Footwear Cable Lock and Pulley Feedback for Fast Fit Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear tightening systems are time-consuming to adjust and release tension, often requiring external mechanisms that detract from aesthetics and do not allow for quick adjustment between tightened and loosened states.
Innovation Solution
An article of footwear with a dynamic lacing system featuring a cable lock and pulley mechanism that allows for easy transition between tightened and loosened states, providing audible and tactile feedback, and integrated into the shoe structure for seamless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional tightening systems use external tightening mechanisms, then the fit adjustment function is achieved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and the adjustment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tightening mechanism is nested within the footwear structure itself. The cable runs through the upper material and the tightening mechanism is integrated into the footwear's internal architecture, making it invisible from the exterior while maintaining full functionality for quick fit adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tightening mechanism is extracted from external visibility and relocated to the interior of the footwear. By moving the mechanism inside the footwear structure, the aesthetic appearance is preserved while the functional capability for rapid tension adjustment is maintained.
2Reliability
If conventional lacing systems use traditional laces or hook and loop fasteners, then the fastening function is achieved, but the tension control precision and durability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical lacing system (laces, knots, or hook and loop fasteners) is replaced with a cable-based tensioning system. This mechanical substitution enables more precise tension control through the cable's linear movement and provides superior durability by eliminating wear-prone components like friction materials and moving fastener parts.
3Productivity
If known tightening systems require simultaneous depression of release mechanism and pulling, then the cable tension release function is achieved, but the operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The release function is extracted as a separate, independent control mechanism. The release cord is routed independently from the tightening cable, allowing the user to release tension by simply pulling the release cord without needing to simultaneously operate other components, thereby simplifying the operation and reducing the time required to remove the footwear.
4Ease of operation
If tightening mechanisms are placed on the exterior of the upper, then the accessibility for adjustment is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tightening mechanism is nested within the footwear's internal structure. The cable passes through the upper material and the tensioning components are housed inside the footwear, making them inaccessible from the exterior in terms of visibility but fully accessible for operation through strategically placed access points.
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 quick and efficient adjustment of footwear tension, enhancing user convenience and maintaining aesthetic appeal by integrating the tensioning system within the shoe design.
Implementation Method 1
a pulley coupled with the cable and operable to rotate about a shaft in response to movement of the cable
Implementation Method 2
a cable lock coupled with the cable and including a housing operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the cable
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear comprises an upper defining an interior void, a sole structure attached to the upper, a cable attached to the upper and moveable in a tightening direction to decrease a volume of the interior void of the upper and in a loosening direction to increase a volume of the interior void of the upper, and a locking device operable between a locked state to prevent movement of the cable and an unlocked state to permit movement of the cable, the locking having a housing attached to one of the upper and the sole structure and receiving the cable therethrough. The housing includes a pulley rotatably disposed therein, whereby the pulley is engaged by the cable and configured cooperate with the housing to provide audible or tactile feedback when the pulley is rotated by cable.