Variable Rigidity Footwear Sole via Vacuum Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear fails to adequately address the variability in user morphological characteristics and terrain conditions due to compromised designs, and existing solutions with inflatable devices or removable inserts are unreliable in modifying sole rigidity effectively.
Innovation Solution
The footwear features a sole with integral plugs or ribs and a vacuum chamber system that includes a stiffening strut, allowing for adjustable rigidity through a pump-controlled vacuum, which modifies the compression and adhesion between the sole, midsole, and stiffening strut, enhancing both flexural and torsional rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional footwear uses compromised designs to mediate all requirements, then the footwear can be used for various terrains and users, but the rigidity cannot be adequately adjusted for specific conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a variable rigidity sole that can dynamically adjust its mechanical properties in real-time. The sole transitions from a static, fixed-rigidity structure to a dynamic system where rigidity can be modified during use through inflation/deflation mechanisms, allowing adaptation to different terrains and user needs without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the physical state of the sole through pressure control. By changing the inflation pressure of internal chambers or elements within the sole, the rigidity, cushioning, and support characteristics are adjusted. This allows the same footwear to reliably provide appropriate rigidity for various terrains (snow, ice, rock, mud) and different user morphologies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inflatable devices or removable inserts are used to modify sole rigidity, then the rigidity can be adjusted, but the reliability and effectiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inflation mechanism with the sole structure itself, integrating the rigidity modification function directly into the footwear rather than using separate removable inserts. The inflatable chambers are incorporated within the sole layers, creating a unified system where the sole structure and adjustment mechanism work together reliably, eliminating the problems of loose fits and ineffective rigidity modification associated with removable inserts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatics by employing inflatable chambers or air-filled elements within the sole structure. By controlling the air pressure within these chambers, the rigidity and mechanical properties of the sole are adjusted. This pneumatic system provides reliable and effective rigidity modification, overcoming the limitations of traditional inflatable devices that fail to adequately modify sole characteristics.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sole has fixed rigidity, then the manufacturing is simple, but it cannot adapt to different user morphologies and terrain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sole into multiple functional layers and inflatable chambers. The sole structure is segmented into an upper layer, lower layer, and intermediate elements, with inflatable chambers distributed within these layers. This segmentation allows the complex variable rigidity function to be achieved through modular components that can be manufactured separately and assembled, maintaining ease of manufacture while enabling adaptability.
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
This solution effectively and reliably modifies the sole's rigidity to suit different user needs and terrain conditions, improving both the footwear's stability and cushioning by varying the compression and friction between components.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum chamber system that includes a stiffening strut, allowing for adjustable rigidity through a pump-controlled vacuum
Implementation Method 2
The plugs or ribs are integral with the sole and extend along transverse directions which are perpendicular to a prevailing longitudinal axis of the sole
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
Footwear (4) of variable rigidity, comprising: - a sole (8) having a tread (12) and an upper face (16) opposite the tread (12), - an upper (20), - a midsole (24), sandwiched between the upper (20) and the sole (8), - a stiffening strut (36), placed between an upper face (28) of the midsole (24), opposite the upper (20), and said upper face (16) of the sole (8), inside a watertight vacuum chamber (40) delimited between the midsole (24) and the sole (8), - the footwear (4) being provided with a pump (44) configured to create a variable depression inside said vacuum chamber (40).