Automated Shoe Girth Measurement Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The shoe manufacturing process lacks an efficient and accurate method to measure the interior girth of shoes, leading to production errors and irregular sizes, which can result in inconsistent fit and quality.
Innovation Solution
A girth measurement device that includes a measuring module with a rotary motor-driven measurement ribbon, which expands to contact the interior of the shoe and senses resistance to determine the girth measurement, using angular position information to calculate the shoe's size, and is controlled by a computer to ensure consistency with a standard girth measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual evaluation of shoe samples is used to assess fit, then the evaluation process is simple and quick, but the measurement accuracy and consistency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual evaluation with an automated measurement system that uses a motor-driven ribbon to mechanically measure the interior girth of shoes. The motorized actuator expands the ribbon to contact the shoe interior and automatically detects the girth measurement, eliminating the need for manual visual assessment and providing precise, consistent measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is designed to automatically perform the entire measurement process without human intervention. The motor actuator self-regulates the expansion of the measurement ribbon, the system automatically detects when the ribbon contacts the shoe interior, and the girth measurement is automatically recorded and compared against standards, making the system self-sufficient.
2Productivity
If manual fit testing is performed on shoe samples, then some fit information can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and lacks efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system enables continuous measurement of multiple shoe samples without interruption. The motorized actuator can rapidly expand and retract the measurement ribbon, allowing successive measurements to be taken in quick succession, thereby increasing productivity and reducing the time required for fit evaluation of multiple samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system rapidly completes the measurement process by quickly expanding the ribbon to contact the shoe interior, detecting the measurement point, and recording the data. This rapid measurement cycle eliminates the time-consuming nature of manual fit testing and allows for quick assessment of multiple shoe samples.
3Manufacturing precision
If shoe production proceeds without automated girth measurement, then the production process is simpler and faster, but production errors and size irregularities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system provides feedback by automatically comparing the measured girth of produced shoes against predetermined size standards. When deviations are detected, the system can signal for adjustment in the production process, ensuring that size consistency is maintained without significantly impacting production throughput. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time quality control.
4Reliability
If a comprehensive measurement system is implemented to ensure quality, then measurement accuracy improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is designed to be universal and adaptable to different shoe types and sizes. The motorized actuator and measurement ribbon can accommodate various shoe geometries, and the system can measure different girth locations. This multi-functionality increases measurement reliability across diverse shoe products while avoiding the need for multiple specialized measurement devices, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
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 device provides quick and accurate girth measurements, ensuring consistency across produced shoes by comparing sample measurements with a standard, thereby improving fit and quality control.
Implementation Method 1
moving a measurement ribbon associated with the measuring module from a retracted position to an expanded position by a rotary motor
Implementation Method 2
sensing contact of the measurement ribbon with the sample article of footwear to obtain a sample girth measurement; sensing a resistance of the rotary motor
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making an article of footwear includes obtaining a girth measurement of the article of footwear. The girth measurement device includes an expandable and retractable ribbon. The girth measurement device may be used to measure samples from a production run to ensure consistency of the run with a standard. The girth measurement device may also be used to measure an article of footwear post-production to determine an accurate size.