Sock Notch Design for Pressure Relief and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional socks often cause indentations, swelling, and discomfort due to pressure from the open end and band, which can be exacerbated by factors such as prolonged standing, being overweight, or health conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sock design featuring at least one notch in the open end, such as in the band, which expands to accommodate the user's body, reducing pressure and discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a band is added at the open end of the sock to hold it in position, then the sock's ability to stay in place is improved, but pressure on the user's body increases causing indentations and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The band is segmented by introducing notches that divide the continuous band structure into sections. This segmentation allows the band to maintain its holding function while creating relief zones that reduce continuous pressure on the user's body, thereby preventing indentations and discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The notches create localized variations in the band's structure, concentrating flexibility and relief at specific points while maintaining securing capability in other areas. This local quality change allows the band to adapt to body contours without applying uniform pressure, reducing harmful indentations.
2Reliability
If the open end and band are designed to hold the sock securely, then the sock remains in position, but swelling and discomfort are caused due to continuous pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous band is divided into segments by notches, which interrupt the pressure distribution. This allows the sock to remain securely positioned while the notched regions provide relief from continuous compression, preventing swelling and discomfort that would result from unbroken pressure zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the band completely continuous to maximize holding power, the design inverts the approach by strategically removing material (creating notches) to achieve better comfort while maintaining adequate security. The notches prevent excessive pressure accumulation while the remaining band structure provides sufficient holding force.
Data Source
AI summary
A sock for improving comfort for a user is provided. The sock includes a foot area having a closed end, an open end opposite the closed end, and a notch extending from an edge of the open end of the sock toward the closed end. When a part of a user's body is inserted into the sock, the notch is configured to expand from a first state, in which edges of the notch are at a first angle with respect to each other, to a second state, in which the edges of the notch are at a second angle with respect to each other, wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle.