Fluid-Filled Foot Bladders for Adjustable Plantar Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional athletic footwear lacks adjustable support systems that can dynamically adapt to the user's foot shape and movement, leading to inadequate comfort and performance during various activities.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of pressure-adjustable fluid-filled bladders in footwear, controlled by a compressor and solenoid valves, allowing independent inflation and deflation of bladder compartments to provide customized support to different foot areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional athletic footwear is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the footwear lacks adjustable support systems that can dynamically adapt to the user's foot shape and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear is divided into multiple independent bladder compartments (heel bladder, forefoot bladder, toe bladders) that can be inflated or deflated separately. Each compartment is controlled by its own solenoid valve, allowing selective adjustment of support in different foot regions without affecting other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The footwear incorporates a dynamic support system where bladders can be inflated or deflated in real-time based on detected foot conditions (pronation, supination, pressure points). The system transitions from static conventional footwear to dynamically adjustable support that adapts to changing foot shapes and movement patterns during activity.
2Ease of operation
If pressure-adjustable fluid-filled bladders are incorporated, then dynamic support tailored to the user's foot is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect foot conditions (pronation, supination, pressure distribution) and trigger appropriate bladder inflation/deflation sequences without user intervention. The control system self-adjusts based on real-time foot feedback, eliminating the need for manual operation while providing customized support.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors and motion detectors continuously monitor foot conditions and provide feedback to the control system. The system uses this feedback to automatically adjust bladder pressure in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal support based on actual foot state rather than pre-set configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bladder compartments are used for independent inflation and deflation, then customized support to different foot areas is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear upper is segmented into multiple independent bladder compartments (heel, forefoot, toe areas) that can be manufactured as separate modular units. Each compartment has its own inflation/deflation ports and is controlled by dedicated solenoid valves, allowing standardized manufacturing processes to be applied to each module and simplifying assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses universal components across different bladder compartments, including identical solenoid valve designs, standardized pressure sensors, and common control logic that can manage multiple bladders. This modular universal approach reduces the variety of unique parts needed and simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process despite the complexity of having multiple adjustable compartments.
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
Enhances comfort and performance by providing dynamic support tailored to the user's foot, improving stability and reducing fatigue through adjustable pressure distribution.
Implementation Method 1
pressure-adjustable fluid-filled bladders... allowing independent inflation and deflation of bladder compartments to provide customized support to different foot areas
Implementation Method 2
controlled by a compressor and solenoid valves, allowing independent inflation and deflation of bladder compartments
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Foot support systems for articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices include one or more of: (a) a compressor (210) including a gas intake port (210A) and a gas outlet port (210B); (b) a first solenoid valve (220) including a gas intake port (220A), a first gas outlet port (220H), and a second gas outlet port (220F); (c) a first fluid line (212) connecting the gas outlet port (210B) of the compressor (210) with the gas intake port (220A) of the first solenoid valve (220); (d) a second solenoid valve (230) including a gas intake port (230A) and a gas outlet port (230B); (e) a second fluid line (222H) connecting the first gas outlet port (220H) of the first solenoid valve (220) with the gas intake port (230A) of the second solenoid valve (230); (f) a third solenoid valve (240) including a gas intake port (240A) and a gas outlet port (240B); (g) a third fluid line (222F) connecting the second gas outlet port (220F) of the first solenoid valve (220) with the gas intake port (240A) of the third solenoid valve (240); (h) a first fluid-filled bladder (202H) configured to support at least a first portion of a plantar surface of a user's foot, wherein the first fluid-filled bladder (202H) includes a gas port (204H); (i) a fourth fluid line (230H) connecting the gas outlet port (230B) of the second solenoid valve (230) with the gas port (204H) of the first fluid-filled bladder (202H); (j) a second fluid-filled bladder (202F) configured to support at least a second portion of a plantar surface of a user's foot, wherein the second fluid-filled bladder (202F) includes a gas port (204F); and (k) a fifth fluid line (240F) connecting the gas outlet port (240B) of the third solenoid valve (240) with the gas port (204F) of the second fluid-filled bladder (202F).