Inflatable Shoe Air Pad with Carbon Fiber Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inflatable air pads in shoes deform during inflation, creating a small protruded area that can cause discomfort and injury, especially during long-distance running, as the foot frequently contacts this deformation area, leading to potential injury and unbalance.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable air pad design featuring a front pad with an inflatable support portion, a resilient support section, and a carbon-fiber plate that restricts deformation, combined with a rear pad and a tube connected to inflation and release valves, to manage pressure and reduce foot contact with the deformation area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air cell is made of soft material to provide comfort, then the air cell can be inflated to absorb shocks, but the soft material causes deformation that creates a protruded portion contacting the foot
Solution Approach 1:
The air cell is divided into multiple independent air chambers (first air chamber, second air chamber, third air chamber) separated by partition walls. This segmentation prevents localized deformation from affecting the entire structure and distributes the shock absorption function across multiple smaller units, reducing the protrusion problem while maintaining overall softness and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The air cell structure combines soft flexible material for the chamber walls with rigid support elements (carbon fiber plate, TPU bumper, partition walls) to create a composite structure. The soft material provides shock absorption while the rigid components constrain deformation and prevent harmful protrusions, resolving the contradiction between softness and structural stability.
2Strength
If the air cell is inflated to provide support, then shock absorption is improved, but the deformation area becomes a protruded portion that causes unbalance during running
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple air chambers provide distributed support across different areas of the foot (heel, midfoot, forefoot). Each chamber can be independently inflated to provide localized support where needed, while the segmentation prevents any single deformation point from compromising overall foot stability during running.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbon fiber plate and TPU bumper act as intermediary elements between the inflated air cell and the foot. These components mediate the interaction by distributing pressure evenly and preventing direct contact with deformed areas, thereby maintaining foot stability while preserving the support benefits of inflation.
3Ease of operation
If the air cell uses soft material for comfort, then the air cell can be deformed to accommodate foot shape, but the deformation creates a small area that frequently contacts the foot causing injury
Solution Approach 1:
The air cell is segmented into multiple chambers that can independently conform to different parts of the foot anatomy. This segmentation allows the soft material to accommodate foot shape while distributing the deformation across multiple small chambers rather than creating one large protruding deformation area, reducing repetitive contact points and potential injury risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The air cell chambers use flexible material that can conform to the foot's shape for comfort, while the thin film structure of multiple small chambers prevents the formation of large rigid protrusions. The flexibility is maintained at the material level while the overall structure remains compliant through segmentation, avoiding harmful deformation contact.
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
The solution provides enhanced comfort and protection by minimizing foot contact with the deformation area, allowing for improved performance during long-distance running by distributing pressure effectively and preventing injuries.
Implementation Method 1
the front pad includes an inflatable support portion and a resilient support section
Implementation Method 2
The plate restricts the deformation area on the inflatable support portion to deform the insole
Implementation Method 3
The resilient support section has multiple buffering portions
Implementation Method 4
The tube is connected with an inflation valve and a release valve, wherein the inflation valve inflates the front and rear pads
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe includes an outsole having a room defined in the top thereof. A vamp is connected to the peripheral wall of the room. An air pad and an insole are located in the room. The air pad includes a front pad and a rear pad. A tube is connected between the front and rear pads. The front pad includes an inflatable support portion and a resilient support section which is located at the front portion of the front pad. The resilient support section has multiple buffering portions. A plate is located on the front pad and between the inflatable support portion and the insole. The plate restricts the deformation area on the inflatable support portion to deform the insole.