Footwear Bladder Integrating Foot Support and Strap Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear lacks an efficient mechanism to secure the foot while providing ventilation and comfort, often relying on hardware components that can be cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The use of bladder components in footwear, comprising a first and second thermoplastic elastomer sheet joined by an outer perimeter bond, forming interior chambers that support the foot and secure straps in a hardware-free manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hardware components are used to secure the foot, then the footwear can provide a secure fit, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the foot support function and strap securing function into a single integrated bladder component. The bladder forms both the foot support chamber and the strap securing chambers, eliminating the need for separate hardware components. This integration maintains secure fit while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder component performs multiple functions: it provides foot support, secures straps, and enables ventilation. By making the bladder multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If conventional footwear structures are used, then the footwear can secure the foot, but the ease of operation worsens due to cumbersome securing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical hardware securing mechanisms with a fluid-based bladder system. The bladder uses fluid pressure and flexibility to secure the foot and straps, eliminating the need for complex mechanical fasteners and making the securing mechanism easier to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder component is designed to automatically adapt to the foot shape and secure the straps through fluid pressure distribution. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for manual manipulation of complex hardware, improving ease of operation while maintaining secure foot fastening.
3Device complexity
If the bladder forms integrated chambers for foot support and strap securing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is formed from multiple segmented thermoplastic elastomer sheets that are bonded together. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of individual components with controlled precision, while the final integrated structure achieves the desired complexity reduction. The segments can be manufactured and assembled with standard precision tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thermoplastic elastomer material that changes its physical parameters (flexibility, strength) based on temperature and processing conditions. This material property change allows for flexible manufacturing of complex chamber geometries without requiring extremely tight precision tolerances, as the material can be molded and bonded within reasonable manufacturing variations.
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
This solution provides a secure, comfortable, and ventilated footwear experience by utilizing fluid communication between the foot support chamber and securing strap chambers, eliminating the need for separate hardware components.
Implementation Method 1
a first thermoplastic elastomer sheet and a second thermoplastic elastomer sheet joined to the first thermoplastic elastomer sheet by an outer perimeter bond
Implementation Method 2
fluid passages configured to move fluid (e.g., when the footwear is secured to a wearer's foot) from beneath the wearer's foot to the securing strap(s)
Data Source
AI summary
Bladders for footwear uppers, footwear components and articles of footwear including the bladders, and/or methods of making and using such bladders are described. The bladders may include first and second thermoplastic elastomer sheets joined together by an outer perimeter bond. An interior chamber is defined between the thermoplastic elastomer sheets and inside the outer perimeter bond. The outer perimeter bond may be shaped such that the interior chamber forms: (i) a foot support chamber portion for supporting at least a portion of a plantar surface of a wearer's foot, and at least one of items (ii) and (iii) below, in which: item (ii) comprises a first side chamber portion (e.g., forming at least part of a first securing strap or a first footwear upper component), and item (iii) comprises a second side chamber portion (e.g., forming at least part of a first strap-engaging member or a second footwear upper component).