Convex Heel Strap Structure for Easy Footwear Donning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear straps are not designed to facilitate easy donning and doffing while providing secure heel fixation, compromising comfort and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A footwear strap with a rigid heel structural element featuring a convex curvature and connecting arms that extend downward to the footbed or insole, made of polymer materials like Hytrel or TPU, and optionally covered with fabric or leather, which allows for easy heel reception and secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional footwear strap is used, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to put on and take off the footwear
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid heel structural element incorporates a convex curvature that conforms to the shape of the wearer's heel. This curved surface facilitates easy insertion of the heel into the footwear by guiding it into the correct position, thereby improving ease of operation without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The footwear strap is divided into functional segments: a flexible strap element for attachment and a rigid heel structural element with connecting arms for heel reception and stabilization. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, improving donning/doffing ease while maintaining reasonable overall complexity
2Ease of operation
If a rigid heel structural element with convex curvature is added, then the ease of heel reception is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The convex curvature for heel reception and the connecting arms for structural support are merged into a single integrated rigid heel structural element. This combination reduces the number of separate components needed, improving ease of heel reception while limiting the increase in device complexity through functional integration
3Reliability
If the connecting arms extend downward to the footbed or insole, then the secure attachment is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting arms are designed with specific length and positioning parameters that allow them to extend downward to engage with the footbed or insole at optimal locations. By carefully selecting these geometric parameters, the design achieves reliable attachment while maintaining manufacturability through standardized dimensions and attachment points
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present application provide a footwear strap and a footwear having the same. An article of footwear may have a heel element located at a heel region of the footwear. A heel structural element may include an upper rear portion with an inwardly oriented convex cross-sectional curvature arranged to easily allow receiving a user's heel when donning the shoe. A portion of the convex cross-sectional curvature facing a sole structure of the footwear.