Ventilation Sole Turning Valve Rainwater Ingress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation soles for footwear lack user-controlled air inlet-outlet mechanisms, leading to unregulated air circulation that allows rainwater and dust to enter, causing discomfort and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a main cap, button cap, and elastic stopper mechanism that allows users to open and close air inlet-outlets by a turning action, featuring a flow passage and ambient air inlet-outlet holes for controlled air exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air inlet-outlets are always opened for ventilation, then air circulation is improved, but rainwater and dust entry increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet-outlet is equipped with a movable closing member that can dynamically switch between open and closed states. The member is positioned to allow air circulation when open, but can be closed to prevent rainwater and dust entry when needed, thus adapting the ventilation state to current conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing member is designed to be automatically closed by rainwater pressure when the air inlet-outlet is exposed to rain, eliminating the need for manual operation. The system uses the environmental force (rainwater pressure) itself to trigger the closing action, making the ventilation system self-regulating.
2Temperature
If air inlet-outlets are always opened for ventilation, then air circulation is improved, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic closing mechanism eliminates the need for manual operation and reduces wear on moving parts. By using rainwater pressure to trigger closing, the system minimizes user interaction and potential points of failure, thereby reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining effective ventilation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If closing member is added to prevent rainwater entry, then protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing member is designed to be automatically actuated by rainwater pressure itself, eliminating the need for sensors, motors, or control systems. This simple mechanical design uses the environmental force directly to trigger closing, maintaining minimal structural complexity while providing effective protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing member acts as a simple mechanical intermediary between the rainwater and the air inlet-outlet. It translates the rainwater pressure into a closing action through direct mechanical contact, avoiding complex transmission mechanisms while achieving the protection function.
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
Enables users to conveniently manage air circulation, preventing rainwater and dust entry while ensuring efficient ventilation, thus enhancing comfort and reducing maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic stopper inserted into the main cap, in which the elastic stopper elastically advances and retreats in response to a locking or unlocking action of the button cap
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
Figure 4
AI summary
A ventilation sole for footwear, in which an air inlet-outlet is formed in a side of the ventilation sole, vents are formed in an upper portion of the ventilation sole, the vents communicating with the air inlet-outlet, and a device for opening and closing an air inlet-outlet, which is coupled with the air inlet-outlet, supplies ambient air into the footwear. The device for opening and closing an air inlet-outlet is adapted to be opened or closed by a locking or unlocking action when turned, and is disposed in the air inlet-outlet such that it is exposed to the outside. Since the device is opened and closed by the turning action of the button cap, the user can conveniently open or close the air inlet-outlet.