Cup-Shank Heel Flexibility in High-Heeled Shoes
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-heeled shoes often have uncomfortable heel contact points due to rigidity, which existing sole designs fail to adequately address through flexibility and softness, particularly in high-heeled footwear.
Innovation Solution
A cup-shaped shank integrated into the shoe sole with a heel portion that receives sole material during moulding, providing increased flexibility and comfort by distributing more material towards the center, where it connects to the heel element via fastening means covered by sole material, ensuring a gradual decrease in flexibility towards the front portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid shank structure is used to support the heel element, then structural strength is improved, but comfort and flexibility at the heel portion deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shank is designed with a cup-shaped heel portion that has different structural properties than the front portion. The cup-shaped configuration concentrates material at the center above the aperture while reducing material toward the edges, creating localized flexibility at the heel contact area while maintaining overall structural strength. This local variation in quality allows the shank to simultaneously provide both strength and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The heel portion of the shank features a cup-shaped curved geometry rather than a flat or angular structure. This curvature creates a dome-like form that naturally distributes stress and provides flexibility at the heel contact point. The rounded edges and curved surfaces of the cup shape allow for better material flow during molding and create inherent flexibility without compromising structural support.
2Reliability
If fastening means are exposed on the upper surface of the shank, then connection reliability is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to hard contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening means are nested within the cup-shaped heel portion of the shank, specifically positioned within the curved cavity. The cup shape envelops the fastening elements, allowing the sole material to flow over and cover them during the molding process. This nesting arrangement ensures that the fastening means remain hidden beneath the flexible sole material surface, eliminating hard contact points while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup-shaped heel portion acts as an intermediary structure between the fastening means and the outer surface of the shoe. It provides a curved pathway for the sole material to flow over the fastening elements, creating a smooth transition that covers the hard fastening points. This intermediary geometry allows the fastening means to remain functional while being concealed by the flexible material.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform thickness shank is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but flexibility distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shank transitions from a uniform thickness design to one with varying thickness characterized by the cup-shaped heel portion. This local variation in geometry concentrates material at the center of the heel area while reducing thickness toward the edges and front portion. The result is optimized flexibility distribution where the heel contact area is more flexible while the front portion maintains appropriate stiffness for structural support.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a shank adapted for being integrated into a shoe sole and for mounting a heel element, wherein said shank at its heel portion is adapted to be connected to the heel element and wherein said shank comprises an upper surface pointing towards the inner shoe. At least a part of the upper surface at the heel portion is cup-shaped and adapted for receiving sole material inside the cup when integrating said shank in said sole during moulding of said shoe sole. Thereby, due to the amount of sole material present in the heel portion, the sole material covers the means used for connecting the shank to the heel element. Thereby, based on the properties of the sole material, the heeled shoe becomes comfortable and flexible at the heel portion. The invention further relates to a sole for a shoe with a cup-shaped shank and more specifically to a shoe with a cup-shaped shank.