Breathable and Cooling Shoe

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of the international patent application No. PCT/CN2023/132764, filed on Nov. 21, 2023, which claims the priority benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202322461992.5, filed on Sep. 11, 2023, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a breathable and cooling shoe, and more particularly to a shoe in the technical field of footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shoes are essential daily necessities in people's lives. Traditional footwear, during summer or in high-temperature environments, often causes feet to sweat and overheat, resulting in discomfort, stuffiness, and even bacterial growth, which significantly affects daily life and work. With the improvement of living standards, people's requirements for shoes have increased, with growing demands for enhanced functionality. Increasing attention is being paid to foot protection and care. At present, most designs focus on improving breathability, typically utilizing highly breathable materials such as mesh fabric, breathable leather, or specialized material structures to allow natural air circulation and reduce internal shoe temperature. However, the overall breathability remains limited. Some designs incorporate exhaust structures within the sole to discharge internal air to a certain extent, but heat accumulation inside the shoe persists, resulting in suboptimal wearing comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a breathable and cooling shoe to address the aforementioned problems.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

A breathable and cooling shoe includes a sole. The sole is provided with an exhaust channel for communicating the interior of the shoe with the external environment of the shoe. A heat-dissipating component is disposed on the sole. The heat-dissipating component cooperating with the exhaust channel such that, when gas inside the shoe is discharged through the exhaust channel, heat from the heat-dissipating component is discharged through the exhaust channel.

The heat-dissipating component is disposed on the exhaust channel without blocking the exhaust channel, and is positioned along the exhaust direction of the exhaust channel.

The upper surface of the sole is provided with a guide groove. The heat-dissipating component is mounted within the guide groove. The guide groove is in communication with the exhaust channel.

The exhaust channel includes an airway port located within the sole, an exhaust outlet located on the outer side of the sole, and an exhaust passage connecting the airway port and the exhaust outlet.

The guide groove is disposed at the airway port. The heat-dissipating component is mounted within the guide groove. The heat-dissipating component comprises a heat-dissipating end. The heat-dissipating end is positioned on/above the airway port.

The heat-dissipating component is a heat dissipation tube. The heat dissipation tube has a sealed hollow structure, with a lower end of the dissipation tube serving as the heat-dissipating end.

The interior of the heat dissipation tube is provided with a water-absorbing material layer along the inner wall and a cooling liquid filled within the water-absorbing material layer.

The guide groove is located corresponding to the exhaust passage and extends downward into communication with the exhaust passage. The heat-dissipating component is mounted within the guide groove. The heat-dissipating component includes a heat-dissipating end. At least a portion of the heat-dissipating end is positioned within the exhaust passage.

The heat-dissipating component includes a base plate and heat-dissipating fins extending downward from the base plate. The base plate is disposed on the upper surface of the sole, and at least a portion of the heat-dissipating fins is positioned within the exhaust passage. The heat-dissipating end includes the above-mentioned heat-dissipating fins.

The heat-dissipating fins comprise a plurality of parallel fins spaced apart from each other to form air-guiding slots between adjacent fins. The openings of the air-guiding slots are oriented in the same direction as the exhaust outlet.

The guide groove is also provided with a fixing structure for securing the heat-dissipating component.

The fixing structure comprises an annular seat. The heat-dissipating component is provided with an extending edge that is engaged with the annular seat. The heat-dissipating fins pass through the annular seat and extend into the exhaust channel.

the upper surface of the heat-dissipating component is covered with a non-metallic thermally conductive layer.

The non-metallic thermally conductive layer includes silicone, or the upper surface of the heat-dissipating component is coated with a graphene layer.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

By incorporating a heat-dissipating component along the exhaust direction of the ventilation or exhaust channel, heat inside the shoe can be more rapidly transferred and discharged to the outside during the exhaust or intake process, effectively lowering the internal temperature of the shoe and providing a cooler and more comfortable wearing experience.

The heat-dissipating component is in the form of heat-dissipating fins arranged in parallel and spaced apart, forming multiple airflow channels, thereby enhancing the heat dissipation effect.

The heat-dissipating component is a heat conduction tube; the heat conduction tube contains cooling liquid and a water-absorbing material, enabling rapid heat transfer based on the heat pipe principle for superior heat dissipation performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other features, objectives, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a breathable and cooling shoe according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic assembly diagram of the breathable and cooling shoe according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a breathable and cooling shoe according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic assembly diagram of the breathable and cooling shoe according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the fixing structure in the breathable and cooling shoe according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a breathable and cooling shoe according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic assembly diagram of the breathable and cooling shoe according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To facilitate a better understanding of the technical means, inventive features, objectives, and effects of the present invention, the following specific embodiments are provided for further illustration.

Embodiment 1

Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2. A breathable and cooling shoe includes a sole. The sole is formed by foaming of ETPU (Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane) popcorn material or EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer). A ventilation channel is provided on the sole to communicate the interior of the shoe with the external environment. The ventilation channel may function as an exhaust channel, and as needed, it may also serve as a bidirectional air channel for both intake and exhaust, thereby achieving the ventilation and cooling objectives of the present invention.

A heat-dissipating component 2 is disposed on the sole and positioned on the exhaust channel. The heat-dissipating component 2 does not block the exhaust channel and is located along the exhaust direction thereof, such that during air discharge, heat from the heat-dissipating component 2 is expelled through the exhaust channel. As gas flows from inside the shoe to the outside, the heat from the heat-dissipating component 2 is carried out with the discharged air, achieving both ventilation and cooling.

In this embodiment, the exhaust channel comprises an airway port 11 located inside the sole, an exhaust outlet 12 on the outer side of the sole, and an exhaust passage 13 connecting the airway port 11 and the exhaust outlet 12. The exhaust passage 13 is located within the sole and includes an air chamber 14. The airway port 11 acts as an intake port. When the foot steps down, pressure applied to the sole compresses the air chamber 14, causing airflow to be expelled through the exhaust passage 13 and out of the exhaust outlet 12. The air in the rear section of the air chamber 14 flows through the exhaust passage 13 to the exhaust outlet 12. When the foot is lifted, the air chamber 14 returns to its original shape, creating a negative pressure that draws air from inside the shoe through the airway port 11 and exhaust passage 13 into the air chamber 14. When the foot is pressed down again, the air chamber 14 is re-compressed, and airflow is once again expelled through the exhaust outlet 12. The addition of the air chamber, coupled with its compression and recovery, increases the intake and discharge airflow velocity, enhancing both ventilation and cooling performance. For improved exhaust efficiency, the exhaust passage 13 may be designed with a Tesla valve structure. The unidirectional nature of the Tesla valve allows low resistance in the direction from the airway port 11 to the exhaust outlet 12, thus forming a unidirectional exhaust channel.

In this embodiment, a guide groove 3 is formed on an upper surface of the sole, in which the heat-dissipating component 2 is mounted. The guide groove 3 communicates with the exhaust channel and is positioned at the airway port 11. The heat-dissipating component 2, having a heat-dissipating end, is installed within the guide groove 3 such that the heat-dissipating end is located either above or within the airway port 11.

In this embodiment, the heat-dissipating component 2 is a heat dissipation tube with a sealed hollow structure. The inner wall of the heat dissipation tube is lined with an absorbent material layer, and the layer is filled with a cooling liquid. The upper end of the heat dissipation tube is exposed inside the shoe to contact the sole of the foot and serves as the heat-contacting portion of the heat-dissipating element. Since the interior of the shoe and the foot sole generate heat, the upper end of the heat dissipation tube (the heat-contacting portion) absorbs heat and increases in temperature. The heated cooling liquid inside the heat dissipation tube evaporates and spreads toward the lower end of the tube, which serves as the heat-dissipating end and releases heat outward. This structure offers excellent heat transfer and rapid cooling. When the air chamber 14 recovers and creates negative pressure, it draws internal shoe air through the airway port 11 and exhaust passage 13 into the air chamber 14. Upon compression of the air chamber 14, air is discharged with strong airflow through the airway port 11, carrying away heat emitted from the lower end of the heat-dissipating tube through the exhaust passage 13 and out of the exhaust outlet 12, thus achieving exhaust, heat dissipation, and cooling. Since the upper surface of the heat dissipation tube contacts the user's foot, it is coated with a non-metallic thermally conductive layer, such as silicone, or optionally a graphene coating, to prevent discomfort caused by metal becoming overly cold or excessively rigid.

Embodiment 2

Please refer to FIGS. 3 to 5. This embodiment provides a breathable and cooling shoe including a sole. The sole is provided with an exhaust channel, a heat-dissipating component 2, and a guide groove 3, which are configured similarly to those in Embodiment 1. However, unlike Embodiment 1, the guide groove 3 is arranged at the exhaust passage 13 and extends downward to communicate with the exhaust passage 13. The heat-dissipating component 2 is positioned within the guide groove 3, with its heat-dissipating end located inside the exhaust passage 13. The heat-dissipating component 2 comprises a base plate 21 and heat-dissipating fins 22 extending downward from the base plate 21. The base plate 21 and fins 22 are made of metal. The base plate 21 is disposed on the upper surface of the sole and positioned inside the shoe, in contact with the sole of the foot. The heat-dissipating fins 22 are arranged within the exhaust passage 13. The heat-dissipating fins 22 are formed of parallel fins spaced apart from one another, creating air-guiding channels 23 between adjacent fins. The openings of the air-guiding channels 23 are oriented in the same direction as the exhaust outlet 12, enhancing heat dissipation. The base plate 21 is located within the shoe and contacts the user's foot, thereby serving as the heat-contacting end of the heat-dissipating component 2. Heat conducted from the foot is transferred from the base plate 21 to the fins 22. As the gas chamber 14 returns to its original shape, air within the shoe is drawn into the air chamber 14 through the airway port 11 and the exhaust passage 13. Upon compression of the air chamber 14, the gas inside is expelled, and the airflow passes over the surface of the fins 22, through the air guide grooves 23 and/or through the gaps between the fins and the inner wall of the exhaust passage 13. The heat from the fins 22 is carried away by the airflow through the exhaust passage 13 and expelled from the exhaust outlet 12, thus achieving exhaust, heat dissipation, and cooling.

To prevent the heat-dissipating component 2 from moving or detaching, the guide groove 3 is further provided with a fixing structure. The fixing structure includes an annular seat formed integrally with the guide groove 3. The heat-dissipating component 2 includes an extending edge 24, which is fastened to the annular seat. The annular seat is provided with a groove 31 into which the extending edge 24 is secured. The fins 22 pass through the annular seat and extend into the exhaust passage. Since the upper surface of the base plate 21 contacts the user's foot, it is coated with a non-metallic thermally conductive layer, such as silicone, or optionally coated with a graphene layer, to prevent discomfort caused by excessive coldness or hardness of the metal.

Embodiment 3

Please refer to FIGS. 6 and 7. This embodiment provides a breathable and cooling shoe including a sole. The sole is provided with an exhaust channel, heat-dissipating components 2, and guide grooves 3, which are configured similarly to those in Embodiment 1. However, unlike Embodiment 1, two guide grooves 3 are provided-each corresponding to the configurations described in Embodiments 1 and 2. One guide groove is disposed at the airway port 11 and the other at the exhaust passage 13. Two heat-dissipating components 2 are included: one is a heat dissipation tube as described in Embodiment 1, and the other is a heat-dissipating fin as described in Embodiment 2. These two heat-dissipating component are respectively mounted in the guide grooves at the airway port 11 and the exhaust passage 13. When the gas chamber 14 returns to its original state, air from inside the shoe is drawn through the airway port 11 and the exhaust passage 13 into the air chamber 14. Upon compression of the air chamber 14, the gas is expelled. The airway port 11 generates strong airflow, which carries away the heat dissipated from the lower end of the heat dissipation tube through the exhaust passage 13 and out of the exhaust outlet 5. The airflow also passes across the surface of the fins 22, carrying heat from the fins through the exhaust passage 13 and out of the outlet 5, thereby achieving efficient exhaust, heat dissipation, and cooling.

Furthermore, it should be understood that although the present specification is described in terms of embodiments, it is not intended that each embodiment includes only one independent technical solution. The manner of description is for clarity only. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical features of the various embodiments may be appropriately combined to form other embodiments understood by those skilled in the art.