Elastic Insole Heel Holder for Secure Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoe systems with high heels are complex and costly to produce, offer inadequate anatomical foot support, and struggle with securing the heel firmly, especially with narrow heel patches, while maintaining an elegant design.
Innovation Solution
A shoe system featuring a stabilizing element made of dimensionally stable, elastic material with a foamed outer layer, which serves as both the insole and heel holder, eliminating the need for a steel spring and allowing for a direct, secure heel attachment without screws, thus simplifying production and enhancing foot support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shoe systems with high heels are used, then the heel can be attached to the insole, but the production becomes complex and costly, and the heel attachment is insecure especially with narrow heel patches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the insole and heel holder into a single integrated component made of elastic material. The heel holder is formed as an integral part of the insole structure, eliminating the need for separate attachment mechanisms and reducing production complexity while ensuring secure heel attachment through the elastic material's inherent properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses elastic material with specific mechanical properties (elastic modulus, tensile strength) that allow the heel holder to deform and lock securely with the heel. The material parameters are selected to provide both flexibility for secure attachment and structural integrity for reliable heel support, especially on narrow heel patches
2Shape
If a thin insole is used to maintain elegant design, then the shoe looks elegant, but the insole bends under foot load and requires additional steel spring reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid (steel spring) to elastic (polymer material). The elastic insole material maintains thin dimensions for elegance while providing sufficient bending resistance through its elastic properties, eliminating the need for additional steel spring reinforcement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite elastic material structures that combine multiple polymer layers or compositions to achieve both thin profile and adequate mechanical strength. The composite structure provides bending resistance without requiring metal reinforcements, maintaining the elegant thin design
3Reliability
If screw connection is used to attach the heel to the insole, then the heel attachment is secure, but the insole must be covered with leather to hide the screw, adding production steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the screw connection and associated cosmetic covering from the design. The elastic heel holder uses a deformation-based locking mechanism that secures the heel without visible fasteners, removing the need for additional leather covering steps and simplifying production while maintaining secure attachment
4Device complexity
If the insole only provides flat contact surface at few points, then the shoe structure remains simple, but the foot load is concentrated on ball of foot causing uneven loading and body strain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality variations within the elastic insole material, creating zones of different stiffness or thickness. The heel holder area has enhanced local properties for concentrated support, while other areas provide distributed support, preventing foot load concentration without requiring complex multi-component structures
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
This solution reduces production complexity and costs, provides optimal foot support, and ensures a secure, elegant heel attachment, distributing foot load more evenly and reducing strain on the body.
Implementation Method 1
a stabilizing element with a heel holder part made as an elastic workpiece made of a stable hard material
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The system has a steel spring, and a stabilizing element (3) including a lug that acts as a heel supporting part. The element has a stable or elastic plastic part. A heel (2) has a negative recess corresponding to the shape of the lug. The heel is fixed to the lug by a lockable fastening unit in the form of a plug and socket device and/or a snap-in locking device. The lug and the recess are dimensioned and formed together in a form-fit or force-fit manner, so that the heel is fixedly connected with the lug in cooperation with the fastening unit.