Heel Pressure Sock with Adjustable Projection for Insomnia Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to provide a constant concentrated pressure on the shimien pressure point on the heel, which is known to alleviate insomnia, as they do not maintain consistent pressure throughout the night.

Innovation Solution

A sock with a projection integrated into the heel portion that applies pressure to the shimien pressure point, featuring adjustable straps and non-slip material to ensure constant pressure application, allowing the projection to be positioned under or behind the heel for comfort during sleep and walking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical pressure is applied by rubbing feet manually or having another person rub feet, then temporary relief to the shimien pressure point is achieved, but constant concentrated pressure throughout the night cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstant pressure applicationVSAvoidmanual operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sock is designed to automatically apply pressure to the shimien pressure point without requiring manual intervention. The projection on the sock's heel portion self-adjusts to maintain contact with the pressure point throughout the night, eliminating the need for continuous manual rubbing or adjustment by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sock is prepared in advance with a projection positioned at the heel portion before being worn. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the sock is put on, the pressure-applying structure is already in place and will automatically engage with the shimien pressure point, eliminating the need for last-minute manual preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a projection is integrated into the sock fabric, then constant pressure is applied to the shimien pressure point, but the sock becomes less adaptable to different positions (sleeping vs. walking)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstant pressure applicationVSAvoidposition adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The projection is made detachable and repositionable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adapt to different situations. The user can move the projection to different locations on the sock's heel portion or attach/detach it as needed, enabling the sock to function effectively whether the user is sleeping or walking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the projection is made movable via straps, then adaptability to different positions is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition adjustabilityVSAvoidstrap and adjusting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sock is divided into functional segments: the main sock body, the detachable projection, and the strap system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the projection for pressure application, the straps for positioning, and the main body for comfort - while simplifying the overall design by allowing the projection to be removed if the strap mechanism is deemed too complex.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10413479B2Pressure point sleep garment

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 GREEN CARRIE

AI summary

A pressure point sleep garment (1) used to apply a constant concentrated pressure to a heel (4) of a wearer to induce sleep and alleviate insomnia wherein a projection (15) is pressed upward into the heel of the wearer via a sock (5) and/or one or more straps (17).