Footwear Upper Bladder Structure for Pump-Free Heel and Ankle Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional athletic footwear lacks effective mechanisms for providing dynamic support and comfort to the heel and ankle areas without the need for manual or mechanical pumps.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of bladders with fluid chambers and lines that utilize a strap system to move fluid within the bladder, increasing pressure and volume in heel and ankle support chambers to provide additional support and comfort, eliminating the need for pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional footwear structures are used, then the simplicity of the footwear is maintained, but the ability to provide dynamic support and comfort to the heel and ankle areas is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is divided into multiple chambers including a heel chamber, ankle chamber, and instep chamber, each serving specific support functions. This segmentation allows targeted support in different areas without requiring a complex overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder with multiple chambers is nested within the footwear upper, with the instep chamber positioned under the lacing system and the heel and ankle chambers positioned in their respective areas. This nesting integrates the support mechanism within the existing footwear structure
2Reliability
If fluid chambers and lines are added to provide dynamic support, then support and comfort are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid lines are configured to allow fluid to move automatically between chambers based on foot movement and pressure changes, eliminating the need for pumps or external control mechanisms. The system serves itself through the natural mechanics of wearing the footwear
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid is used to provide dynamic support in the heel and ankle chambers, with the fluid moving through configured lines to adjust pressure and volume based on foot movement, providing adaptive support without mechanical components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the bladder chamber is positioned under the lacing system, then the force from the laces is moderated to reduce pressure on the instep, but the structural complexity of the upper increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instep chamber is positioned beforehand under the lacing system to cushion and distribute the force from the laces before it reaches the instep area, preventing excessive pressure on the foot
Solution Approach 2:
The instep chamber acts as an intermediary between the lacing system and the instep area, receiving and moderating the force from the laces through fluid pressure changes, thereby protecting the instep from direct pressure
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
Enhances support and comfort by dynamically adjusting to foot movement, reducing excess space, and improving fit without the use of manual or mechanical pumps.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid line connects the bladder chamber and the heel and ankle support chambers... moving the fluid to the heel and ankle support chambers when the footwear is secured to a wearer's foot
Data Source
AI summary
Footwear uppers include a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region. A bladder is engaged with the footwear upper. The bladder includes: (i) at least a first instep chamber engaged with the instep region, (ii) at least a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber. Fluid moving from the first instep chamber to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber (e.g., under force applied by a footwear securing strap) provides further support for the wearer's heel and/or ankle.