Foot Support Bladder Pressure Control Using Manifold and Valve Stems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear lacks an efficient system for dynamically controlling foot support pressure, which can lead to discomfort and inadequate support during various activities.
Innovation Solution
The development of a fluid flow control system integrated into footwear, utilizing a manifold, valve stem, or solenoid-based mechanisms to manage fluid pressure within bladders and containers, allowing for adjustable foot support pressure through various operational states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional footwear is used without fluid control systems, then the device complexity is low, but the foot support pressure cannot be dynamically adjusted leading to discomfort and inadequate support
Solution Approach 1:
The foot support system is divided into multiple independent bladders (heel bladder, midfoot bladder, forefoot bladder) that can be controlled separately. Each bladder can be inflated or deflated independently to provide localized pressure adjustment across different regions of the foot, enabling dynamic adaptation to various activities and foot conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static footwear structure to dynamic pressure control by incorporating movable valve stems with multiple positions. The valve stem can be rotated to different angular positions (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) to selectively connect fluid pathways, enabling real-time adjustment of pressure in different bladder regions during use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fluid distribution mechanisms are added to enable pressure adjustment, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve stems are integrated into a single manifold structure that consolidates fluid distribution pathways. The manifold combines several valve assemblies sharing common fluid inlet and outlet connections, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall fluid control architecture while maintaining the ability to control multiple bladders independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve stem design incorporates multiple functional positions within a single component. Each valve stem can direct fluid flow to different destinations (inflate specific bladder, deflate specific bladder, or bypass) based on its rotational position, allowing one component to perform multiple pressure control functions rather than requiring separate valves for each function.
3Ease of operation
If multiple fluid pathways are created for selective distribution, then the ease of operation improves for pressure control, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold acts as an intermediary component that centralizes fluid distribution control. Instead of having direct connections from each valve to each bladder, the manifold provides a hub-and-spoke architecture where fluid flows through the central manifold structure to reach target bladders, simplifying the pathway network and making the system easier to control through a unified interface.
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
This system enables dynamic adjustment of foot support pressure, enhancing comfort and support during different activities by selectively distributing fluid within the footwear, thereby improving overall performance and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
fluid flow control system...manage fluid pressure within bladders and containers...selectively distributing fluid within the footwear
Data Source
AI summary
Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). Aspects of this technology may relate to one or more of: (a) footwear structures in which such systems are incorporated; (b) valve stem based fluid flow transfer systems; (c) solenoid based fluid flow transfer systems; (d) user input button features; (e) air filter features; (f) fluid tube to fluid distributor connection features; (g) fluid distributor to footwear connection features; (h) valve position sensor features; (i) valve transmission features; (j) pressure control algorithm features; (k) electronic communication features; (l) system sealing features; and/or (m) pressure sensor mounting features.