Shoe Wedge Grinding with Temporary Insert

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional footwear manufacturing techniques often damage decorative or textured inserts during the grinding process, limiting the types of wedges and shoe designs that can be produced, and are not feasible for mass production due to increased costs and production inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A temporary insert is used during the grinding process, which is then replaced with a permanent insert, allowing for the production of shoes with decorative or textured wedges without damaging the permanent insert, and enabling more varied and cost-effective shoe designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a permanent decorative insert is used during the grinding process, then the shoe can be produced with decorative surfaces, but the insert will be damaged or obliterated by the grinding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to produce decorative insertsVSAvoidintegrity of insert surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The process is divided into two distinct phases: first, a temporary insert is used during grinding to establish the shoe's structural shape; second, the permanent decorative insert is added after grinding is complete. This segmentation allows each insert to serve its specific function without interference from the grinding process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The temporary insert is placed in the shoe before the grinding process begins, serving as a placeholder that protects the shoe's structural integrity during manufacturing. After grinding is complete, the temporary insert is removed and the permanent decorative insert is added, ensuring the decorative surface is not exposed to grinding damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Shape

If the grinding process is performed to smooth sole layers, then the shoe sole achieves a uniform appearance, but decorative inserts are damaged in the process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform appearance of soleVSAvoidvariety of decorative insert designs

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A temporary insert acts as an intermediary element during the grinding process. It occupies the space where the permanent decorative insert will eventually be placed, allowing the grinding process to proceed without damaging any decorative surfaces. The temporary insert is removed after grinding, making way for the permanent decorative insert.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional grinding techniques are used without temporary inserts, then production is simpler, but decorative inserts cannot be produced and quality is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of production processVSAvoidability to produce varied shoe designs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The temporary insert is designed as a disposable, low-cost component that is discarded after serving its purpose during the grinding process. It does not need to be permanent or expensive, only functional enough to maintain the shoe's structural shape during manufacturing. This approach adds minimal complexity while enabling significant design versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10842227B1High-heeled shoe with thickening cushion

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 DYNASTY FOOTWEAR

AI summary

A high-heeled shoe includes a heel component which significantly elevates a rear portion of the shoe, a sole having a layer of material disposed above the heel component, and an upper extending above the sole. The top surface of the layer of material is inclined upwardly from the front or middle portion of the shoe to the rear of the shoe. The layer of material increases in thickness at the rear portion of the shoe, providing substantially more cushioning at such rear portion.