Thin Arch Shell Insole for Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional insoles with thick, bulky arch portions can exacerbate plantar fasciitis pain and are difficult to fit into shoes with existing arch supports, as they provide excessive bulk and stiffness that irritate the inflamed plantar fascia.

Innovation Solution

A thin, contoured arch shell made from stiffer material is integrated into the insole, providing a balance between stiffness and cushioning to alleviate plantar fasciitis pain without increasing bulk, allowing for easier insertion into footwear and reducing arch flattening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If thick, bulky arch portions are used in conventional insoles, then arch support is improved, but foot discomfort and plantar fasciitis pain increase due to excessive bulk and stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearch supportVSAvoidfoot discomfort and plantar fasciitis pain

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using a thin arch shell (no more than 2 mm thick) made of stiffer material than the base layer, which provides necessary arch support without the excessive bulk of conventional thick foam arch portions. The thin shell maintains structural integrity while reducing irritation to the plantar fascia.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining a base layer (softer, cushioning material) with an arch shell (stiffer, supportive material) of different material properties. This composite structure provides both cushioning and arch support in a thin profile, resolving the contradiction between support and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If thick, bulky arch portions are used in conventional insoles, then arch support is improved, but the insole becomes difficult to fit into shoes with built-in arch supports

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearch supportVSAvoidease of insertion into footwear

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The thin arch shell design (no more than 2 mm thick) directly addresses this contradiction by providing sufficient arch support while being thin enough to fit into shoes with built-in arch supports without creating excessive bulk or fitting difficulties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thickness parameter of the arch support structure from conventional thick foam (often exceeding 5-10 mm) to a thin shell (no more than 2 mm), while compensating for the reduced thickness by using stiffer material, thereby maintaining support functionality while improving fitability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If stiffer material is used in the arch portion, then arch support is improved, but plantar fasciitis pain increases due to excessive stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearch supportVSAvoidplantar fasciitis pain

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making only the arch shell (not the entire insole) stiffer than the base layer. The arch shell provides localized stiffness where arch support is needed, while the rest of the insole maintains softer, more compliant material that does not irritate the plantar fascia.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

By combining softer base layer material with stiffer arch shell material, the patent creates a composite structure where the stiffer material is confined to the arch support function, preventing excessive stiffness across the entire insole that would aggravate plantar fasciitis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 insole effectively reduces plantar fasciitis pain by offering sufficient arch support without being overly rigid, allowing for natural foot movement and reducing morning heel pain incidence by 36% over six weeks of use.

Implementation Method 1

A thin, contoured arch shell formed from a stiffer material than the material of the base layer is provided on the bottom of the arch portion of the insole. The stiffness, thinness, and contouring of the arch shell in combination with the cushioning of the base layer provides a balance between stiffness and cushioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStiffness:

Implementation Method 2

The stiffness, thinness, and contouring of the arch shell in combination with the cushioning of the base layer provides a balance between stiffness and cushioning that was unexpectedly discovered to be ideal for alleviating plantar fasciitis pain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCushioning:

Data Source

PatentUS20200029653A1Insole for relieving plantar facsiitis pain

Publication Date: 2020.01.30 SCHOLLS WELLNESS CO LLC

AI summary

An insole for insertion into footwear, including a base layer extending through a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a heel portion of the insole, and an arch shell in the midfoot portion of the insole beneath the base layer, wherein the arch shell has a thickness of no more than 2 mm.