Shoe Sizing Panel Integrating Scanner and Heating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe sizing methods are inefficient and do not provide a precise, customizable fit, as they rely on standard sizes that may not accurately match individual foot shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A panel with a built-in scanner and heating element that measures foot size and bonds shoe soles and uppers using a thermal imaging scanner and heating element, allowing for the construction of customized shoes that fit perfectly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard shoe sizes are used, then manufacturing and inventory management are simplified, but the fit accuracy for individual feet deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/measurement-based sizing methods with an optical scanning system. The scanner uses light to capture foot geometry and automatically determines size, eliminating the need for physical measuring tools and manual measurement processes, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a digital optical copy of the foot's sole through scanning. This optical copy is then used to determine precise foot size and shape characteristics, enabling accurate sizing without physical contact or complex mechanical measurement devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If shoes are customized to individual foot measurements, then fit quality improves, but manufacturing time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is pre-positioned within the panel structure, and adhesive is pre-applied to the shoe components. When customization is needed, the system immediately activates the heating element to melt and reposition adhesive, enabling rapid customization without lengthy preparation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the phase transition of adhesive from solid to liquid state through controlled heating. The heating element temporarily melts the adhesive to allow repositioning of shoe components for customization, then the adhesive re-solidifies to bond the components, enabling quick and precise adjustments.
3Ease of manufacture
If adhesive bonding is used for shoe construction, then assembly is simplified, but temperature control and adhesive management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the panel structure, merging the temperature control function with the support surface. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate heating devices and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining adhesive bonding capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the shoe's own adhesive to perform the bonding function. The heating element simply provides the necessary thermal energy to activate the adhesive's natural bonding properties, allowing the adhesive itself to do the work of joining components without requiring additional complex bonding mechanisms.
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
Enables accurate measurement and construction of customized shoes, enhancing the quality of fit and convenience for customers by providing shoes tailored to individual foot measurements.
Implementation Method 1
the scanner emits a measuring signal upwardly from the panel thereby facilitating the scanner to detect the sole of person's foot
Implementation Method 2
the heating element heats the panel when the heating element is turned. Thus, the heating element melts an adhesive between the shoe sole and the shoe upper
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe sizing assembly for measuring and constructing custom shoe sizes includes a panel that is positionable on a support surface for having a person's foot placed thereon. A scanner is coupled to the panel and the scanner emits a measuring signal upwardly from the panel thereby facilitating the scanner to detect the sole of person's foot. In this way the scanner measures the size of the person's foot. A heating element is coupled to the panel and the heating element heats the panel when the heating element is turned. Thus, the heating element melts an adhesive between the shoe sole and the shoe upper for bonding the shoe sole to the shoe upper.