, the core material partially exposed outwardly from the plurality of meshes.