Embroidered Lace Support Distribution for Footwear Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear lacing systems face challenges in accommodating varying foot sizes, leading to excessive tension, stretching, and potential detachment of components, resulting in an uncomfortable and insecure fit.
Innovation Solution
A lacing system with embroidered lace supports distributed across a wide area of the upper, using primary and secondary loops to distribute tension efficiently, preventing stretching and ripping, and incorporating knitted layers with varying elasticity and air permeability for a dynamic fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional lacing system is used to secure the footwear to the foot, then the foot is held in place, but excessive tension causes stretching, ripping, and detachment of components
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing system is divided into multiple independent lace support elements (first lace support, second lace support, etc.) that are distributed across different regions of the upper. Each lace support is separately attached to the upper, which segments the tension forces that would otherwise concentrate on single attachment points, preventing stretching and detachment of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lace supports extend in multiple directions and form loops that can be laced in various patterns, adding dimensional flexibility to the system. This allows tension to be distributed across a three-dimensional network of supports rather than linear straps, increasing the surface area over which forces are dispersed and reducing stress on any single component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single type of lacing system is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate variations in foot sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple lace supports are designed with consistent structural features (loops, attachment points) that can accommodate different lacing patterns and foot sizes using the same basic components. The system provides universal adaptability through configuration flexibility rather than requiring different components for different foot sizes, maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lacing system incorporates adjustable elements including loops that can be positioned at different heights and lacing patterns that can be varied to accommodate different foot sizes and shapes. This dynamic configurability allows a single lacing system design to adapt to multiple foot size variations without increasing inherent structural complexity.
3Reliability
If lacing cords are tightly tensioned to provide a snug fit, then the fit is secure, but the components become uncomfortably tight and may detach over time
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the lacing system into multiple lace supports distributed across the upper, the total tension force is segmented into smaller forces acting on each individual support. This reduces the excessive tension on any single component and on the foot, preventing discomfort and detachment while maintaining secure overall fit.
Solution Approach 2:
Different lace supports can be positioned at different locations on the upper to distribute tension locally across high-strength regions. The embroidery stitching and attachment points are placed in areas of the upper that can better withstand local tension, reducing the harmful effects of excessive tension on both the foot and the lacing components.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear including a sole, an upper joined with the sole, and a lacing system. The lacing system is configured to secure the footwear to the wearer's foot and includes a lace support embroidered to the upper. The lace support has a plurality of turns forming at least one loops disposed on an exterior surface of the upper.