Insole Pod Redistributes Foot Strike Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The impact of foot strike during walking leads to significant forces on joints, causing discomfort and potential injury, and existing insoles do not effectively distribute these forces to reduce peak pressure.
Innovation Solution
An insole design featuring a pod in the heel region, filled with an encapsulated liquid, surrounded by PU foam and a TPU shell, which redistributes the force of foot strike over a larger area, providing sustained cushioning and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional cushioning materials are used in insoles, then some force distribution is achieved, but the peak force during foot strike is not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insole is divided into distinct functional zones: a heel region with high-viscosity damping material for impact absorption, a midfoot region with foam material for general cushioning, and a forefoot region with gel material for pressure distribution. This segmentation allows each zone to address specific force distribution needs, effectively reducing peak forces during foot strike.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials with specific viscosities and damping properties are applied to different regions of the insole based on local force distribution requirements. The heel region uses high-viscosity material (500-2000 Pa·s) for impact absorption, while other regions use materials with different properties optimized for their specific functions, thereby effectively reducing peak forces where they occur most intensely.
2Ease of operation
If cushioning materials are used to reduce impact forces, then comfort is improved, but the insole fails to provide sustained cushioning during repeated uses
Solution Approach 1:
The insole uses materials with specifically controlled viscosity parameters (500-2000 Pa·s for the heel region) that maintain their damping properties over repeated use. The viscoelastic materials exhibit consistent force distribution characteristics across multiple foot strikes, providing sustained cushioning and comfort during extended wear periods.
3Force
If force is distributed over a larger area, then peak force is reduced, but the complexity of insole structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insole is segmented into three main regions (heel, midfoot, forefoot) with distinct materials, creating a manageable structural complexity while achieving broad force distribution. Each segment covers a specific area and uses material properties to distribute forces locally, collectively reducing peak forces across the entire foot without requiring overly complex multi-layer constructions.
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 insole effectively reduces the peak force on the foot during impact, providing enhanced comfort and potentially reducing the risk of injury from repetitive stress.
Implementation Method 1
the pod comprises an encapsulated liquid... which redistributes the force of foot strike over a larger area
Implementation Method 2
redistributes the force of foot strike over a larger area, providing sustained cushioning
Implementation Method 3
surrounded by PU foam and a TPU shell, which redistributes the force of foot strike
Implementation Method 4
providing sustained cushioning and comfort
Data Source
AI summary
An insole (2) has a heel region (8), an arch region (6) and a forefoot region (4). A pod (10) comprising an encapsulated liquid is partially embedded in a foam layer in the heel region (8). The impact of foot strike can lead to large forces on joints in the body. The insole (2) with the pod (10) reduces the impact of foot strike and therefore can lessen the impact of steps on the body.