Footwear Insole with Variable Viscosity Fluid Filling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear cushioning systems, such as those using Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) or hydrodynamic pads, fail to provide adequate cushioning for users with vulnerable bodily structures or athletes prone to injuries, as they do not effectively dissipate mechanical loads during high-impact activities like running.
Innovation Solution
A cushioning element with a deformable filling and an envelope that forms flow channels, containing solid bodies and a lubricating fluid, where increased pressure from mechanical loads causes the fluid to flow into the channels, increasing viscosity and enhancing energy dissipation, thereby improving cushioning without substantial weight increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cushioning materials like EVA are used, then the footwear provides basic cushioning, but the cushioning effect is insufficient for users with vulnerable bodily structures or athletes prone to injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the cushioning material by using a deformable filling with solid bodies and lubricating fluid, where the viscosity can dynamically change in response to applied pressure. This allows the material to adapt its cushioning properties based on the magnitude of the mechanical load, providing superior cushioning effectiveness for vulnerable users compared to traditional EVA materials with fixed properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite deformable filling consisting of solid bodies suspended in a lubricating fluid, creating a non-Newtonian material with variable viscosity. This composite structure enables the filling to exhibit different mechanical responses under different loading conditions, significantly improving load dissipation capability compared to homogeneous traditional cushioning materials.
2Reliability
If additional cushioning material like EVA is added to increase cushioning capability, then the cushioning effect is improved, but the weight of the insole and footwear increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves enhanced cushioning capability without substantial weight increase by utilizing a deformable filling with variable viscosity properties. The lubricating fluid and solid bodies create a system that automatically adjusts its resistance to flow based on applied pressure, providing high cushioning effectiveness during impact while maintaining low weight during normal wear, thus avoiding the need to add substantial amounts of heavy cushioning material.
3Loss of energy
If a hydrodynamic pad is used to dissipate load through fluid flow, then part of the load is dissipated, but the outer shape change hinders absorption of subsequent loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an envelope with a deformable portion that can flex and change shape in response to applied loads, allowing the cushioning element to absorb and dissipate energy through controlled deformation. The envelope maintains structural integrity while permitting the internal deformable filling to flow and redistribute, enabling continuous load absorption without permanent shape change that would hinder subsequent cushioning events.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates a deformable filling with lubricating fluid that can dynamically change its flow characteristics in response to applied pressure. During impact, the fluid flows and dissipates energy, and after the load is removed, the system returns to its original state, ready to absorb subsequent loads. This dynamic behavior allows continuous cushioning performance.
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 solution provides enhanced cushioning by increasing the viscosity of the deformable filling outside the flow channels, effectively dissipating mechanical loads and offering improved comfort and support for varying user weights, while maintaining a lightweight design.
Implementation Method 1
as a result of the increased pressure, the lubricating fluid will in use flow into the at least one flow channel
Implementation Method 2
This leads to an increased concentration of the solid bodies outside the at least one flow channel, which increases viscosity of the deformable filling outside the at least one flow channel
Implementation Method 3
Such increased viscosity leads to higher energy dissipation. Thus, improved cushioning will be obtained, as cushioning can be achieved by dissipating the mechanical load
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
Cushioning element (4) for footwear, having a deformable filling (12) and an envelope (10) that encloses the deformable filling. The envelope is arranged for forming at least one flow channel (837). In use, at least part of the deformable filling flows into the at least one flow channel as a result of increased pressure of the deformable filling caused by a mechanical load The deformable filling contains solid bodies and further contains a lubricating fluid for mutually lubricating the solid bodies. A dimension of the at least one flow channel is arranged for hindering entrance of the solid bodies into the at least one flow channel during cushioning.