Compressible Heel Counter Structure for Easy Foot Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear requires manual assistance or the use of a shoehorn to insert the foot due to the quarter collapsing under the heel, making it difficult to don and doff the shoe easily.
Innovation Solution
A heel counter with a compressible heel cup that distorts under foot load to widen the shoe opening, allowing easier foot insertion and securement, featuring a design with varying thickness and flexibility to facilitate this function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the quarter is made rigid to provide structural support, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of foot insertion deteriorates due to the quarter collapsing under the heel
Solution Approach 1:
The heel counter is designed with a compressible upper portion that dynamically changes configuration from a first state (providing structural support) to a second state (allowing easier foot insertion) under load, and automatically returns to the first state after the load is removed. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between structural stability and ease of foot insertion.
2Ease of operation
If manual assistance or a shoehorn is used to insert the foot, then the ease of foot insertion is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heel counter's upper portion automatically compresses and expands in response to the user's foot insertion and removal actions, eliminating the need for external tools or manual assistance. The structure serves itself by using the user's own movements to trigger the configuration changes needed for easy donning and doffing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the upper portion is made uniformly thick to provide consistent support, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of foot insertion deteriorates due to reduced flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The heel counter's upper portion features non-uniform thickness distribution, with thinner regions providing flexibility for compression during foot insertion and thicker regions maintaining structural integrity. This local variation in thickness allows different parts of the same component to serve different functions, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and ease of insertion.
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 hands-free and easy foot entry and removal by utilizing a compressible heel cup that adjusts to the foot's weight, providing secure fit and comfort upon insertion.
Implementation Method 1
the upper portion of the heel cup has a first configuration in its native state and is capable of distorting into a second configuration under a load of a user's foot when the user is donning the footwear
Implementation Method 2
the upper portion is capable of returning to the first configuration after the load of the user's foot is removed
Data Source
AI summary
The shoe includes a sole and an upper wherein the upper has an elastic material and a compressible component. The compressible component has a heat-activated material and is attached to an outer surface of the upper and curving from medial to lateral sides of the sole. The elastic material that is below the compressible component is configured, upon stretching, to facilitate securement of a user's foot within the shoe. The compressible component flexes downward upon an applied downward force by the user's foot when donning the shoe, and temporarily widens the foot-receiving shoe opening. The compressible component returning upward to surround and secure the rear portion of a heel of the user's foot within the shoe after donning.