Height Adjustable Shoe Heel With Grooved Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing women's shoes with heels lack an efficient and safe mechanism for adjusting heel height, which can disrupt the ergonomic balance of the shoe, leading to an unaesthetic and uncomfortable fit.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjustable shoe heel with a hollow body and sliding components, featuring a lever, button, locking elements, and elastic means, allowing the heel to be locked at multiple heights for optimal ergonomics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the heel height is made adjustable, then the versatility and adaptability of the shoe is improved, but the ergonomic balance and stability of the shoe deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heel mechanism allows dynamic adjustment of height through a lever system with locking elements that can be positioned at multiple predetermined heights. The elastic means provide dynamic feedback to maintain the locked position, enabling the heel to adapt between different heights while maintaining stability at each position through the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of heel height by providing a mechanism with grooves at different heights and locking elements that can be positioned at these grooves. This allows the heel to switch between discrete height parameters while maintaining structural stability at each selected height through the locking engagement.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to maintain heel height, then the reliability of height maintenance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic means automatically push the locking element into the groove to engage the locking mechanism without requiring additional actuation. The system uses the natural elastic force to maintain the locked position, reducing the need for complex control systems while ensuring reliable height maintenance through the self-actuating locking action.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element acts as an intermediary between the lever and the groove structure. It translates the rotational motion of the lever into linear engagement with the groove, providing a simple mechanical intermediary that enables reliable locking without requiring complex direct coupling mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the heel structure is made more complex to allow adjustment, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heel mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the hollow body with grooves, the lever with locking elements, and the elastic means. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using appropriate processes and then assembled, simplifying the overall manufacturing by breaking down the complex adjustable mechanism into manageable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are inserted into the hollow body, and the lever is positioned within the hollow body as well. This nested arrangement allows compact integration of multiple components within the existing heel structure, reducing the overall space required and simplifying assembly by having components fit within predetermined cavities.
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 enables easy and safe adjustment of heel height, maintaining ergonomic balance across different heights, preventing the undesired raising of the shoe tip, and ensuring a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing fit.
Implementation Method 1
elastic means arranged so as to exert a force which brings said at least one locking element from the sliding position to the locked position
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe with a heel that is adjustable in height. The heel includes a hollow body fastened to a sole of the shoe, and provided with grooves arranged at different heights from one another. A group of components including a lever are inserted into the hollow body for mutual sliding. A button is connected to the lever for causing rotation of the lever. A locking element is connected to the lever to switch from a locked position to a sliding position. In the locked position, the locking element is inserted into a groove of the hollow body, whereby the group of components and the hollow body are mutually locked in position. In the sliding position, the group of components and the hollow body can mutually slide. An elastic member is arranged to exert a force which brings the locking element from the sliding position to the locked position.