Rotatable Heel Insert Insole for Adjustable Support and Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear insoles lack adjustable configurations for varying user needs, particularly in providing customizable structural support and cushioning properties.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable insole with a removable heel bottom insert that can be rotated within a heel cavity to switch between a nominal and cushioned configuration, utilizing geometric features for engagement with the insole body to alter support characteristics and cushioning properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed insole design is used, then manufacturing costs are minimized and simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying user needs and adjustable support configurations are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The insole is divided into multiple functional segments: an insole body and a separate heel bottom insert that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the heel insert to be rotated between a nominal position (providing structural support) and a cushioned position (providing cushioning), enabling adaptability without requiring a completely different insole design for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The heel bottom insert is designed with rotational capability, transforming it from a static component to a dynamic one. The insert can be rotated between at least two distinct positions (nominal and cushioned), allowing the insole to dynamically adjust its support characteristics based on user needs, thereby achieving versatility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple insole types are manufactured to meet different user needs, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but manufacturing costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insole design integrates multiple functions into a single product: the heel bottom insert can provide either structural support or cushioning depending on its rotational position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to manufacture and inventory multiple different insole types, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to meet varying user needs through a single adjustable device.
3Ease of operation
If a removable heel insert with rotation capability is added, then adaptability and user comfort are improved, but device complexity and potential reliability issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heel bottom insert and insole body incorporate asymmetric geometric engagement features (such as asymmetric protrusions and corresponding recesses) that ensure the insert can only be rotated into specific predetermined positions. This asymmetric design provides tactile and mechanical feedback to the user, confirming proper engagement, and prevents improper positioning that could compromise reliability, while still allowing easy adjustment between the nominal and cushioned configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are directed to an adjustable insole for a footwear article. In various embodiments, the adjustable insole comprises an insole body comprising a heel bottom cavity defined by a cavity opening provided along an insole body bottom surface; and a removeable heel bottom insert configured to be disposed within the heel bottom cavity such that a first insert portion is disposed within the heel bottom cavity and a second insert portion defines a lowermost surface of the adjustable insole, the removeable heel bottom insert having a selectively adjustable configuration relative to the insole body that is defined by an arrangement of the removeable heel bottom insert within the heel bottom cavity in one of a nominal position and a rotated position defined relative to the nominal position by a rotation of the removeable heel bottom insert through an angle of rotation of at least approximately 90 degrees.