Lace Fitting Structure for Dynamic Foot Shape Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoe lacing structures fail to accommodate changes in foot shape and posture, leading to poor fit and slippage, especially in the middle foot section, as they do not adequately adjust to the foot's changing circumference during movement.
Innovation Solution
A lace fitting structure with a first shoelace extending longitudinally and engaging with medial and lateral side portions, and a second shoelace engaging transversely to bring these portions closer, with exposed areas allowing displacement to accommodate foot shape changes, ensuring a uniform pressure fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upper is fitted to the foot when standing still, then the fit is good at rest, but the fit deteriorates during movement as the foot shape changes
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing structure uses movable loop members that can shift position along the lace, allowing the upper to dynamically adapt to foot shape changes during movement. The lace system transitions from a static fit to a dynamic adjustment mechanism that maintains uniform pressure distribution as the foot expands or changes posture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the engagement position parameter of the lacing system by allowing the second lace to engage with the first lace at different locations along its length. This parameter adjustment enables the upper to accommodate varying foot circumferences and shapes, transforming the fit from fixed to adjustable.
2Device complexity
If conventional lacing structures are used, then the structure is simple, but the upper does not sufficiently fit the foot in the middle foot section
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing system is segmented into a first lace providing longitudinal tension and a second lace providing transverse engagement. This segmentation allows independent optimization of fit in different directions, with the second lace specifically targeting the middle foot section through its engagement with exposed areas of the first lace.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a transverse dimension to the traditional longitudinal lacing by introducing the second lace that engages perpendicular to the first lace's direction. This dimensional addition provides targeted control over the middle foot section's fit without complicating the overall structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the upper is tightened to prevent slippage, then stability improves, but local tightening occurs causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing structure applies different tension qualities to different regions: the first lace provides distributed longitudinal tension along the entire foot, while the second lace provides localized transverse engagement at the middle foot section. This local quality differentiation prevents concentration of force in one area, avoiding local tightening while maintaining overall stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A lace fitting structure for fitting an upper 3 wrapping around an instep of a foot to the instep, the structure including: a medial side portion 31 covering the instep and a medial side surface of a big toe; a lateral side portion 32 covering the instep and a lateral side surface of a little toe; first shoelace means 1 placed to extend in a longitudinal direction Y of the foot and engaged with the medial side portion 31 and the lateral side portion 32 along central edge portions 33 of the medial side portion 31 and the lateral side portion 32; placement means for placing a portion of the first shoelace means 1 so that the first shoelace means 1 is exposed in a plurality of exposed areas 1i, which are separated from one another in the longitudinal direction Y; and second shoelace means 2 engaging, in a transverse direction X of the foot, with the first shoelace means 1 in the plurality of exposed areas 1i so as to bring the medial side portion 31 and the lateral side portion 32 closer to each other, wherein a length L of the exposed areas 1i in the longitudinal direction Y is greater than a thickness and a width of the second shoelace means 2.