Adjustable Shoe Sole Curvature Mechanism for Foot Strain Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

High heels cause uneven strain on the foot, leading to potential deformities and discomfort due to their fixed curvature, which existing shoe designs fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A shoe sole component with adjustable mechanisms in the transition regions between sole portions, allowing for customizable curvature based on heel height, featuring a supporting element that can be pushed or pulled to alter the sole's shape, and a system for securely fixing different heel heights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high heels with fixed curvature are used, then the shoe provides structural support and elevation, but it causes uneven strain on the foot leading to deformities and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidfoot strain and deformities

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the sole component's curvature adjustable rather than fixed. The sole includes a middle sole portion that can be bent to different degrees, allowing the shoe to adapt its structural support characteristics to match different heel heights and reduce foot strain accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the curvature parameter of the middle sole portion. By adjusting the bending degree of the middle sole portion, the shoe can optimize its mechanical properties to accommodate various heel heights, thereby reducing the harmful effects of fixed curvature on foot health.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the sole curvature is adjusted for different heel heights, then foot strain is reduced and comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot strainVSAvoidadjustment mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sole into distinct portions: a front sole portion, a middle sole portion, and a rear sole portion. The middle sole portion is specifically designed to be bendable, allowing curvature adjustment without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire shoe structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the flexible shells principle by incorporating a bendable middle sole portion that can be flexed to different curvature states. This flexible design allows the sole to adapt its shape for different heel heights without adding significant mechanical complexity, as the flexibility is inherent in the sole's construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sole portions with different curvatures are used, then adaptability to various heel heights is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheel height accommodationVSAvoidcurvature control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the middle sole portion with the capability to be bent to different degrees. This pre-designed flexibility allows for easy adjustment of curvature during shoe assembly or use, reducing the need for precise curvature control during manufacturing while maintaining adaptability to various heel heights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 adjustable sole component reduces foot strain by accommodating various heel heights, providing a more comfortable and supportive shoe experience while ensuring secure heel fixation.

Implementation Method 1

The mechanism preferably has a supporting element (first supporting element) which is provided or configured in such a way that it may be pushed away from the sole component in the region of the rear sole portion in order to reduce the sole component's curvature in the first transition region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The mechanism preferably has a supporting element (second supporting element) which is provided or configured in such a way that it may be moved along the longitudinal direction of the sole from a first position which causes a first sole curvature in the second transition region into a second position which causes a second sole curvature in the second transition region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10952500B2Sole part

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 FLEXHEEL

AI summary

The invention relates to a sole component for a shoe suitable for use with different heels. The sole component comprises a front, a middle and a rear sole portion and comprises a mechanism for adjusting the sole curvature in a transition region between the front and the middle sole portion. The mechanism comprises a rotatable supporting element which is provided in such a way that it may have a first angular position which causes a first sole curvature in the transition region and a second angular position which causes a second sole curvature in the transition region, wherein the first sole curvature is different from the second sole curvature.