Ventilated Shoe Sole With Active Pressurization And Regulating Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Footwear with ventilating soles lacks the ability to adjust ventilation or transpiration according to user needs, leading to discomfort and hygiene issues due to accumulation of heat and humidity, especially during dynamic activities.
Innovation Solution
A sole with a first layer of orifices connected to an upper and a second layer of chambers, featuring channels, a pressurization device, and regulating valves to control air flow and pressure, allowing dynamic and static ventilation conditions to enhance ventilation and modify the support surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a ventilating sole with fixed transpiration capacity is used, then heat and water vapour exchange is enabled, but the ventilation cannot be adjusted according to user needs during dynamic activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed ventilation system into a dynamic one by introducing a pressurization device that can actively control air flow through the sole. The system transitions from passive fixed transpiration to active adjustable ventilation, allowing the user to modify ventilation capacity in real-time based on activity level and comfort needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by introducing a pressurization device that uses pressurized air to enhance the transpiration effect. The pressurized air flows through channels in the sole, creating forced convection that actively removes heat and moisture from the footwear interior, going beyond natural passive diffusion.
2Ease of operation
If the sole material has high permeability to allow heat and sweat drainage, then comfort is improved, but the sole loses structural support and grip capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sole into multiple functional layers: a first layer with through orifices for ventilation, a second layer with chambers for pressurized air distribution, and channel structures for fluid flow management. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in either ventilation or structural support functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing ventilation only in specific regions where heat and moisture accumulation occurs most (through strategically placed orifices and chambers), while maintaining solid, non-porous material in areas requiring structural support and ground contact. This localized approach balances comfort and strength requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a pressurization device is added to enable dynamic ventilation control, then ventilation adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pressurization device and associated components multi-functional: the same device that provides pressurized air for ventilation also creates the support surface effect, and the chamber structure serves both as a fluid distribution system and as part of the sole's structural framework. This reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds the ventilation channels and chambers within the layered structure of the sole itself, nesting the fluid distribution system inside the sole's thickness rather than adding external components. The orifices, channels, and chambers are integrated into the sole's cross-section, reducing overall complexity.
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 effectively adjusts ventilation and support surface configuration to improve comfort and hygiene by actively managing heat and humidity, providing better sweat and heat drainage and increased grip on uneven surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurization device, in fluid communication with said one or more channels or passages and configured to increase an air pressure in said plurality of chambers
Implementation Method 2
The result is an accumulation of heat and humidity within the footwear... the friction between the foot sole and the inner surface of the sole generates the production of heat
Implementation Method 3
the permeability to air and water vapour of the material used to make these latter ones
Data Source
AI summary
A sole for footwear and footwear including the sole wherein the sole includes a first layer having a plurality of orifices passing through and configured to be connected to an upper of a footwear article and to form an inner environment of the footwear, and a second layer coupled to the first layer, having a plurality of chambers and one or more channels or passages fluidly connecting the orifices and chambers. The sole also includes a pressurization device in fluid communication with the channels or passages and is configured to increase the air pressure in the plurality of chambers and regulating valves in fluid communication with the channels or passages to regulate a pressure in the plurality of chambers.