Lace-Driven Footwear Upper Bladders for Heel and Ankle Fit
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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 pumps, and existing bladders in footwear do not efficiently distribute fluid for enhanced support and fit.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of bladder chambers and fluid lines within footwear uppers that move fluid from the instep or tongue area to heel and ankle support areas, utilizing lace-engaging components to apply force and distribute fluid without pumps, and the use of thermoplastic sheets sealed to form chambers and fluid lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional footwear structures are used, then the footwear is simple in structure, but the footwear lacks dynamic support and comfort for heel and ankle areas
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is divided into multiple chambers: a first chamber at the instep area and a second chamber at the heel area, with fluid lines connecting them. This segmentation allows independent volume control in different regions to provide targeted support where needed while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder chambers and fluid lines are integrated within the footwear upper structure, with the bladder nested inside the upper and fluid lines routing through the upper's interior. This nesting approach provides dynamic support functionality without adding external components or significantly increasing overall footwear complexity.
2Reliability
If fluid is moved to heel and ankle areas for support, then support and fit are improved, but the system requires pumps which increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the wearer's own foot movements and the existing lacing system to drive fluid movement. When the wearer tightens the laces or moves their foot, pressure is applied to the instep chamber, automatically pushing fluid through the fluid line to the heel chamber. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external pumps or power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fluid pressure transmission through the fluid line connecting the instep and heel chambers. By applying pressure to the fluid in the instep chamber (through lacing or foot movement), the pressure is transmitted hydraulically to the heel chamber, causing fluid displacement and volume increase for support without mechanical pumping components.
3Reliability
If bladder chambers are used to distribute fluid, then fit and comfort are enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder chambers are constructed from flexible materials that can be molded into the desired chamber configurations and then integrated into the footwear upper. This flexible shell approach allows the bladder to conform to the foot's shape and the upper's structure, providing custom fit and comfort while using standard flexible material manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The footwear upper combines multiple materials including the flexible bladder material, fluid line material, and upper construction materials. This composite material approach allows each component to be manufactured using its optimal process and then assembled, balancing fit and comfort enhancement with manufacturing efficiency.
4Reliability
If fluid volume is increased in heel area, then excess space is eliminated and support is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid-filled bladder system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides cushioning in the instep area, transmits pressure to deliver support to the heel area, and adjusts volume to eliminate excess space. This multi-functionality is achieved through the interconnected chamber design where a single fluid system performs multiple support roles, reducing the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
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
Provides enhanced support and comfort to the heel and ankle areas by increasing fluid volume and pressure, improving fit and eliminating excess space, while maintaining a closed fluid system without mechanical pumps.
Implementation Method 1
one or more lace-engaging components for engaging a shoelace... a shoelace that applies force to a major surface of one or more of the bladder chambers to move fluid from the bladder chamber(s)
Implementation Method 2
the use of thermoplastic sheets sealed to form chambers and fluid lines
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A footwear upper includes a footwear upper base (102) formed from one or more component parts and includes an instep region (102T) defining an instep opening (102IO). This instep opening (102IO) includes: (a) a first side edge (102L) having a plurality of first side lace-engaging openings (102O) defined therethrough and (b) a second side edge (102M) having a plurality of second side lace-engaging openings (102O) defined therethrough. A bladder (200) extends across the instep opening (102IO) from the first side edge (102L) to the second side edge (102M). This bladder (200) includes: (i) a first tongue and/or instep chamber (200T), (ii) a first sealed seam region (200L) located at the first side edge (102L), and (iii) a second sealed seam region (200M) located at the second side edge (102M). The first tongue and/or instep chamber (200T) extends between the first sealed seam region (200L) and the second sealed seam region (200M). The first sealed seam region (200L) includes a first lace-engaging opening (202O). This first sealed seam region (200L) overlaps with the first side edge (102L) of the footwear upper base (102) such that at least a portion of the first lace-engaging opening (202O) aligns in an axial direction with at least a portion of one of the openings (102O) of the plurality of first side lace-engaging openings (102O). A lace (108) may extend through axially aligned portions of the first lace-engaging opening (202O) and its corresponding opening (102O) of the plurality of first side lace-engaging openings (102O).