Dual-Sided Shoe Insole with Asymmetric Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoe insoles with uneven structures for foot stimulation cannot be used by inverting their front and back surfaces due to the collapse of the uneven structure and loss of functional protrusions.
Innovation Solution
A shoe insole with a flat plate-shaped base made of flexible material and protruding portions on at least one surface, allowing both surfaces to stimulate the plantar side of the foot when inverted, with the protruding portions designed to support specific arch structures and stimulate mechanoreceptors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a shoe insole has a substantially flat shape, then the front surface and back surface can be switched and used, but it cannot provide foot stimulation function
Solution Approach 1:
The insole employs asymmetric design where the front surface has protrusions for foot stimulation while the back surface remains substantially flat. This asymmetry allows the insole to provide stimulation function when the front surface contacts the foot, while the flat back surface can contact the shoe midsole, enabling surface switching usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The insole is designed to be usable in inverted orientation. The front surface with protrusions can contact the foot in the normal orientation, while the back surface can contact the foot when the insole is inverted in the shoe. This inversion capability doubles the usability of the insole.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the back surface is made of hard material to maintain uneven structure, then the protruding portions can stimulate the foot, but the front and back surfaces cannot be inverted and used
Solution Approach 1:
The insole applies local quality by providing protrusions only on the front surface while keeping the back surface substantially flat. This localized uneven structure ensures foot stimulation capability is concentrated where needed (on the foot-contacting surface) while the other surface remains suitable for shoe contact or alternative foot contact when inverted.
3Stability of the object's composition
If protruding portions are formed only on the front surface, then the uneven structure can be maintained, but the insole cannot be used by inverting surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The insole is segmented into two distinct surfaces: a front surface with protrusions for foot stimulation and a back surface that is substantially flat. This segmentation allows each surface to have optimized characteristics for its intended function while enabling the insole to be used in either orientation.
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
Enables the shoe insole to effectively stimulate the plantar side of the foot on both surfaces, allowing for extended use by switching surfaces, and providing customizable stimulation strength and design options.
Implementation Method 1
a flat plate-shaped base portion made of a flexible material; and a protruding portion that protrudes from at least one of first surface and second surface of the insole and is configured to be able to stimulate the plantar side of a foot
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe insole having a protruding portion for stimulating the plantar side of a foot, and both shoe insole surfaces are used. The insole contains: a flat plate-shaped base portion made of a flexible material; and a protruding portion from at least one of the first and second insole surfaces and stimulates the plantar side of a foot. The first and second insole surfaces stimulate the same portion of the right and left feet when a load is applied by the foot from the second surface where the insole is in one of right and left shoes with the first surface having the protruding portion in contact with the shoe mid-sole portion, and when a load is applied by the foot from the first surface where the shoe insole is placed in the other of right and left shoes with the second surface in contact with the mid sole portion.