Insole Arch Support Design for Footwear Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current insole design methods fail to adequately combine user comfort needs with the requirements of industrial production, particularly in safety footwear, where comfort and manufacturing compatibility are not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A designing method that defines configuration parameters for a support for the plantar arch, such as initial and final portions, depth, and height, along with foot length and width, to categorize insoles into low, medium, and high types, allowing for industrial manufacturing while enhancing user comfort through specific dimensional and material distribution, including high-density and memory-effect polyurethane materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional insole design methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but user comfort needs are not adequately satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidindustrial manufacturability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by defining specific configuration parameters (initial portion, final portion, depth, height) that determine insole geometry. These parameters are adjusted based on statistical foot measurements to optimize comfort while maintaining industrial manufacturability through standardized design variables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by creating differentiated insole regions with specific functional properties. The insole is divided into distinct zones (heel portion, arch support portion, forefoot portion) with varying depths, heights, and material densities to address local comfort needs while following a manufacturable design framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If customized insole design for individual foot shapes is implemented, then user comfort is improved, but production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort customizationVSAvoiddesign and production complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating standardized insole designs that replicate the essential anatomical support features of custom-fitted insoles. Based on statistical analysis of foot measurements, the patent defines configuration parameters that copy the beneficial geometric characteristics of individual foot shapes into universally applicable standardized designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves universality by designing insoles with configuration parameters that can accommodate variations in foot shapes across different users. The standardized design with adjustable parameters serves multiple foot types and comfort requirements, eliminating the need for individual customization while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 method results in insoles that are industrially manufacturable and provide improved comfort by redistributing pressure and reducing muscle fatigue, verified through statistical studies and customizable to individual foot shapes.

Implementation Method 1

second portion (2) made of a memory-effect polyurethane material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMemory effect: Memory Foam

Data Source

PatentEP3878301B1Insole designing and manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 BASE PROTECTION SRL
  • EP3878301B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3878301B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3878301B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A designing method of a insole for a user is described, comprising the steps of: defining the following configuration parameters of supports for plantar arch (SZ): initial portion of support for plantar arch; final portion of support for plantar arch; depth of support for plantar arch; height of support for plantar arch AH. The method further comprises the following steps: defining a first plurality of dimensional parameters of a foot (200) including: a foot length; a foot width; defining, by means of said configuration parameters, three types of supports for plantar arch in accordance with the mathematical relationships expressed as a function of the first plurality of dimensional parameters of a foot and such as to identify: a support for low plantar arch, a support for middle plantar arch and a support for high plantar arch.