Fluid-Controlled Foot Support Bladders for Adjustable Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional athletic footwear lacks effective mechanisms for dynamically controlling and adjusting foot support pressure, particularly in response to varying user needs and environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of fluid flow control systems with movable valve stems and solenoids to manage fluid distribution within foot support bladders, allowing for multiple operational states that adjust pressure in the footwear.
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 ability to dynamically control and adjust foot support pressure is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear is divided into multiple independent bladders (heel bladder, midfoot bladder, forefoot bladder) that can be controlled separately. Each bladder can be inflated or deflated independently to provide localized pressure adjustment across different regions of the foot, enabling dynamic adaptation without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs fluid-filled bladders connected to a pump system that uses pneumatic pressure to inflate and deflate the bladders. This hydraulic/pneumatic mechanism allows for precise and dynamic control of foot support pressure through fluid displacement, providing adaptability while maintaining relatively simple mechanical components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fluid flow control systems with multiple operational states are incorporated, then the adaptability to different user needs is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid flow control system incorporates movable valve stems that can transition between multiple operational states (first position, second position, intermediate position) to dynamically adjust fluid distribution. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to adapt to different user needs and environmental conditions while maintaining a relatively compact and integrated control structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect foot pressure, position, and environmental conditions, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment of fluid flow to maintain optimal foot support pressure, enhancing adaptability to different user needs while reducing the complexity of manual control systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If movable valve stems and solenoids are used for fluid distribution, then the precision of pressure control is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical valve systems with electromagnetic solenoids that control fluid flow through magnetic actuation. This substitution provides precise control of fluid distribution to multiple bladders while simplifying the mechanical structure, as solenoids can be easily integrated into the existing fluid lines and controlled electronically without requiring complex mechanical linkages.
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 dynamic control of foot support pressure, enhancing comfort and performance by accommodating different user needs and conditions through fluid management within the footwear.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporation of fluid flow control systems with movable valve stems and solenoids to manage fluid distribution within foot support bladders
Data Source
AI summary
Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). Such systems may include: (a) a first solenoid including first, second, and third ports; (b) a valve in fluid communication with the first solenoid's first port; and (c) a second solenoid including first, second, and third ports (the first port in fluid communication with the valve). Each of the first and second solenoids is switchable to: (a) a configuration where fluid flows through that solenoid between its first port and second port and (b) a configuration where fluid flows through that solenoid between its first port and third port. The valve is switchable between open and closed configurations. The solenoid and valve configurations are used to selectively place the systems in plural operational states.