Malleolus-Fit Shoe Shell With 3D Mesh and Rigid Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoes with flexible shells struggle to maintain both stationary and dynamic fit, particularly at the position behind the medial and lateral malleoli, leading to potential shoe displacement during high-strength exercises.
Innovation Solution
A shoe design featuring a shell with a bulging portion made of a three-dimensional mesh structure and a highly rigid portion, both integrated as a single member, to enhance fit and stability at the malleoli region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion substantially matches the shape of the peripheral surface of the foot to improve stationary fit, then the stationary fit is improved, but the dynamic fit deteriorates because the shell cannot deform sufficiently during foot movement
Solution Approach 1:
The shell incorporates regions with different rigidity characteristics: a highly rigid portion at the lower peripheral wall for structural support and a bulging portion with easy-deformable three-dimensional mesh structure at the malleoli region for adaptive deformation during foot movement, while maintaining overall shape conformity for stationary fit
Solution Approach 2:
The shell combines materials or structures with different mechanical properties - a highly rigid portion for structural integrity and a three-dimensional mesh structure portion for flexibility and deformation capability, creating a composite structure that achieves both stationary and dynamic fit
2Strength
If the shell is made highly rigid to maintain shape and provide support, then the stationary fit and support are improved, but the dynamic fit deteriorates because the shell cannot deform in response to foot bending motion
Solution Approach 1:
The shell has spatially varying rigidity: a highly rigid portion for structural support and a bulging portion with easy-deformable three-dimensional mesh structure that can deform during foot movement, allowing the shell to maintain shape where needed while adapting where required
Solution Approach 2:
The shell transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure where the bulging portion with three-dimensional mesh structure can deform in response to foot movement, enabling the shell to adapt its rigidity based on operational conditions
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shell is made completely flexible to allow deformation during foot movement, then the dynamic fit is improved, but the stationary fit deteriorates because the shell cannot maintain appropriate pressure on the foot
Solution Approach 1:
The shell incorporates a highly rigid portion for maintaining structural integrity and pressure application during stationary periods, while the bulging portion with easy-deformable three-dimensional mesh structure provides flexibility during movement, achieving both stationary and dynamic fit
4Ease of manufacture
If the shell structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to provide both stationary and dynamic fit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is divided into functionally distinct portions: a highly rigid portion for structural support and a bulging portion with three-dimensional mesh structure for adaptive deformation, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The shell utilizes changes in structural parameters - transitioning from a highly rigid structure to a three-dimensional mesh structure with different geometric parameters - to achieve varying mechanical properties without requiring completely different manufacturing processes
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
Improves both stationary and dynamic fit by providing enhanced support and flexibility, reducing the likelihood of shoe displacement during high-strength activities.
Implementation Method 1
an easy-deformable portion configured of a three-dimensional mesh structure body
Implementation Method 2
a highly rigid portion, which is a hard-deformable portion having higher rigidity than the easy-deformable portion
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe includes a shell made of an elastic material, the shell including a bottom wall portion and a peripheral wall portion. A bulging portion, which bulges toward an insertion space configured to receive a foot of a wearer and includes an easy-deformable portion configured of a three-dimensional mesh structure body, is provided at a position of the peripheral wall portion corresponding to at least one of a portion behind a medial malleolus point of the wearer's foot and a portion behind a lateral malleolus point of the wearer's foot. A highly rigid portion is provided at a position of the peripheral wall portion lower than a portion of the peripheral wall portion provided with the bulging portion. At least a portion of the peripheral wall portion including the bulging portion and the highly rigid portion is configured of a single member.