Integral Shoe Ankle Support Molding and Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ankle supports in shoes, such as removable inserts, often shift during wear, causing friction and discomfort, and fail to provide secure and consistent support, leading to potential injuries and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A built-in ankle support within the shoe, comprising a semi-rigid support element made of lightweight plastic and a cushioning element, designed to be flexible and moldable to the foot shape, with a U-shaped configuration and bottom tab for secure fixation, providing lateral and medial support while allowing for proper foot alignment and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a removable insert is used for ankle support, then the device can be easily installed and removed, but it may separate from the fastening strips during wear and shift within the shoe, requiring frequent readjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle support is merged with the shoe structure by integrating it into the shoe counter and heel area, making it a permanent built-in component rather than a removable insert. This eliminates the problem of separation and shifting during wear while maintaining continuous support.
Solution Approach 2:
The ankle support is nested within the shoe structure, specifically integrated into the counter and heel area, allowing it to be securely positioned within the existing shoe architecture. This nesting ensures the support remains fixed during wear.
2Ease of operation
If a removable insert is used for ankle support, then the device can be easily installed and removed, but the shifting of the removable insert may create friction that might lead to callouses on the foot and ankle
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle support is merged with the shoe structure as a built-in component, eliminating relative motion between the support and the foot. This prevents friction-induced discomfort and callouses that occur with removable inserts.
3Strength
If the support element is made rigid to provide ankle support, then the requisite degree of ankle support is provided, but it may not be flexible enough to mold to the shape of the wearer's foot
Solution Approach 1:
The support element exhibits different mechanical properties in different regions: the counter and heel area provide rigid structural support, while the insole interface area provides flexibility and cushioning. This local differentiation allows simultaneous rigidity for support and flexibility for comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The ankle support uses composite construction combining rigid materials (for structural support in the counter and heel) with flexible materials (for the insole interface and cushioning). This composite approach enables both rigidity and flexibility in the same component.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the support element is made flexible to mold to the foot shape, then comfort is improved, but it may not be structurally strong enough to provide the requisite amount of ankle support
Solution Approach 1:
The support element has differentiated local properties where rigid sections provide structural support in the counter and heel area, while flexible sections provide comfort at the insole interface. This resolves the contradiction between overall flexibility and localized rigidity.
5Reliability
If an ankle support is built into the shoe structure, then it remains securely fixed in place during wear, but it adds complexity to the shoe manufacturing process
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle support is merged with the shoe counter and heel structure as an integrated component, eliminating the need for separate attachment mechanisms. This integration simplifies manufacturing compared to assembling separate components while ensuring secure fixation.
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 ankle support enhances stability and performance by maintaining proper foot alignment, reducing the risk of injuries, and increasing the tensile strength of ankle ligaments, while being comfortable and securely fixed in place during wear.
Implementation Method 1
The support element is constructed of lightweight plastic that while in general is rigid enough to provide the requisite degree of ankle support, but is still flexible enough at body temperature to be moldable to the shape of the wearer's foot
Data Source
AI summary
An integral ankle support for a shoe has a support element and a cushioning element. The support element has horizontally elongated, generally parallel, and panel-like edge upstanding wings having corresponding front and rear ends joined at their rear ends by an integral, curved, and edge upstanding bight panel portion. The support element is constructed of semi-rigid, but partially flexible, material that is lightweight and moldable. The support element has a bottom tab that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the wings and that extends inwardly under the insole of the shoe. The ankle cushioning element is located on the inner surfaces of the rear ends of the wings and the central portion of the lower margin of the bight panel portion. The ankle support is incorporated as part of the internal structure of the shoe so as to remain fixed in place and provide enhanced support to the wearer's foot.