Footwear Protuberance Alignment System for Proprioceptive Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current footwear designs lack effective mechanisms to enhance proprioceptive and kinesthetic skills and neuromuscular control, as they often rely on single protrusions or simplistic sole maps, which limit the range and precision of foot positioning and orientation during movement.
Innovation Solution
The development of footwear with bulbous protrusions that can be moved and aligned using a protuberance coordinate system, featuring anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral shifts, integrated with an outsole map that includes coordinate systems and markers for precise positioning, allowing for customizable alignment and orientation to enhance proprioception and kinesthetic awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single protrusion is used on the footwear sole, then the device complexity is reduced, but the proprioceptive and kinesthetic training effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single protrusion is segmented into multiple protrusions (first protrusion and second protrusion) positioned at different locations on the sole. Each protrusion can be independently adjusted along its respective adjustment line, allowing for differentiated stimulation of proprioceptive receptors while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are made adjustable along adjustment lines rather than being fixed in position. This dynamic capability allows the user to modify the position, orientation, and spacing of protrusions based on training requirements, significantly enhancing proprioceptive and kinesthetic training effectiveness without substantially increasing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If fixed position protrusions are used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability for different training needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are designed to be adjustable along adjustment lines marked on the sole. Users can easily reposition protrusions to different locations and orientations according to specific training requirements, providing high adaptability for different proprioceptive and kinesthetic training programs while maintaining simple operation through direct placement and alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable protrusion system serves multiple training functions by allowing different configurations. The same footwear can accommodate various training scenarios (balance training, gait retraining, posture correction) by simply repositioning the protrusions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized footwear options.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise coordinate system alignment is implemented, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Adjustment lines and coordinate markers are pre-marked on the sole during manufacturing. These preliminary markings guide the user in achieving precise protrusion positioning without requiring complex alignment tools or procedures during use. The coordinate system is built into the footwear structure itself, simplifying the positioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment lines and coordinate markers serve as intermediaries between the user and the precise positioning requirement. Instead of directly manipulating complex coordinate systems, users align protrusions with the visual guides (adjustment lines), which translate user actions into precise positional relationships based on the underlying coordinate system.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A footwear, including an outsole including an anterior portion and a posterior portion wherein at least one of the anterior portion and the posterior portion are configured to receive at least one protuberance, the outsole including a visible outsole map including at least one of an anterior portion outsole map and a posterior portion outsole map, each including different outsole coordinate systems, and at least one protuberance movably mountable on the outsole and configured to contact the ground and including at least one visible protuberance coordinate system corresponding to the outsole map, wherein each of the reference points on the outsole map represents a unique protuberance alignment setting in respect to the outsole map.