Footwear Air-Chamber Pumping for Walking-Powered CO₂ Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for reducing carbon dioxide emissions require large-scale equipment that is costly and inefficient for individual contributions, and existing footwear does not effectively utilize walking motion to absorb carbon dioxide.

Innovation Solution

Footwear with an intake port, air chamber, and carbon dioxide absorption portion that utilizes the pressure generated during walking to absorb carbon dioxide, and includes a sole portion with elasticity and a configuration that minimizes dirt entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If large-scale equipment is used to absorb carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide absorption capacity is improved, but device complexity and investment cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon dioxide absorption capacityVSAvoidequipment scale
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the carbon dioxide absorption function into small modular units integrated into individual footwear. Each shoe contains its own intake port, air chamber, and carbon dioxide absorption portion, allowing distributed absorption across many users rather than requiring one large centralized system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The footwear system uses the wearer's own walking motion to drive the carbon dioxide absorption process. The compression and relaxation of the sole portion during walking naturally pumps air through the absorption material, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If large-scale equipment is used to absorb carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide absorption capacity is improved, but ease of operation for individuals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon dioxide absorption capacityVSAvoidindividual accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the absorption system into individual footwear units, each person can independently contribute to carbon dioxide reduction through their daily walking activity, making the system accessible to individuals rather than requiring participation in large-scale facilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically operates through the wearer's natural walking motion, requiring no additional effort or operation from the user beyond normal walking, thus maintaining high ease of operation while achieving carbon dioxide absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If conventional equipment is used to absorb carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide absorption is achieved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to carbon dioxide discharge from the equipment itself

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon dioxide absorptionVSAvoidcarbon dioxide discharge from equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the previously harmful emission of carbon dioxide from equipment operation into a beneficial absorption process. The footwear system absorbs carbon dioxide from the environment using only mechanical energy from walking, transforming the equipment's role from carbon source to carbon sink.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the wearer's biomechanical energy from walking to drive the absorption process, eliminating the need for fossil fuel-based power sources that would generate additional carbon dioxide emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If intake port is opened in sole portion, then air flow for carbon dioxide absorption is improved, but dirt entry into the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow rateVSAvoiddirt contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places the intake port specifically at the heel side of the sole portion, where the local environment during walking has less exposure to dirt and debris compared to other areas. This localized positioning optimizes the balance between air intake efficiency and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 individuals to contribute to carbon dioxide reduction with a simple and effective configuration by leveraging the walking motion to absorb carbon dioxide.

Implementation Method 1

a sole portion (3) having elasticity and constituting a bottom surface of the footwear

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The air chamber (32) is compressed by pressure generated in the sole portion (3) as the sole portion (3) strikes the ground during the walking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure generation: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

a carbon dioxide absorption portion (33) communicating with the air chamber (32) to absorb carbon dioxide in air flowing in from the air chamber (32)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbon dioxide absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4635358A1footwear
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 DATAMAX
  • EP4635358A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4635358A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4635358A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

To contribute to reduction of carbon dioxide, a force generated when a wearer walks is used. Footwear 1 that absorbs carbon dioxide as a wearer walks includes an elastic sole portion 3 having elasticity and constituting a bottom surface of the footwear, an intake port 31 disposed in the sole portion, an air chamber 32 disposed in the sole portion and communicating with the intake port, and a carbon dioxide absorption portion 33 communicating with the air chamber to absorb carbon dioxide in air flowing in from the air chamber. The air chamber is compressed by pressure generated in the sole portion as the sole portion strikes the ground during the walking, and the air in the air chamber flows into the carbon dioxide absorption portion.