Ventilated Shoe With 3D Lining For Moisture Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shoes with breathable soles fail to adequately dissipate sweat vapor and liquid moisture around the entire foot, leading to discomfort and inadequate temperature regulation, especially when the outer material is non-breathable.

Innovation Solution

A ventilated shoe design featuring a three-dimensional fabric inner lining and insole, with preferential passages and channels to facilitate sweat vapor and liquid transfer, using hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers to direct moisture away from the foot, even if the outer material is not breathable, ensuring effective ventilation and heat exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a breathable sole with perforated elastomer and water vapor permeable membrane is used, then water vapor permeability at the sole is improved, but ventilation around the entire foot including the upper regions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater vapor permeabilityVSAvoidventilation coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shoe is divided into multiple functional zones: a breathable sole for vapor escape, a three-dimensional fabric lining with preferential passages for lateral vapor transport, and hydrophobic/hydrophilic layer combinations for directional moisture management. Each segment handles specific aspects of ventilation to achieve comprehensive foot coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from sole-based ventilation (one point) to three-dimensional fabric lining with preferential passages that create multiple vapor escape routes in lateral and vertical dimensions. This multi-dimensional approach ensures ventilation around the entire foot, not just at the sole.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the upper is shaped to wrap around the foot for comfort, then fit and support are improved, but heated air rises and causes further overheating in regions close to the upper

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoot comfortVSAvoidheat accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The upper is designed with localized breathable zones and heat-exchange features at critical areas where heat accumulation occurs. The three-dimensional fabric lining with preferential passages is strategically positioned to create convection currents that actively remove heated air from wrapped regions, maintaining comfort while preventing overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If water vapor is unable to escape through the upper, then structural integrity is maintained, but vapor condenses and returns to liquid sweat inside the shoe

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupper structural integrityVSAvoidmoisture accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The three-dimensional fabric lining with preferential passages acts as an intermediary layer between the foot and the upper. It provides alternative vapor escape routes through lateral passages and hydrophobic/hydrophilic layer interfaces, allowing vapor to bypass the non-breathable upper while maintaining structural integrity. The condensed moisture is then directed toward the sole for final evaporation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Quantity of substance

If a lining with hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers separated by monofilament yarns is used, then transverse transfer of water vapor is facilitated, but dissipation of sweat around the entire foot remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater vapor transferVSAvoidsweat dissipation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The lining is segmented into multiple functional layers: hydrophilic layer for vapor absorption, hydrophobic monofilament yarns for structural separation, and three-dimensional fabric with preferential passages for lateral transport. This segmentation creates a multi-pathway system that significantly enhances sweat dissipation efficiency across the entire foot.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lining combines hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials in a composite structure with three-dimensional fabric and monofilament yarns. This composite design leverages the complementary properties of different materials to achieve both vapor transfer and efficient dissipation around the entire foot.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

5Quantity of substance

If an insole with three-dimensional fabric is used, then perspiration through openings at peripheral region is improved, but lateral ventilation unable to dissipate vapor surrounding the foot

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperspiration at peripheral regionVSAvoidvapor dissipation coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The insole's three-dimensional fabric is integrated with vertical preferential passages that extend upward through the lining, creating three-dimensional vapor transport pathways. This transforms limited peripheral ventilation into comprehensive multi-directional vapor dissipation that reaches all regions surrounding the foot.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 shoe effectively dissipates sweat in both vapor and liquid phases, keeping the foot dry and comfortable by allowing natural temperature regulation, even with non-breathable outer materials, through enhanced ventilation and moisture management.

Implementation Method 1

The transfer occurs by utilizing the differentiation of the layers that compose it, which is determined by the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of their materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic and hydrophilic layer differentiation: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

a three-dimensional fabric inner lining and insole, with preferential passages and channels to facilitate sweat vapor and liquid transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

the body in fact reacts with a self-regulation mechanism, and therefore a cooling mechanism, by increasing perspiration, which, by evaporating, allows a natural reduction of body temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

ensure a correct exchange of heat and water vapor between the microclimate inside the shoe and the external microclimate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2957186B1Ventilated shoe
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 GEOX SPA
  • EP2957186B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2957186B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2957186B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A ventilated shoe (10), comprising a sole (11) and an upper assembly (12) associated therewith in an upward region, the upper assembly (12) comprising: - an external upper (13), with which an inner lining (14) is associated which is constituted at least partly by a first element (16a) that defines at least one interspace (17a) that separates the foot of the user from the external upper (13) and is provided with preferential passages for the sweat that moves away from the foot of the user toward the upper external edge (20) of the shoe (10), - a breathable insole (15), joined perimetrically at least to the inner lining (14).