Thermographic Measuring Tool for Foot Shape Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the fit of clothing and shoes are inadequate, particularly in online shopping, as they fail to account for individual body proportions and foot shapes, leading to poor fit and high return rates due to the lack of accurate sizing and material properties consideration.
Innovation Solution
A thermographic measuring tool with a three-layer structure, comprising a support element, a covering element, and a cavity, designed for easy insertion into clothing or shoes, uses a heat-carrying medium to simulate body deformation and measure interior dimensions accurately, accounting for material properties and individual shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional sizing systems are used for online clothing sales, then manufacturing and distribution are simplified, but fit accuracy deteriorates leading to high return rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital 3D copy of the customer's body by scanning their foot using a portable measuring device. This digital model captures precise anthropometric data including length, width, and contour characteristics. The digital footprint is then compared against digital models of different shoe sizes and styles to identify the best fit, eliminating the need for physical try-ons while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement methods (physical tape measures, manual foot tracing) with optical scanning technology. The system uses cameras and image processing algorithms to capture and analyze foot geometry, transforming physical measurement into a digital process that can be performed remotely and automatically compared with product specifications.
2Ease of operation
If portable measuring devices are made simple for easy insertion, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device incorporates flexible components that can dynamically adapt to the shoe's interior geometry. The device includes flexible arms or probes that bend and conform to curved surfaces, allowing it to navigate tight spaces and complex shapes while maintaining contact with the shoe interior for accurate measurement. This dynamic flexibility enables both easy insertion and precise measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible measurement elements such as thin-walled probes or membrane-based sensors that can easily deform to fit within the shoe interior. These flexible components maintain their sensing capabilities while adapting to the confined and irregular space, enabling accurate capture of interior dimensions without requiring complex insertion 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
The tool provides a simple, cost-effective, and accurate method for measuring interior spaces, reducing return rates by ensuring a better fit and enhancing user experience through precise data collection.
Implementation Method 1
uses a heat-carrying medium to simulate body deformation and measure interior dimensions accurately
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a measuring instrument which can thermographically measure the inner area of items to be worn. Said measuring instrument is multi-layered and comprises at least one support element, a cover element and a hollow chamber into which a heat transfer medium can be introduced.