Adjustable Heel Assembly for Adaptive Footwear Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional articles of footwear fail to accommodate changes in wearer comfort due to physiological changes or changes in activity, such as swelling or transitioning from sitting to standing, leading to discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The article of footwear features a movable heel assembly with a lower and upper heel that adjust relative to each other and a sole structure, actuator assemblies for movement, sensors to detect foot presence and position, and a controller to manage these adjustments, allowing for customizable fit and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional footwear uses a fixed heel structure, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot accommodate physiological changes or activity transitions leading to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The heel assembly is designed with movable components including a lower heel that can shift position relative to the sole structure and an upper heel that can adjust relative to the lower heel. This dynamic structure allows the footwear to adapt to physiological changes in the foot, such as swelling, and to accommodate different activities by modifying the heel position and fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The heel assembly is divided into separate functional segments: a lower heel portion that interfaces with the sole structure and an upper heel portion that interfaces with the upper footwear component. These segmented sections can move independently relative to each other, enabling complex adjustments in fit and comfort while maintaining manufacturability through modular construction.
2Ease of operation
If the heel assembly is made adjustable with multiple moving parts, then comfort and fit are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heel assembly incorporates sensors that automatically detect the wearer's foot position, size, and physiological state, and a controller that autonomously adjusts the heel components without requiring manual intervention. This self-adjusting mechanism improves ease of operation by eliminating the need for user manipulation of complex adjustment mechanisms while maintaining comfort and fit.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms are replaced with an automated system comprising sensors that detect foot characteristics and a controller that actuates the heel components. This substitution reduces the operational complexity for the user while maintaining or improving adjustability through automated response to physiological conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional footwear has a fixed fit, then manufacturing precision requirements are lower, but it fails to maintain optimal fit during activity transitions or physiological changes
Solution Approach 1:
The heel assembly uses movable joints and actuated components that allow real-time adjustment of the fit during wear. The lower heel can shift position to accommodate foot swelling or activity changes, while the upper heel adjusts to maintain proper alignment. This dynamic adjustment ensures reliable maintenance of optimal fit throughout the wear period.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors embedded in the footwear detect changes in foot position, size, and physiological state, providing feedback to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to automatically adjust the heel assembly components, ensuring the footwear maintains optimal fit despite physiological changes or activity transitions, thereby improving reliability over time.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear includes a sole structure and a heel assembly. The sole structure defines a forwardmost toe location of the article of footwear. The heel assembly defines a rearmost heel location of the article of footwear and includes a lower heel movable relative to the sole structure. One of the lower heel and upper heel defines a track and the other of the lower heel and the upper heel includes a protrusion slidably received in the track. The upper heel is movable relative to the lower heel between a closed position and an open position.