Adjustable Fill Elements for Foot Arch Support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatment systems lack the ability to effectively support a person's balanced position during reflex treatments, as they do not adequately address the individual foot arch differences.

Innovation Solution

A base platform with displaceable fill elements that adjust to fill the space between the foot arch and the platform, ensuring a balanced stance by equalizing foot pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flat base platform is used for receiving the person, then the platform structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot adequately support individual foot arch differences and achieve balanced position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform structure simplicityVSAvoidadaptation to individual foot arch differences
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base platform is segmented into multiple zones with different fill heights. The platform includes a first region with a first fill height and a second region with a second fill height, allowing each zone to be optimized for specific foot arch types while maintaining overall platform simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the base platform are provided with different fill heights tailored to specific foot arch characteristics. The first region has fill configured for a first foot arch type while the second region has fill configured for a second foot arch type, enabling localized adaptation without complicating the entire platform structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the fill height is fixed for all users, then the platform structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different foot arch heights and achieve proper balance for each user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform structure complexityVSAvoidfoot arch support precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The platform is divided into multiple regions with different fixed fill heights. Each region is designed to support specific foot arch height ranges, providing precise support without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fill elements are pre-configured in specific regions at predetermined heights during manufacturing. This preliminary configuration allows the platform to provide accurate foot arch support for different users without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fill elements with different heights are provided for different foot arch types, then individualized support is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for different foot arch typesVSAvoidplatform structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The platform is segmented into distinct regions, each with fill configured for specific foot arch types. This segmentation allows multiple fill configurations to coexist in a simple, modular manner without creating complex adjustable mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base platform is designed as a universal device that can support multiple foot arch types simultaneously through its segmented regions. Each region serves a specific function for different foot arch types, allowing the single platform to fulfill multiple support functions without increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4262668B1System for at least supporting a treatment of a person and use of such a system
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 REFLEX SCI BV
  • EP4262668B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4262668B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4262668B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for at least supporting a treatment of a person, comprising a base platform for receiving said person, wherein said base platform comprises at least one upper surface which defines a substantially flat reference plane, and at least one fill element, wherein said at least one fill element is displaceable between a first position and a second position, in which second position an upper surface of said at least one fill element extends above said reference plane with an adjustable distance, such that said at least one fill element fills a space between said reference plane and a lower side of a or each foot of said person. The invention further relates to the use of such a system.