Waterproof Shoe Upper with Degradable Membrane and Anti-Wicking Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe uppers lack both waterproof and moisture-permeable properties, leading to wet feet and discomfort, especially when exposed to increased water pressure or prolonged immersion.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof and moisture-permeable shoe upper is created by laminating a fabric upper layer with anti-wicking treatment, a degradable thermoplastic elastomer membrane middle layer, and an inner fabric lower layer through high temperature and hot pressing, resulting in a wide-width layered composite material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional waterproof membrane is superimposed on shoe upper, then waterproof effect is improved, but moisture-permeability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a microporous waterproof membrane with specific pore structure that allows water vapor molecules to pass through while blocking liquid water. The membrane contains numerous micro pores with diameter of 0.3-2.0 μm, creating a porous structure that enables moisture permeability while maintaining waterproofness through surface tension effects at the pore level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials combining hydrophobic polymer (such as polytetrafluoroethylene or polyvinylidene fluoride) with hydrophilic polymer (such as polyethylene glycol or polyacrylic acid). This composite structure creates regions with different wettability, where hydrophobic regions block liquid water while hydrophilic regions facilitate water vapor transmission, achieving both waterproofing and moisture permeability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fabric is sprayed or dipped with waterproof agent, then anti-splash effect is improved, but waterproof performance under increased water pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional fabric coatings with a flexible microporous waterproof membrane that acts as a thin film barrier. This membrane is bonded to the fabric upper, creating a flexible protective layer that maintains anti-splash performance while providing reliable waterproofing under water pressure through its controlled pore structure and hydrophobic surface properties.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If microporous waterproof membrane is used, then moisture-permeability is improved, but waterproof performance under increased water pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different properties within the waterproof membrane. The membrane contains both hydrophobic regions that repel liquid water and maintain waterproofing under pressure, and hydrophilic regions that attract and facilitate water vapor transmission. This local differentiation of material properties enables simultaneous achievement of moisture permeability and pressure-resistant waterproofing.
Solution Approach 2:
The microporous structure with controlled pore size (0.3-2.0 μm) allows water vapor molecules to pass through via diffusion while the hydrophobic surface tension at the pore openings prevents liquid water from entering, even under increased water pressure. The porous architecture enables selective permeability based on the physical state of water.
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 upper achieves excellent waterproof and moisture-permeability, with an anti-wicking index ≤1 cm/In 2 hours, moisture permeability ≥10,000 g/(m2·24 h), and hydrostatic pressure ≥10,000 mmH2O, while maintaining durability and environmental friendliness.
Implementation Method 1
a microporous waterproof membrane in the middle layer, made of degradable thermoplastic elastomer
Implementation Method 2
the micropores are blocked due to low temperature, resulting in the reduction of air permeability
Implementation Method 3
The upper layer, the middle layer, and the lower layer are laminated through high temperature and hot pressing
Implementation Method 4
The upper layer, the middle layer, and the lower layer are laminated through high temperature and hot pressing
Implementation Method 5
The fabric upper layer has anti-wicking treatment, wherein the anti-wicking index of the shoe upper is ≤1 cm/In 2 hours
Data Source
AI summary
A waterproof and moisture-permeable shoe upper includes a fabric upper layer, a waterproof and moisture-permeable membrane material middle layer, and an inner fabric lower layer. The fabric upper layer has anti-wicking treatment, and the waterproof and moisture-permeable membrane material middle layer is made of degradable thermoplastic elastomer. The upper layer, the middle layer of the waterproof and moisture-permeable membrane material, and the lower layer of the inner fabric are laminated through high temperature and hot pressing to form a wide-width layered composite material. Then the wide-width layered composite material is cut or hot pressed to form an upper, and the anti-wicking index of the shoe upper ≤1 cm/In 2 hours, the moisture permeability of the shoe upper is greater than or equal to 10,000 g/(m2·24 h), and the hydrostatic pressure of the shoe upper is greater than or equal to 10,000 mmH2O.