High Heel Shoe Damping Device for Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-heeled shoes often cause heel and ankle pain due to increased pressure and unphysiological foot position, leading to joint stress and instability, with existing cushioning solutions failing to provide adequate damping and stability while maintaining a slim, elegant design.
Innovation Solution
A damping device with freely deformable elements having different cross-sectional areas and shapes along the heel's longitudinal axis, utilizing materials like gel or elastic polymers, and a piston-cylinder connection with noise reduction features to absorb shock and distribute pressure effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a slim heel design is used, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the pressure on the heel increases many times over
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is nested within the heel structure, specifically positioned between the heel tip and the shoe upper. This allows the damping function to be integrated into the slim heel design without increasing its external dimensions, while still providing adequate volume for shock absorption within the constrained space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses damping elements made from elastic materials such as rubber, silicone, or foam, which combine compressibility with structural integrity. These materials allow the heel to maintain a slim profile while providing sufficient cushioning through the material's inherent shock-absorbing properties rather than increasing structural volume.
2Reliability
If cushioning systems are integrated into the heel, then shock absorption is improved, but instability or frictional noises occur
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is positioned specifically at the heel tip area where shock absorption is most needed, rather than distributing cushioning throughout the entire heel structure. This localized approach provides effective shock absorption while maintaining stability in the rest of the heel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element acts as an intermediary between the heel tip and the shoe upper, absorbing shock forces before they can cause instability or frictional noises in the surrounding components. This mediator function protects the overall heel assembly from the negative effects of impact forces.
3Reliability
If the damping element is freely deformable, then shock absorption is improved, but the heel diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is designed to be dynamically deformable only in the vertical compression direction, while its lateral dimensions remain constrained. This allows the element to absorb shock through vertical deformation without increasing the heel's external diameter, maintaining both performance and aesthetic requirements.
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
The solution provides effective shock absorption and stability, reducing joint stress and noise, allowing for comfortable wear of high-heeled shoes with slim and tall designs, addressing the limitations of prior art by ensuring adequate damping and stability without compromising aesthetics or practicality.
Implementation Method 1
The damping element (21) is made of an elastic material such as rubber, silicone or foam
Implementation Method 2
forces acting in the longitudinal direction of the heel which act on the heel when the heel tip hits the ground are damped
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3
Figure 4~5c
AI summary
The shoe (1) has a heel provided on a sole, where height and diameter of the heel is about 4 cm. The heel is provided with a damping device (20) that comprises a damping element (21), which has different damping effect cross-sections along a heel longitudinal axis and/or freely more deformable in a direction vertical to the heel longitudinal axis. The damping element is arranged in a chamber in the heel. The damping device is provided with a transmission and guide element that extends through the damping element and laterally guided in a recess of a heel upper part (3). The damping element is made of a gel-like or fixed, compressible material, an elastomer, thermoplastic, cork, foam material, latex, and/or gel.