Waterproof Shoe Sole With Undercut Protective Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe soles face challenges in maximizing vapor permeation area without compromising structural strength, flexibility, and shock-absorption, particularly due to the size and spacing of holes which can lead to reduced vapor permeation and potential damage from foreign objects.
Innovation Solution
A sole design featuring larger through holes in the tread, paired with vapor-permeable or perforated protective elements that create undercut regions to prevent downward extraction, ensuring stability and maintaining flexibility, and incorporating a waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane for enhanced vapor permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the hole size is increased to increase vapor permeation area, then vapor permeability is improved, but the risk of foreign object damage to the membrane increases
Solution Approach 1:
A protective layer comprising fibers is introduced as an intermediary element between the through holes and the waterproof vapor-permeable membrane. This protective layer allows vapor to pass through while preventing foreign objects from reaching and damaging the membrane, thus resolving the contradiction between increasing hole size for vapor permeability and protecting the membrane from foreign object damage.
2Strength
If holes are spaced far apart to maintain structural strength, then structural integrity is improved, but vapor permeation area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer is applied locally at the bottom of each through hole rather than requiring a uniform increase in hole spacing across the entire tread. This localized protection allows holes to be positioned closer together, increasing the overall vapor permeation area while maintaining structural strength through selective reinforcement only where needed.
3Reliability
If a net structure is used to protect the membrane, then foreign object protection is improved, but the sole becomes too rigid and loses shock-absorption capacity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a solid net structure, the invention employs a protective layer made of fibers that forms a porous structure. This fibrous layer protects the membrane from foreign objects while maintaining flexibility and shock-absorption properties, as the porous fibrous structure can deform and absorb impacts without becoming rigid like a net would.
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 increases vapor permeation area while maintaining the sole's structural integrity and comfort, preventing dirt accumulation and maintaining effective ventilation without stiffening the sole, thus addressing the limitations of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane which is impermeable to water and permeable to water vapor
Implementation Method 2
membrane which is impermeable to water and permeable to water vapor
Data Source
AI summary
A sole for shoes, of waterproof and vapor-permeable type, including a lower element of plastic material, with formed thereon a tread with multiple through holes, a water impermeable and permeable to water vapor membrane arranged above the lower element and superimposed on the through holes, the membrane being joined perimetrically and hermetically to at least one component of the sole to avoid rise of liquids through the sole, and a vapor-permeable or perforated mechanism protecting the membrane, arranged below the membrane superimposed on the area of the holes. The sole includes individual vapor-permeable or perforated protective elements, each arranged so as to block a corresponding through hole. The lower element forms, for each through hole, an undercut region for preventing downward extraction for each protective element.