Movable Heel Support for Customizable Sports Shoe Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoes, particularly sports shoes, often fail to provide a snug fit for the heel due to limited size, width, and shape options, leading to discomfort and potential blisters, as the heel can slip inside the shoe despite tightening mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A shoe design featuring a movable heel element that overlaps with the upper, allowing adjustment by pulling on the lace, which can envelop the heel and adapt to individual foot shapes and sizes, providing a customizable fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fastening mechanisms (laces, straps, hook-and-loop fasteners) are used to tighten the upper, then the instep portion or dorsum of the foot can be secured, but the heel of the foot remains insufficiently secured and may still slip inside the shoe
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe upper is divided into separate functional zones: a main upper body and a distinct heel counter assembly. The heel counter can independently move relative to the upper, allowing separate adjustment and securing of the heel region from the instep region. This segmentation enables the heel to be addressed specifically rather than being dependent on general upper tightening.
Solution Approach 2:
The heel counter is designed with movable capability relative to the upper, transitioning from a static to dynamic structure. This movement allows the heel counter to adapt to the foot's shape and provide customized heel support, ensuring the heel remains secured during various foot movements while the upper maintains its tightening function.
2Productivity
If industrially manufactured shoes are produced in limited sizes, widths, and shapes, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the fit for individual feet cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The movable heel counter allows the shoe to adapt dynamically to different foot shapes and sizes within the same manufactured model. This dynamic adjustment capability provides customization without requiring multiple manufactured sizes or widths, maintaining manufacturing efficiency while improving fit adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heel counter's position and orientation can be adjusted by the wearer to change the fit parameters of the shoe. This allows individuals to optimize the heel support and overall fit according to their specific foot characteristics, effectively providing customization within standardized manufacturing parameters.
3Ease of operation
If the heel slips inside the shoe, then the shoe may perceive as loose despite fastening mechanism pressure, but this causes discomfort and friction leading to blisters
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potential harm of heel slippage into benefit by using the movable heel counter to actively engage with and secure the heel. The heel counter's movement allows it to adapt to the heel's position and apply securing pressure, transforming what would be harmful slippage into beneficial heel support and friction reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The heel counter is positioned and configured to preemptively counteract heel slippage before it causes discomfort or blisters. By providing independent heel support through the movable counter, the system prevents the harmful effects of heel movement rather than merely responding to them after they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
Shoes, in particular sports shoes, that comprise an upper and a heel element arranged to at least partially overlap with at least a part of the upper. The heel element is configured to envelop at least a part of a heel of a wearer of the shoe and is movable with respect to the upper. The movable arrangement between the heel element and the upper allows the wearer to adjust the fit of the shoe.