Inflatable Bladder Footwear Upper for Adjustable Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear often compromises on cushioning and fit, leading to discomfort, soreness, and increased risk of injuries due to inadequate absorption of impact forces and lack of customization for individual needs and activities.
Innovation Solution
An article of footwear featuring an upper with an inflatable bladder system between inner and outer layers, allowing for adjustable cushioning and support through an inflation mechanism, along with a saddle structure to limit bulging and enhance fit, utilizing materials like spandex and release agents for optimal comfort and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the sole is made relatively thick and heavy to achieve adequate cushioning, then the cushioning performance is improved, but the weight of the footwear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an inflatable bladder system within the sole structure that uses air pressure to provide cushioning. By inflating the bladder with air, the system achieves adequate shock absorption and impact protection without requiring a thick, heavy sole construction. The air-filled bladder expands to absorb impact forces while adding minimal weight to the footwear.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning characteristics of the footwear are made adjustable by changing the inflation pressure of the bladder. Users can modify the amount of air in the bladder to tune the cushioning level according to their needs and activity requirements. This parameter adjustment allows adequate cushioning performance with a lighter sole structure compared to fixed thick-sole designs.
2Weight of moving object
If the sole size and weight are reduced to achieve other performance goals, then the footwear weight is reduced, but the protection of the wearer's foot is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable bladder provides effective foot protection within a lightweight sole structure. The air-filled chamber acts as a shock absorber that protects the foot from impact forces during activities. This pneumatic cushioning system delivers adequate protection without requiring a heavy or thick sole, thus maintaining reduced footwear weight while ensuring foot safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning system is made dynamic and adaptable through inflation and deflation capabilities. The bladder can be adjusted in real-time to provide appropriate protection levels for different activities and conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the lightweight sole to deliver variable protection levels, ensuring adequate foot protection without the need for excessive sole mass.
3Ease of manufacture
If the footwear provides fixed cushioning and fit, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the adaptability to individual needs and activities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear incorporates a dynamic inflation system that allows users to adjust cushioning and fit characteristics after manufacturing. The bladder can be inflated or deflated to accommodate different foot sizes, shapes, and activity requirements. This post-manufacturing adjustability provides customized fit for individual users without complicating the core manufacturing process, as the bladder and inflation mechanism are integrated into the standard footwear construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable bladder system serves multiple functions: it provides cushioning, adjusts fit for different users, and adapts to various activity levels. This multi-functional component allows a single footwear design to serve diverse individual needs and activities while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes. The universal applicability of the inflation system across different user requirements enhances adaptability without requiring multiple specialized shoe models.
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
Provides customizable cushioning and support, reducing foot discomfort and injury risk by allowing users to adjust the fit and cushioning according to their preferences and activities, enhancing overall foot comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
An inflatable bladder is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer and is attached to both a medial side and a lateral side of the strobel board and extends across a throat region of the upper
Implementation Method 2
the inflatable bladder comprises a release agent cured to a first film by the application of ultraviolet light
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear with a sole and an upper. The upper includes an inner layer configured to receive a foot and an outer layer with a first portion more stretchable than a second portion. A strobel board is disposed above the sole and attached to the inner layer. An inflatable bladder is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer and attached to both a medial side and a lateral side of the strobel board. The inflatable bladder extends across a throat region of the upper and is operatively coupled with an inflation mechanism and release mechanism configured to inflate and deflate the inflatable bladder. A saddle is disposed between the inflatable bladder and the outer layer in lateral and medial quarter regions of the upper, but not extending into the throat region. The first portion of the outer layer covers the inflatable bladder at the throat region.