Stretchable Fabric Shoe Upper Wrinkle Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoes experience deterioration in fit due to wrinkling of the upper material when the foot is bent during exercise, leading to a poor fit and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A shoe with a stretchable fabric upper that is stretched in both length and width directions to provide a tensile elongation of 30-200% in the foot length direction and 5-100% in the foot width direction, ensuring a tensile rate of 10-40% in the length direction and a ratio of 1.25 or more in the length to width direction, allowing the fabric to shrink and reduce wrinkles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional upper material is used, then the shoe structure is simple, but wrinkles appear on the upper when the foot is bent during exercise, deteriorating the fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting a stretchable fabric with specific tensile elongation parameters (30-200% in foot length direction, 5-100% in foot width direction) and controlling the tensile rates during stretching (10-40% in length direction, with length/width ratio of 1.25 or more). These parameter specifications enable the upper to dynamically adapt to foot shape changes during exercise, preventing wrinkles while maintaining manufacturability through defined material properties.
2Reliability
If the stretchable fabric is stretched excessively, then the fit improves, but the manufacturing precision becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes precise parameter ranges for tensile elongation (30-200% in length, 5-100% in width) and tensile rates (10-40% in length direction with length/width ratio ≥1.25). These defined parameters provide clear manufacturing targets that balance fit improvement with production control, allowing manufacturers to achieve consistent results within specified tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by measuring and controlling the tensile rates during the stretching process, ensuring the fabric is stretched within the optimal parameter ranges. This feedback mechanism allows real-time adjustment during manufacturing to maintain precision while achieving the desired fit.
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 stretchable fabric upper effectively responds to foot shape changes, reducing wrinkles and enhancing the fit between the shoe and foot, accommodating various foot sizes and maintaining a slim, rounded heel appearance.
Implementation Method 1
a tensile elongation of the stretchable fabric examined in accordance with JIS L 1018 under a load of 20 N/5 cm is 30 to 200 % in a foot length direction and 5 to 100% in a foot width direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A shoe 1 of the present invention includes an upper 2 made of a stretchable fabric. The stretchable fabric is integrated with a sole 3 in a state of being stretched. Further, a method of manufacturing the shoe 1 of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a shoe using a stretchable fabric for the upper 2. The method includes steps of: producing an upper pattern using a last having a size smaller than that of the sole 3 as a base; producing the upper 2 with the stretchable fabric being stretched by stretching the upper pattern and fitting the upper pattern onto a last having a size that matches the sole 3; and integrating the upper 2 with the stretchable fabric being stretched with the sole 3.