Personalized Insole Production via Pressure-Sensitive Color Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot pressure analysis devices are expensive and difficult for general users to afford, and they struggle to accurately manufacture personalized insoles that account for individual foot pressure patterns, pelvic distortion, and medical conditions during gait.
Innovation Solution
A personalized insole manufacturing apparatus that includes a foot pressure pattern measuring unit, image acquisition, and processor-based calculation to determine the necessary attachment pads for an insole, considering body weight distribution, gait movement, and pelvic distortion, using a 3D printer or molding apparatus to produce customized pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple attachments are attached to the insole based on measured foot pressure patterns, then the personalization accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate attachment functions into a single integrated attachment that can address multiple pressure points and provide comprehensive support. This merging approach maintains the personalization benefits of multiple attachments while reducing the overall number of components the user must handle and attach.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment design incorporates multiple functional elements within a single component, allowing it to serve various purposes simultaneously - providing pressure relief, arch support, and heel stabilization all through one attachment unit. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of attachments needed while maintaining high personalization accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple attachments are attached to the insole based on measured foot pressure patterns, then the personalization accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple attachment functions into one integrated component, the user only needs to perform one attachment operation instead of multiple separate operations. This significantly improves ease of operation while maintaining the personalized fit benefits of addressing multiple pressure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is designed to be easily applied by the user themselves without requiring professional assistance or complex procedures. The single integrated attachment can be self-applied through simple placement and adhesion, making the personalized insole manufacturing process accessible to general users.
3Measurement precision
If foot pressure analysis devices with multiple sensors are used, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive electronic pressure sensors, the patent employs a color-changing material that optically records pressure patterns. This copying approach captures the same pressure distribution information through a chemical/optical process rather than electronic sensing, dramatically reducing device cost while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot pressure measuring unit uses inexpensive color-changing material that can be discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for expensive, durable electronic sensors. This disposable approach makes accurate foot pressure measurement accessible to general users without the high cost of professional-grade sensing equipment.
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
Enables the convenient and accurate production of personalized insoles by simplifying attachment types and positions, accounting for individual physical characteristics and medical conditions, thereby improving fit and comfort while reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the foot pressure pattern measuring unit has adhesive properties so as to be attached to a sole of the user's foot and is configured to print differently between an area on which a high pressure is applied by the user's body weight and an area on which a low pressure is applied
Data Source
AI summary
Personalized insole manufacturing apparatus and method includes a foot pressure pattern measuring unit configured to measure user's foot pressure pattern, a foot pressure pattern image acquisition unit configured to capture an image of the foot pressure pattern printed on the foot pressure pattern measuring unit and combine the captured image with a foot shape image, a foot pressure pattern pressure calculation unit configured to divide the combined image into a predetermined number of areas, and calculate a pressure level for each area, an insole attachment calculation unit configured to calculate data of an attachment pad corresponding to the foot pressure pattern, and an insole attachment output unit configured to visually show the attachment pad or data calculated by the insole attachment calculation unit.