Convertible Shoe With Interchangeable Heel Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

High heels are uncomfortable and pose health risks due to the height difference between the front and rear, leading to issues like plantar fasciitis and neuroma, and require separate shoes for comfort, which is inconvenient and impractical for daily use.

Innovation Solution

A convertible shoe design featuring a sole with a heel receiver and interchangeable heel portions, utilizing a fixed and movable hook mechanism with an actuator to securely attach and detach heel portions, allowing easy transition between high-heel and low-heel configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If high heels are worn to maintain fashion style, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but foot comfort and health deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheel heightVSAvoidfoot comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shoe heel is made convertible between high-heel and low-heel configurations through a mechanism allowing the heel portion to be raised or lowered. This dynamic adjustment enables the shoe to adapt between fashion-oriented high heels and comfort-oriented low heels, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and foot comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The heel height parameter is made variable rather than fixed. The conversion mechanism allows changing the heel height from a high position to a low position, enabling the user to adjust the parameter based on whether fashion or comfort is the priority in a given situation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If separate shoes are carried for high-heel and low-heel configurations, then foot comfort needs are met, but portability and convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot comfortVSAvoidnumber of shoes to carry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shoe is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a high-heel shoe for fashion occasions and as a low-heel shoe for comfortable walking. The single shoe structure incorporates a convertible heel mechanism that provides both configurations, eliminating the need to carry separate shoes for different occasions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The high-heel and low-heel shoe functions are merged into a single shoe unit. Instead of requiring two separate shoes, the invention combines both heel configurations in one shoe through the conversion mechanism, reducing the number of items to carry and manage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10426225B2Shoe with a high heel to low heel conversion

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 HIGH LOW HEEL LLC

AI summary

A convertible shoe may include a sole and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole. The heel receiver may include a fixed hook and a movable hook, with the movable hook being operable by an actuator coupled to a bottom surface of the sole.