Footwear Upper Bladder Layout for Dynamic Heel and Ankle Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional athletic footwear lacks effective mechanisms for providing dynamic support and comfort to the heel and ankle areas without the need for manual or mechanical pumps.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of bladders with fluid chambers and lines that utilize a continuous outer perimeter seam to form sealed interior volumes, allowing fluid to move between chambers to provide support and comfort, moderated by a strap system that applies force to instep chambers to increase fluid pressure and volume in heel and ankle support chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional footwear structures are used, then the footwear is simple in structure, but the footwear lacks dynamic support and comfort mechanisms for the heel and ankle areas
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is divided into multiple sealed chambers (instep chamber, heel chamber, ankle chambers) that can independently manage fluid distribution to provide targeted support in different regions of the foot
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid is used as a medium to transmit force and provide support. The fluid can move between chambers to dynamically adjust support levels in the heel and ankle areas without requiring mechanical pumps or complex actuation systems
2Reliability
If fluid chambers and lines are added to provide dynamic support, then support and comfort are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder chambers and fluid lines are integrated into a single cohesive component that is attached to the footwear upper as one unit, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to assembling multiple separate parts
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid-filled bladder system serves multiple functions: providing cushioning, supporting the heel and ankle, and adjusting to different foot positions, all within a single integrated structure
3Reliability
If a continuous outer perimeter seam is used to seal the bladder, then the sealed interior volume is well-formed for fluid containment, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is constructed from flexible thermoplastic sheets that can be heat-sealed to form a continuous outer perimeter seam, creating an effective fluid barrier without requiring complex rigid sealing mechanisms
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
Provides additional support and improved comfort to the heel and ankle areas by increasing fluid pressure and volume without the use of pumps, enhancing the fit and reducing excess space within the footwear.
Implementation Method 1
a strap system that applies force to instep chambers to increase fluid pressure and volume in heel and ankle support chambers
Implementation Method 2
fluid lines connecting the instep chambers to the heel and ankle support chambers... allowing fluid to move between chambers
Data Source
AI summary
Footwear uppers include a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region. A bladder is engaged with the footwear upper. The bladder includes: (i) at least a first instep chamber engaged with the instep region, (ii) at least a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber. Fluid moving from the first instep chamber to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber (e.g., under force applied by a footwear securing strap) provides further support for the wearer's heel and/or ankle.