Shoe Upper Eyelet Arrangement for Balanced Fastening Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe designs fail to optimize the fitting property of the upper to the foot through uneven interval settings of eyelets, leading to uneven fastening forces and potential hindrance of foot flexion.
Innovation Solution
A fastening structure for a shoe upper with left and right eyelet rows arranged to satisfy specific average interval relationships, including D1 > D2 < D3, where D1 is the first average interval, D2 is the second average interval, and D3 is the third average interval, to enhance the sum of fastening forces and improve fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If eyelets are arranged evenly spaced, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fastening force distribution becomes uneven and fitting property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging eyelets at different intervals on the left and right sides of the shoe. Specifically, the interval between adjacent eyelets on one side is made different from the corresponding interval on the other side, creating an asymmetric pattern that generates balanced fastening forces. This asymmetric arrangement allows the shoe to fit the foot more effectively while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the eyelet intervals at different locations along the shoe. Instead of using a uniform interval throughout, the design specifies different interval measurements for different pairs of eyelets (e.g., first interval D1, second interval D2, third interval D3), allowing each local region to contribute optimally to the overall fastening force distribution and foot fit.
2Force
If the number of eyelets is increased to improve fastening force, then the sum of fastening forces increases, but the lacing operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of eyelet arrangement by specifying particular interval relationships (D1 > D2 < D3) rather than using equal intervals. This parameter optimization allows the design to achieve sufficient fastening force with a moderate number of eyelets (typically 4-6 pairs), avoiding the need for excessive eyelets that would complicate lacing operations while still generating adequate total fastening force.
3Force
If eyelet positions are adjusted to make inclination angles more acute, then fastening force increases, but the eyelet arrangement becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric eyelet positioning where the transverse distances from the longitudinal centerline to corresponding eyelets on left and right sides are made different. This asymmetric arrangement naturally creates varied inclination angles for the shoelace segments, optimizing the acute angle components that generate fastening force without requiring complex calculations or adjustments to achieve symmetric optimal angles.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A fastening structure of the present upper includes: an upper that defines a left eyelet row and a right eyelet row arranged along a longitudinal direction of a shoe; and a shoelace inserted through eyelets of the left and right eyelet rows, wherein: the left and right eyelet rows each at least include a first eyelet on a tip side, and a second eyelet, a third eyelet and a fourth eyelet that are arranged in this order from the first eyelet toward a posterior side; D1 is defined as a first average interval between eyelets; D2 is defined as a second average interval; D3 is defined as a third average interval; and Expressions (1) and (10) below are satisfied: D1>D2<D3 1.0*D1+D2>D1>0.55*D1+D2