Vamp Overlay Structure for Snug Fit Without Foot Irritation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear often fails to provide a snug fitting feel while balancing comfort and weight, particularly in athletic shoes where the interaction with equipment and ground surfaces is critical, leading to discomfort and potential irritation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an asymmetrical heel seam and asymmetrical collar foam to contour the foot, along with a customizable bias to reduce friction and enhance fit, using materials like polyurethane foam and a textured sockliner to secure the foot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If stretchy and malleable materials are used in the shoe upper, then the shoe becomes lighter and more comfortable, but the shoe loses structural support and stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe upper employs different materials in different regions: stretchy knit fabric in areas requiring flexibility and comfort, while incorporating TPU overlays and foam padding in areas requiring structural support and stability. This localized material differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing the shoe to be lightweight overall while maintaining necessary structural integrity in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper combines multiple materials including knit fabric, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), and foam compounds to create a composite structure that integrates both flexibility and structural support properties within a single鞋 component, eliminating the need to choose between lightweight comfort materials and sturdy support materials.
2Ease of operation
If a close-fitting shoe upper is used, then the shoe provides a snug feeling, but the shoe causes discomfort and irritation during prolonged wear
Solution Approach 1:
The collar region incorporates softer, more compliant foam padding and flexible materials specifically at the contact points with the wearer's ankle and foot, while maintaining the close-fitting structure in other areas. This localized softening reduces irritation and discomfort during prolonged wear while preserving the overall snug fit and performance benefits.
3Ease of manufacture
If symmetric heel seam design is used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the shoe does not provide optimal fit and comfort contouring
Solution Approach 1:
The heel seam is designed with asymmetric placement and configuration, positioned to follow the natural contour of the heel and ankle rather than following a symmetric centerline. This asymmetric design provides superior fit and comfort by accommodating the anatomical shape of the foot, while the manufacturing process remains feasible through standardized cutting and assembly procedures for asymmetric components.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear, having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, a medial side and a lateral side opposite the medial side, a fastening system configured to couple the medial side and the lateral side, a sole structure, an upper with layers extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, the upper including a void space configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the layers of the upper further comprising: a vamp overlay, a vamp reinforcer comprising a synthetic suede textile material, and a base vamp lining. In some embodiments, the upper may additionally comprise a vamp lining disposed on top of the vamp reinforcer and a vamp disposed between the vamp lining and the vamp overlay. The vamp may consist of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material.