Flexible EVA Shoe Bar for Foot Sliding and Pressure Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Classic heeled shoes are uncomfortable due to foot sliding and increased pressure, leading to fatigue and skin lesions, with existing solutions either unsuitable for normal feet or not effectively preventing forward sliding.
Innovation Solution
A shoe device with a central bar having a convex shape and a flexible, shock-absorbing base that covers part of the sole, integrated with a heel element made of damping material to prevent foot sliding and distribute pressure evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a raised central part is added to the sole to support the arch, then the arch support is improved, but the metatarsals are verticalized and the foot is placed in point, leading to significant tension in the peroneal muscles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing arch support only in the central region of the sole through a raised part, while maintaining a flat or slightly inclined surface at the toe area. This localized approach supports the arch without verticalizing the metatarsals, thereby avoiding peroneal muscle tension while still providing necessary arch support.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole is segmented into different functional zones: a raised central part for arch support and a separate toe area with different characteristics. This segmentation allows the arch-supporting function to be isolated to where it is needed, preventing unwanted effects on the metatarsals and peroneal muscles.
2Ease of operation
If a raised central part is added to the sole, then arch support is improved, but the application is limited to shoes designed to insert it
Solution Approach 1:
The raised central part is designed as a universal arch support element that can be inserted into various types of shoes with different heel heights and styles. Its compact design and strategic positioning allow it to function effectively across different shoe types, making it versatile and broadly applicable rather than limited to specific shoe models.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the sole does not have a forward inclined part, then the foot slides forward in the shoe, but adding such a part increases the digitigrade phase and pressure in the forefoot
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a general forward incline across the entire sole, the patent applies a localized slight inclination only at the toe area. This localized approach provides enough friction and surface geometry to prevent foot sliding forward, while the limited scope of the inclination prevents excessive forefoot pressure by not extending the digitigrade phase throughout the entire walking cycle.
4Ease of operation
If cushions of approximately 5 mm thickness are added under the toes and metatarsals, then cushioning is provided, but the foot becomes tight in the shoe causing classic pathologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides cushioning through the raised central part's geometry and material properties rather than adding thick cushioning layers throughout. The raised part creates natural cushioning effects where needed (under the arch and metatarsals) without adding excessive thickness that would cause the foot to become tight in the shoe, thereby avoiding pathologies associated with restricted foot movement.
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
The solution reduces foot fatigue and skin lesions by preventing forward sliding and distributing pressure, making it suitable for all foot types and conventional shoes without increasing tightness.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible and shock-absorbing base that covers part of the sole
Implementation Method 2
distributing pressure evenly
Implementation Method 3
a heel element made of flexible and damping material, intended to be placed vertically between the upper of the shoe and the heel of the foot
Implementation Method 4
limit the sliding of the foot towards the forward and also backwards when walking
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The device has a transverse bar (34) made of flexible and damping material, delimited by anterior and posterior lines extending from interior towards exterior of foot of a wearer, where the device is made of EVA foam. The bar is erected behind heads of metatarsals (12) of the foot of the wearer and in front of base of the metatarsals in order to limit slip of the foot and intensity of impact on the ground during walking. The bar is delimited by a straight line formed in front of the base of the metatarsals and by one of the lines formed behind the heads of the metatarsals.