Shoe Upper Diagonal Bend Structure for Foot Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe upper designs for on-court sports struggle to balance holding the front foot portion while maintaining foot-fitting properties and minimizing compressive feel when bent.
Innovation Solution
A shoe upper structure featuring a low rigidity region that is more stretchable and bendable than a high rigidity region, with specific flexible portions and reinforcement elements that conform to the foot's movement, allowing for effective bending and support during activities like tennis, volleyball, and basketball.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the upper skin is made with high rigidity material to hold the front foot portion, then the holding strength is improved, but the foot-fitting property deteriorates causing large rucks and local toe compression
Solution Approach 1:
The upper is divided into multiple regions with different rigidity characteristics: a high rigidity region (AH) for holding strength, a low rigidity region (AL) for foot-fitting, and intermediate rigidity regions. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper combines multiple materials with different rigidity properties: a base material forming the low rigidity region, and reinforcement materials (artificial leather, synthetic leather, or belts) forming the high rigidity region. This composite structure achieves both holding strength and foot-fitting property simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the upper skin is made non-stretchable to prevent foot injuries during rapid movements, then the protective function is improved, but the conformability to foot shape deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the upper have different stretchability characteristics tailored to their functional requirements. The low rigidity region AL is more stretchable to conform to foot shape changes, while the high rigidity region AH is less stretchable to provide protective support during rapid movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper is segmented into functional zones with distinct material properties. The reinforcement portions are strategically placed to provide protection where needed, while leaving other areas flexible for conformability, resolving the contradiction between protection and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A low rigidity region being more stretchable and bendable than a high rigidity region, includes a main portion, and a medial first flexible portion and a lateral first flexible portion extending from the main portion in the medial and lateral directions. The main portion covers a portion of the area from the shaft of the first proximal phalanx to the shaft of the second proximal phalanx, the medial first flexible portion covers a portion of the area from the shaft of the first proximal phalanx to the head of the first metatarsal bone, and the lateral first flexible portion extends to the lateral side of the foot from the main portion. When pushing off the foot onto the medial/lateral side in a diagonally forward direction, the upper bends along the diagonal bend lines. Therefore, the diagonal portions and the main portion serve as the bend lines.