Waterproof Vapor-Permeable Shoe Sole Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe soles are inadequate in dissipating moisture vapor due to limited vapor permeability and mechanical strength, leading to discomfort, bacterial growth, and poor durability, with current solutions compromising between waterproofness and vapor permeability.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic sheet-like structure made of polymeric material with a thickness providing over 10 N penetration resistance, ensuring waterproofness and vapor permeability while resisting contamination and degradation, and allowing for easy assembly and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thin semipermeable membranes (15-70 microns) are used to achieve waterproofness and vapor permeability, then vapor permeation capability is improved, but mechanical strength and penetration resistance deteriorate (less than 5 N)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines thin semipermeable membrane (15-70 microns e-PTFE) with support fabric layers to create a composite laminate structure. The membrane provides waterproofness and vapor permeability while the fabric layers provide mechanical strength and penetration resistance, resolving the contradiction between thin membrane benefits and structural requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin film semipermeable membranes (15-70 microns) as the core functional layer to achieve waterproofness and vapor permeability. These thin films are then integrated with other materials to maintain mechanical integrity, applying the principle of using thin flexible barriers for their specific permeability functions.
2Ease of operation
If membrane thickness is reduced to improve flexibility and vapor permeability, then ease of operation and vapor permeation are improved, but mechanical strength and penetration resistance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The laminate combines thin membrane layers (providing flexibility and vapor permeability) with support fabric layers (providing mechanical strength). This composite structure allows the thin membrane to function optimally while the fabric reinforcement prevents tearing and maintains penetration resistance.
3Reliability
If hole diameter in sole is limited to protect membrane from foreign objects, then reliability is improved, but vapor permeation area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the thin semipermeable membrane as a protective barrier that allows vapor permeation while preventing infiltration of liquid water and protecting against foreign objects. The membrane's selective permeability properties allow larger hole openings while maintaining protection.
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 dissipates larger quantities of water vapor, offers higher resistance to contamination and solvents, and maintains structural integrity, making it easier to manufacture and clean, while eliminating the need for additional reinforcement layers.
Implementation Method 1
a monolithic sheet-like structure, made of a polymeric material that is impermeable to water in the liquid state and permeable to water vapor
Implementation Method 2
permeable to water vapor
Implementation Method 3
such a thickness as to give it a penetration resistance of more than approximately 10 N
Data Source
AI summary
An insert for vapor-permeable and waterproof soles, which has a monolithic sheet-like structure, made of a polymeric material that is impermeable to water in the liquid state and permeable to water vapor. At least one functional portion of the insert for soles has such a thickness as to give it a penetration resistance of more than approximately 10 N, assessed according to the method presented in chapter 5.8.2 of the ISO 20344-2004 standard.