High Heel Shoe with Segmented Elastic Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high heel shoe designs fail to provide optimal comfort due to inadequate vertical elasticity, leading to mechanical stress and transverse instability, and are often complicated by the need for additional components or limited applicability.
Innovation Solution
A heel design featuring an oblong main structure with horizontally oriented slits that provide vertical elasticity, combined with a reinforcement pin and elastic means, allowing vertical slidable portions and enhanced structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If metal springs or soft plastic elements are used to provide vertical elasticity, then comfort is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and production complications
Solution Approach 1:
The heel is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion that can move vertically relative to each other, with the division created by injection molding process segments rather than separate mechanical components. This segmentation provides vertical elasticity while avoiding the need for additional springs or soft elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical elasticity function is merged into the single monolithic structure of the heel by creating movable portions through injection molding. The upper and lower portions are integrated into one piece that allows vertical movement, combining structural integrity with elastic function without additional components.
2Ease of operation
If horizontal slits are formed in the heel to provide vertical elasticity, then comfort is improved, but transverse stability deteriorates due to noticeable transverse instability
Solution Approach 1:
The heel is segmented into upper and lower movable portions through the injection molding process, creating vertical flexibility without requiring horizontal slits that would compromise transverse stability. The segmentation occurs in the vertical direction through process-induced parting lines rather than through cutting slits.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating flexibility through horizontal slits (two-dimensional approach), the invention uses vertical movement between upper and lower portions (three-dimensional approach). This dimensional shift allows elasticity in the vertical direction while maintaining structural integrity in the transverse direction.
3Ease of manufacture
If shallow horizontal grooves are formed in the heel surface, then manufacturing is simplified, but vertical elasticity is insufficient for adequate comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical elasticity is built into the heel structure during the injection molding process itself, rather than adding grooves or features afterward. The movable portions are created as part of the primary manufacturing process, ensuring adequate elasticity without requiring subsequent manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of how elasticity is achieved - not through surface grooves but through the creation of movable portions with specific geometric characteristics during injection molding. This parameter change enables sufficient vertical elasticity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
4Ease of manufacture
If the heel is made as a single monolithic structure, then production is simplified, but vertical elasticity is insufficient leading to mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic heel is segmented into upper and lower movable portions through the injection molding process, creating internal movement capability within a single-piece structure. This segmentation is achieved through process technology rather than assembly of separate parts, maintaining production simplicity while adding vertical elasticity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid monolithic structure is transformed into a dynamic structure with movable portions that can move vertically relative to each other. This dynamic capability is integrated into the single-piece heel through injection molding, allowing the structure to adapt to walking stresses while remaining a unified component.
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 design achieves optimal vertical elasticity, reducing foot and leg stress while maintaining natural walking comfort and applicability to various shoe types without significant production complications.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body that establishes a mechanical connection between the two portions themselves
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Heel (2) for a women's shoe (1) with a high heel; the heel (2) has a main structure (3) provided with.- at least a first slit (8) which is horizontally oriented, extends from side to side through the main structure (3) along a longitudinal direction (9), and is blind along a transverse direction (10) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (9) starting from an inner portion of the main structure (3) and ending in correspondence to a first side (11) of the main structure (3); and at least a second slit (12) which is horizontally oriented, extends from side to side through the main structure (3) along the longitudinal direction (9), and is blind along the transverse direction (10) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (9) starting from an inner portion of the main structure (3) and ending in correspondence to a second side (13) of the main structure (3) that is opposite to the first side (11).