Wool Blend Shoe Upper for Moisture Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoes made from synthetic fibers lack air permeability and water absorbability, leading to discomfort, sweat retention, and potential skin issues like athlete's foot and eczema due to their hard texture and poor moisture management.
Innovation Solution
The use of natural wool fibers for the shoe uppers, with the inner upper comprising 90% or more wool and the outer upper combining 50-80% wool with 20-50% synthetic fibers, enhances air permeability and water absorbability while maintaining durability through a knit single jersey weave and bonding with a thermosetting hot-melt film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synthetic fibers are used for shoe uppers to ensure durability and easy processing, then the upper thickness increases and texture becomes hard, but wear sensation deteriorates and moisture discharge capability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining natural wool fibers with synthetic fibers in specific ratios. The inner upper uses 90% or more wool fiber for comfort and moisture absorption, while the outer upper uses 50-80% wool fiber combined with 20-50% synthetic fiber for durability. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing each layer to fulfill its specific function - wool provides softness and moisture management while synthetic fibers provide structural strength and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the material composition between the inner upper and outer upper. The inner upper directly contacting the foot uses predominantly wool (90% or more) for comfort and moisture absorption, while the outer upper uses a balanced blend (50-80% wool, 20-50% synthetic) for durability and shape maintenance. This localized differentiation allows each region to optimize its properties for its specific function.
2Productivity
If synthetic fibers are used for shoe uppers, then processing is easy and manufacturing is efficient, but water absorbability and air permeability are poor, causing sweat retention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining wool and synthetic fibers to simultaneously achieve good manufacturability and excellent moisture management. Wool fibers provide superior water absorbability (14-16%) and air permeability due to their hydrophilic groups and non-crystalline structure, while synthetic fibers maintain ease of processing. The blended composition (90%+ wool in inner upper, 50-80% wool in outer upper) ensures both manufacturing efficiency and effective sweat discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the porous structure of wool fibers to enhance moisture discharge. Wool fibers naturally possess a porous structure with hydrophilic groups that enable high water absorbability (up to 30% of their weight) and good air permeability. This porous characteristic allows sweat to be absorbed and evaporated efficiently, preventing sweat retention while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through the blended fiber composition.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If wool fiber content in outer upper is increased to improve comfort and moisture discharge, then water absorbability increases, but durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by creating a composite material system where wool and synthetic fibers complement each other. In the outer upper, wool fibers (50-80%) provide moisture discharge capability and comfort, while synthetic fibers (20-50%) provide durability and structural integrity. The synergistic combination allows the outer upper to withstand mechanical stress and wear while effectively managing moisture, as each fiber type compensates for the other's weaknesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing fiber composition for the specific functional requirements of the outer upper. The outer upper uses a balanced blend (50-80% wool, 20-50% synthetic) where wool provides moisture management properties and synthetic fibers provide durability. This localized composition differs from the inner upper (90%+ wool) to match the different functional demands of each layer - the outer upper needs both comfort and structural strength.
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
This design facilitates sweat discharge, provides comfort, reduces foot irritation, and is suitable for individuals with sensitive feet, such as pregnant women and diabetic patients, by offering a soft, elastic, and breathable shoe upper.
Implementation Method 1
the wool fiber is known to be a fiber having the highest water absorbability (water absorbability: 14-16%) due to presence of more hydrophilic groups and more non-crystalline parts in itself and thus absorbs up to 30% of its own weight in water
Implementation Method 2
when wool absorbs moisture, it repels water owing to water repellency originated from the hydrophobic scale layer present on the surface thereof
Implementation Method 3
a bonding method comprising: interposing a hot-melt film between the inner upper and the outer upper and hot-pressing the inner upper and the outer upper while allowing the inner upper and the outer upper to pass through a roller; and cooling the hot-pressed upper
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a shoe including a sole and an upper, wherein the upper includes an inner upper and an outer upper, wherein the inner upper includes 90% or more of a wool fiber and the outer upper includes a combination of 50 to 80% by weight of the wool fiber and 20 to 50% by weight of a synthetic fiber, based on the total weight of the outer upper. The shoe according to the present invention can facilitate discharge of sweat generated during exercise through the upper made of natural wool fiber and thus offer fresh wear sensation and can be worn without socks. In addition, elasticity of wool fabric can reduce resistance of shoes depending on shape change of feet during exercise or in a daily life, thus imparting foot comfort.