Footwear Upper Bladders Using Instep-Driven Heel 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 excess space and enhancing fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional footwear structures are used, then the footwear provides basic coverage and protection, but the footwear lacks dynamic support mechanisms for the heel and ankle areas
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is divided into multiple fluid chambers (heel chamber, ankle chamber, instep chamber) that can independently manage fluid distribution to provide targeted support in different anatomical regions, resolving the contradiction by enabling differentiated support functions without requiring a completely new system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs fluid-filled chambers connected through fluid lines that utilize hydraulic pressure transmission to provide dynamic support. Fluid can be redistributed among chambers based on wearer needs, enabling adjustable support characteristics without mechanical actuators or complex control systems
2Reliability
If fluid chambers are added to provide heel and ankle support, then support and comfort are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fluid chambers and support functions are merged into a single integrated bladder assembly that can be installed as one unit within the footwear upper. This consolidation provides comprehensive heel and ankle support while minimizing the number of separate components and installation steps
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder system serves multiple functions simultaneously: providing heel support, ankle support, and instep support through a single integrated structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate support mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the upper is tightened to eliminate excess space, then fit is improved, but force is applied directly to the wearer's instep causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The instep chamber acts as an intermediary element between the upper and the wearer's instep. When the upper is tightened, the instep chamber absorbs and distributes the applied force through its fluid-filled structure, preventing direct concentration of force on the instep and thereby reducing discomfort while maintaining fit quality
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 support and comfort to the heel and ankle areas by increasing fluid pressure and volume without the use of pumps, improving the overall fit and reducing excess space within the footwear.
Implementation Method 1
fluid lines configured to move fluid to locations to provide support for a wearer's foot, e.g., heel and/or ankle support
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.