Fluid-Control Foot Support Bladders for Adjustable Sole Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional athletic footwear lacks the ability to dynamically adjust and control fluid pressure within the sole structure, which can affect foot support and comfort, particularly during various activities.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of fluid distributors, movable valve stems, and solenoid valves in footwear to selectively control fluid flow and pressure within foot support bladders, allowing for multiple operational states to enhance comfort and support.
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 adjust fluid pressure for foot support is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear is divided into distinct functional components: an upper, a sole structure, and integrated foot support bladders. This segmentation allows the pressure adjustment system to be incorporated as a modular addition rather than a complete redesign, enabling dynamic adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through component separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid distribution system serves multiple functions: it provides structural support through the sole, enables dynamic pressure adjustment in the foot support bladders, and can be controlled through various input mechanisms. This multi-functionality allows a single system to address both the adaptability need and the complexity constraint by consolidating multiple functions into integrated components.
2Ease of operation
If fluid pressure control systems are added to footwear, then foot support and comfort can be customized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect user needs and conditions, enabling the footwear to self-adjust pressure without requiring complex manual controls. This self-service capability simplifies the user interface while maintaining the ability to provide customized pressure adjustment, reducing the operational complexity despite the added fluid control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor foot pressure and user conditions, providing real-time feedback to the control mechanism. This feedback loop enables automatic pressure adjustment, making the system easy to operate while the intelligent control algorithm manages the complexity of the fluid distribution system internally.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operational states are implemented for fluid flow control, then foot support can be optimized for different activities, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static footwear structure to dynamic pressure control by incorporating movable valve stems and solenoid valves. These components enable the footwear to adapt to different activities through programmable pressure states, while the modular design of the valve system and fluid channels allows for standardized manufacturing processes that mitigate the complexity increase.
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 adjustment of fluid pressure within the sole structure, improving foot support and comfort by allowing for customizable pressure changes in response to different activities.
Implementation Method 1
solenoid valves in footwear to selectively control fluid flow and pressure
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). Aspects of this technology may relate to one or more of: (a) footwear structures in which such systems are incorporated; (b) valve stem based fluid flow transfer systems; (c) solenoid based fluid flow transfer systems; (d) user input button features; (e) air filter features; (f) fluid tube to fluid distributor connection features; (g) fluid distributor to footwear connection features; (h) valve position sensor features; (i) valve transmission features; (j) pressure control algorithm features; (k) electronic communication features; (l) system sealing features; and/or (m) pressure sensor mounting features.