Sole structure with function changing in motion stress direction and footwear product

Abstract

The utility model discloses a sole structure and footwear product of function change in exercise stress direction, the sole structure includes support component and shell, the support component includes the support layer from top to bottom, and the support layer forms the cushioning area on the upper side part of the support component, and the support layer forms the support area on the lower side part of the support component. Wherein the size of the supporting layer in the supporting area in the thickness direction is larger than the size of the supporting layer in the cushioning area in the thickness direction. The sole structure provides functional changes in the thickness direction while maintaining light weight.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of shoe sole technology, specifically to a shoe sole structure and footwear product with functional changes in the direction of motion force. Background Technology

[0002] Footwear products consist of an upper and a sole structure. The upper can be formed from suitable materials to accommodate, secure, and support the foot against the sole structure. The upper can work with laces, Velcro, or other fasteners to adjust the fit of the upper around the foot. The bottom portion of the upper, closest to the foot, is attached to the sole structure.

[0003] The sole structure comprises different components arranged and connected in layers between the ground and the upper. At the bottom layer of the sole structure is the outsole, which provides abrasion resistance and traction to the ground; it may be formed of rubber or other suitable materials. Above the outsole is the midsole, which provides cushioning and rebound for the foot and is at least partially formed of a polymer foam material that deforms upon pressure applied to it by the foot to cushion the foot by reducing the reaction force of the ground. A footbed may be defined on the upper surface of the midsole, the contour of which may be configured to conform to the contour of the sole surface of the foot. The sole structure may also include an insole or insole for enhancing comfort, which is fixedly or detachably attached to the upper surface of the midsole and located within the cavity defined by the midsole and the upper.

[0004] Current shoe sole structures require better cushioning in the upper part of the sole that contacts the foot, and better support in the lower part that contacts the ground—essentially providing functional variations along the thickness of the sole structure. To achieve this, different materials can be used in the midsole; for example, a lighter, softer material can be used in the upper part of the midsole, while a heavier, stiffer material can be used in the lower part. However, this type of sole structure results in a large overall weight, and the joints between different materials are difficult to tightly bond, leading to poor overall quality. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the aforementioned defects or problems in the prior art and to provide a sole structure and footwear product with functional variations in the direction of motion force, which provides functional variations in the thickness direction while maintaining lightweight.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] Technical Solution 1: A shoe sole structure with functional variation in the direction of motion force, comprising: a support component having a plurality of support layers arranged along its thickness direction, wherein its upper portion is formed by at least one of the support layers to form a cushioning area, and its lower portion is formed by at least one of the support layers to form a support area; and a shell enclosing the outer side of the support component; wherein, for each support layer in the support component, a mutually perpendicular arrangement direction and a channel direction are defined; each support layer is provided with a plurality of support channels arranged sequentially along the arrangement direction, and each support channel located in the same support layer extends along the channel direction; adjacent support layers are interconnected, and their respective arrangement directions are mutually perpendicular, and their channel directions are also mutually perpendicular; each support channel is formed by two opposing sidewalls arranged along the arrangement direction corresponding to the support layer; each sidewall has a first curved segment and a second curved segment arranged periodically along the channel direction corresponding to the support layer it is located in, the first curved segment and the second curved segment having opposite bending directions; and adjacent sidewalls in the same support layer are connected by... The positions of their respective first curved segments are staggered, and the positions of their respective second curved segments are also staggered; in the same support layer, adjacent sidewalls tend to be closer to each other as they approach the junction of adjacent support layers, and at the junction of adjacent support layers, in the same support layer, the start of the first curved segment of the sidewall connects with the end of the first curved segment of the adjacent sidewall that is staggered from it, and the start of the second curved segment of the sidewall connects with the end of the second curved segment of the adjacent sidewall that is staggered from it, so that the support channels in adjacent support layers are connected; in the support assembly, the width of each support channel is consistent, and the dimension of the support layer in the damping area in the thickness direction is smaller than the dimension of the support layer in the thickness direction in the support area; the width of the support channel is the distance between the lower edges of the two sidewalls forming the support channel in the arrangement direction; the dimension of the support layer in the thickness direction is the distance between the lower edges of any two sidewalls forming a support channel in the support layer and the corresponding junctions of the two sidewalls in the thickness direction.

[0008] Technical Solution 2 based on Technical Solution 1: The fill rate of each of the support layers is equal, and the fill rate is the volume occupied by the sidewall of the support layer in the space enclosed by the shell.

[0009] Technical Solution 3, based on Technical Solution 2: The dimensions of each support layer in the support component gradually increase from top to bottom in the thickness direction.

[0010] Technical Solution 4 based on Technical Solution 2: The dimensions of each support layer in the damping region are equal in the thickness direction, and the dimensions of each support layer in the support region are equal in the thickness direction.

[0011] Technical Solution 5 based on Technical Solution 4: Between the damping region and the support region, a rebound region is formed by at least one of the support layers; the dimensions of the support layers in the damping region, rebound region and support region gradually increase in the thickness direction.

[0012] Technical solution six based on technical solution five: the dimensions of each support layer in the rebound region are equal in the thickness direction.

[0013] Technical solution seven based on technical solution six: the dimension of the support layer in the rebound region in the thickness direction is 1.1 times the dimension of the support layer in the thickness direction in the damping region; the dimension of the support layer in the support region in the thickness direction is 1.2 times the dimension of the support layer in the thickness direction in the damping region.

[0014] Technical solution eight based on technical solution one: The starting and ending points of the first and second curved sections in the sidewall are inclined along the extension direction of the corresponding support channel, and the inclination directions of the first and second curved sections in the same sidewall are the same, while the corresponding inclination directions in adjacent sidewalls are opposite.

[0015] Technical Solution Nine based on Technical Solution Eight: The closer the part of the sidewall is to the junction of the adjacent support layer, the greater its degree of curvature.

[0016] In addition, this utility model also provides technical solution ten: a footwear product, which includes an upper and a sole structure that changes function in the direction of motion force as described in any one of technical solutions one to nine, wherein the upper is attached to the sole structure.

[0017] As can be seen from the above description of this utility model, compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] Technical solution one provides a sole structure with functional changes in the direction of motion force. The sole structure includes a support component and a shell. The shell can enclose the support component, thereby forming a sealed air chamber inside the support component. By utilizing the structural characteristics of the support component itself and the air cushion structure formed by the sealed air chamber, rebound and shock absorption performance are provided.

[0019] The support assembly comprises several support layers arranged along its thickness, forming support channels that can hold air. The channels of adjacent support layers are perpendicular to each other, and the adjacent support layers are interconnected, forming a sealed air chamber through the enclosure. When the support assembly is subjected to downward pressure, it is compressed as a whole, thus compressing the air within the support channels. When the pressure is removed, the air returns to its original volume. This compression and recovery of the air provides a certain degree of shock absorption. Furthermore, adjacent support layers support each other, and because the support channels of adjacent support layers are interwoven, when the support assembly is compressed, the force is quickly and evenly distributed throughout the entire support assembly, thus providing a better shock absorption effect. In the support layer, support channels are formed through the cooperation of sidewalls. The sidewalls are provided with a first curved section and a second curved section. Compared with straight sidewalls, curved sidewalls have a larger equivalent support area in the arrangement direction. When subjected to downward pressure, the sidewalls themselves can form a certain support, which can then be fed back to the entire support assembly, improving the shock absorption effect of the sole's protective cushioning structure. At the same time, in the same support layer, adjacent sidewalls tend to be close together, and there are joints between adjacent sidewalls. The structure of mutual inclination makes the force transmission faster and improves the support performance of the sidewalls. The joints between adjacent sidewalls make the joints between adjacent support layers more stable and increase the equivalent contact area of ​​the joints, improving support performance and thus improving the overall cushioning effect. The inclination of the first and second curved sections makes it easier for adjacent sidewalls to be connected as one unit, and the joint positions are staggered, reducing the impact of excessive stress concentration, thereby improving the overall cushioning effect.

[0020] Furthermore, the upper part of the support component forms a cushioning zone with a support layer, while the lower part forms a support zone with a support layer. The support layers in these two sections have different dimensions in the thickness direction, thus providing different performance characteristics. Specifically, if all the support layers have the same structural dimensions, meaning the support component is uniform in the thickness direction, then the support component can only provide a single performance characteristic. For example, due to the aforementioned structure, the support component may have good cushioning, but its support performance in contact with the ground may be poor. In this case, the support performance of the lower part of the support component can be improved by increasing the density or fill rate. However, this would increase the overall density of the support component, resulting in a heavier weight for the same shape and size, which is detrimental to the lightweight design of the shoe sole. To address this, the support component in this technical solution maintains a consistent width across all support channels while elongating the support layer in the thickness direction within the support area. Because the support layer in the support area is stretched in the thickness direction, while the width of its support channels remains the same, the deflection angle of the sidewalls forming the support channels within the support layer in the support area decreases. With the same sidewall thickness, there is more overlap within the sidewalls in the thickness direction, thus providing better support. Furthermore, since the support layer is stretched only in the thickness direction, the density or fill rate of the support layer in the support area remains consistent with that in the cushioning area, and the overall density of the support component remains unchanged. This achieves both lightweight design and improved cushioning and support performance of the sole structure.

[0021] In technical solution two, the fill rate of each support layer is equal, ensuring that the overall density of the support component does not change compared to the conventional structure, thereby ensuring the lightweight of the sole structure; and the equal fill rate of the support layers ensures that the connection and transition between adjacent support layers in the thickness direction can still be adapted, and there will be no misalignment, so that the force and force transmission of the support component as a whole are kept balanced.

[0022] In technical solution three, the dimensions of each support layer in the support component gradually increase from top to bottom in the thickness direction. The gradual change in size allows the support component to gradually present a functional change from better shock absorption performance to better support performance. The dimensional changes between adjacent support layers are small, which can avoid the discontinuous change in performance in the thickness direction and make the wearing feel more comfortable.

[0023] In technical solution four, the dimensions of the support layer in the damping zone are equal in the thickness direction, and the dimensions of the support layer in the support zone are also equal in the thickness direction. With this setting, the structural consistency of the support layer inside the damping zone and the support zone is better, while maintaining better damping and support performance.

[0024] In technical solution five, a rebound zone is set between the cushioning zone and the support zone, and the support layer in the cushioning zone, rebound zone, and support zone gradually increases in thickness. This design allows for a smoother transition between cushioning, rebound, and support performance in the sole structure. When the foot lands, the cushioning zone first absorbs the impact; then the rebound zone effectively converts the absorbed energy into rebound force, providing assistance for the next movement; finally, the support zone provides stable support, ensuring foot stability during movement. This gradual structural design avoids abrupt transitions between different performance zones, thus providing a more comfortable and natural wearing experience, especially suitable for the dynamic needs of various sports scenarios.

[0025] In technical solution six, the support layers in the rebound zone are all equal in size in the thickness direction, ensuring the consistency and stability of the internal structure of the rebound zone. After being deformed under pressure, the support layers of equal size can return to their original shape in a relatively uniform manner, thus providing a stable and predictable rebound force. This stability helps reduce performance fluctuations of the sole during use, allowing the user to feel a consistent rebound effect in every step of movement, enhancing the rhythm and comfort of exercise. It also helps extend the service life of the sole structure, as uniform stress and deformation can reduce the risk of excessive localized wear.

[0026] In technical solution seven, the thickness dimension of the support layer in the rebound zone is 1.1 times that of the support layer in the cushioning zone, and the thickness dimension of the support layer in the support zone is 1.2 times that of the support layer in the cushioning zone. This proportional change provides good feedback in practical applications. The moderately increased thickness of the rebound zone relative to the cushioning zone allows it to better perform its rebound function while maintaining a certain cushioning capability, effectively returning energy to the foot and improving the efficiency and smoothness of movement. The further increased thickness of the support zone ensures strong support when the sole contacts the ground, able to withstand greater pressure without excessive deformation, providing a solid foundation for the foot and ensuring safety during exercise. Especially in high-intensity sports or complex terrain, this design better meets the comprehensive performance requirements of the sole structure.

[0027] In technical solution eight, the first and second curved sections are inclined, which makes it easier for adjacent sidewalls to connect into one, and the connection positions are staggered to reduce the impact of excessive stress concentration, thereby improving the overall shock absorption effect.

[0028] In technical solution nine, the degree of curvature of the part of the sidewall closer to the support layer is greater, which can make the connection between adjacent sidewalls smoother, avoid sudden structural changes, and enhance the resilience of the support component.

[0029] Technical solution ten provides a footwear product that utilizes the aforementioned sole structure, featuring functional variations in the thickness direction, which can provide better cushioning and support while maintaining the lightweight nature of the sole structure. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of the shoe with functional changes in the direction of motion force according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a shoe sole structure with functional changes in the direction of motion force according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a shoe sole structure with functional changes in the direction of motion force according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a shoe sole structure with functional changes in the direction of motion force according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 ;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a shoe sole structure with functional changes in the direction of motion force according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 ;

[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a shoe sole structure with functional changes in the direction of motion force according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 ;

[0037] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a shoe sole structure with functional changes in the direction of motion force according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 ;

[0038] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a shoe sole structure with functional changes in the direction of motion force according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 .

[0039] Explanation of key figure labels:

[0040] Support component 1; support layer 2; shock absorption area 3; support area 4; outer shell 5; support channel 6; side wall 7; first bending section 8; second bending section 9; joint 10; rebound area 11. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present utility model and should not be considered as excluding other embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0042] Unless otherwise expressly defined, the use of terms such as "first," "second," or "third" in the claims, description, and drawings of this utility model is for distinguishing different objects and not for describing a specific order.

[0043] Unless otherwise expressly defined, in the claims, description, and accompanying drawings of this utility model, the use of directional terms such as "center," "lateral," "longitudinal," "horizontal," "vertical," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise" to indicate orientation or positional relationships is based on the orientation and positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and is only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description. It does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of this utility model.

[0044] Unless otherwise expressly defined, the terms "fixed connection" or "fixed connection" used in the claims, description and drawings of this utility model shall be interpreted broadly to refer to any connection in which there is no displacement or relative rotation relationship between the two parties, including non-removable fixed connection, detachable fixed connection, integral connection and fixed connection through other devices or components.

[0045] In the claims, description and accompanying drawings of this utility model, the terms "comprising", "having", and variations thereof are used to mean "including but not limited to".

[0046] This utility model relates to a footwear product, which includes an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure is a sole structure whose function changes in the direction of force during movement, and the upper is attached to the sole structure. The structure of the upper and the way the upper is attached to the sole structure can be set in a conventional manner, and will not be described in detail here.

[0047] The following provides a detailed description of the sole structure of this footwear product, which features functional variations in the direction of motion stress.

[0048] The sole structure includes: a support component 1 having a plurality of support layers 2 arranged along its thickness direction, wherein the upper part of the component is formed by at least one of the support layers 2 to form a cushioning area 3, and the lower part of the component is formed by at least one of the support layers 2 to form a support area 4; and a shell 5 that encloses the outer side of the support component 1.

[0049] In the support component 1, each support layer 2 is defined with a mutually perpendicular arrangement direction and a channel direction; each support layer 2 is provided with a plurality of support channels 6 arranged sequentially along the arrangement direction, and each support channel 6 located in the same support layer 2 extends along the channel direction; adjacent support layers 2 are interconnected, and their respective arrangement directions and channel directions are mutually perpendicular; each support channel 6 is formed by two opposing sidewalls 7 arranged along the arrangement direction corresponding to the support layer 2; each sidewall 7 has a first curved segment 8 and a second curved segment 9 arranged periodically along the channel direction corresponding to the support layer 2 it is located in, and the first curved segment 8 and the second curved segment 9 are curved... The curvatures are opposite; between two adjacent sidewalls 7 in the same support layer 2, the positions of their respective first curved segments 8 are staggered, and the positions of their respective second curved segments 9 are also staggered; in the same support layer 2, adjacent sidewalls 7 tend to be closer to each other as they approach the junction 10 of adjacent support layers 2, and at the junction 10 of adjacent support layers 2, in the same support layer 2, the starting point of the first curved segment 8 of the sidewall 7 connects with the ending point of the first curved segment 8 of the adjacent sidewall 7 that is staggered from it, and the starting point of the second curved segment 9 of the sidewall 7 connects with the ending point of the second curved segment 9 of the adjacent sidewall 7 that is staggered from it, so that the support channels 6 in adjacent support layers 2 are connected.

[0050] Furthermore, in the support assembly 1, the width of each support channel 6 is consistent, and the dimension of the support layer 2 in the damping region 3 in the thickness direction is smaller than the dimension of the support layer 2 in the thickness direction in the support region 4; the width of the support channel 6 is the distance between the lower edges of the two side walls 7 forming the support channel 6 in the arrangement direction; the dimension of the support layer 2 in the thickness direction is the distance between the lower edges of any two side walls 7 forming the support channel 6 in the support layer 2 and the corresponding junction 10 of the two side walls 7 in the thickness direction.

[0051] In this configuration, the starting and ending points of the first curved segment 8 and the second curved segment 9 in the sidewall 7 are inclined along the extension direction of the corresponding support channel 6, and the inclination directions of the first curved segment 8 and the second curved segment 9 in the same sidewall 7 are the same, while the corresponding inclination directions in adjacent sidewalls 7 are opposite. The degree of curvature of the sidewall 7 is greater closer to the junction 10 of the adjacent support layer 2.

[0052] Specifically, first refer to Figure 1 This illustration shows the thickness-direction construction of the sole structure involved in this embodiment: between the cushioning region 3 and the support region 4, at least one of the support layers 2 forms a rebound region 11. In other words, the sole structure involved in this embodiment has a three-layer structure in the thickness direction, consisting of a cushioning region 3, a rebound region 11, and a support region 4 from top to bottom. In this embodiment, these three layers are tightly connected in the thickness direction and together form the support component 1. In other embodiments, only the upper cushioning region 3 and the lower support region 4 may be provided, without the rebound region 11 in the middle; this will not affect the basic function of the support component 1.

[0053] In this embodiment, at least part of the support component 1 in the sole structure is manufactured using 3D printing. The outer shell 5 can be 3D printed together with the support component 1, or it can be attached to the outside of the support component 1 after it has been formed, thus sealing the outer side of the support component 1. When the support component 1 is manufactured using 3D printing, the material used can be thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. Commercially available thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer materials can be selected, such as AU brand polyurethane from Dechuang, UT-AU brand polyurethane from Covestro, and BF-brand polyurethane from Lubrizol. Alternatively, nylon can be used, and the material grade can be selected according to actual needs. It should be understood that in this embodiment, when the sole protective cushioning structure is made of different materials, its cushioning performance will inevitably differ, but this difference will not affect the function of the sole protective cushioning structure. When the outer shell 5 is also manufactured using 3D printing, the materials used for the support component 1 and the outer shell 5 can be the same or different. The materials used for different areas inside the support component 1 (e.g., cushioning area 3 and support area 4) can also be the same or different. However, it should be noted that the outer shell 5 should be made of an airtight material. When the outer shell 5 covers the outer periphery of the closed support component 1, it can cooperate with the support component 1 to form a sealed air chamber.

[0054] Since the sole structure provided in this embodiment is manufactured using 3D printing, layer by layer, and its overall structure is built by gradually stacking layers from bottom to top, this embodiment also uses a corresponding layer-by-layer laying method to describe the structure of the support component 1. Among them, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one of the support layers 2, 3 Figures 3 to 6 This diagram illustrates the different stages of laying out the support layer 2 at the bottom layer, following the stacking sequence from bottom to top. Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second-to-last and third-to-last support layer 2.

[0055] Reference Figure 2 The main body of the support layer 2 is the side wall 7 used to form the support channel 6, and the space between the two side walls 7 is the support channel 6.

[0056] Reference Figure 3 Taking the support layer 2 shown in the figure as the first support layer 2, although the sidewall 7 has a curved structure, the support channels 6 generally extend in a fixed direction, which is the channel direction of the support layer 2; at the same time, the first support layer 2 includes multiple support channels 6, which are arranged in a fixed direction, that is, the arrangement direction of the support layer 2. Figure 3 Taking the orientation of the paper as an example, the channel direction of the first layer, support layer 2, is left-right, and the arrangement direction is up-down. Furthermore, referring to... Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the structure of a second support layer 2 located above the first support layer 2. In this second support layer 2, the channel direction changes to vertical, and the arrangement direction changes to horizontal. This indicates that the channel direction and arrangement direction of adjacent support layers 2 change periodically. Furthermore, adjacent support layers 2 are interconnected, and when the outer wall seals the entire support assembly 1, the sole structure forms a sealed air chamber.

[0057] Reference Figure 3 ,by Figure 3 Taking the paper orientation as an example, in the first support layer 2, the sidewall 7 has a periodically arranged first curved segment 8 and second curved segment 9 along the left-right direction, that is, the channel direction of the support layer 2. Taking one sidewall 7 as an example, starting from the left end, it is arranged in the form of first curved segment 8, second curved segment 9, first curved segment 8, second curved segment 9... to the rightmost end. The first curved segment 8 starts from the left end and extends smoothly forward and to the right, while the second curved segment 9 starts from the end point of the first curved segment 8 and extends smoothly backward and to the right. The starting point of the first curved segment 8 and the ending point of the second curved segment 9 are at the same position in the front-back direction. Thus, the sidewall 7 forms a periodic curved structure. Figure 4 The ranges of the first curved segment 8 and the second curved segment 9 are marked with dashed lines. Simultaneously, the width of the support channel 6 is marked with dashed lines, and this width is within... Figure 3 The width of the support channel 6 is represented by the letter d. Obviously, the width of the support channel 6 is the distance between the lower edges of the corresponding positions of the two side walls 7 forming the support channel 6 in the arrangement direction.

[0058] At the same time, continue to refer to Figure 3 Taking the aforementioned sidewall 7 as an example, the first curved segments 8 of one adjacent sidewall 7, located below or above it, are offset from each other, and the second curved segments 9 are also offset from each other. This offset means that within the left-right range defined by the start and end points of the first curved segment 8 or the second curved segment 9 of one sidewall 7, the start or end points of the first curved segment 8 or the second curved segment 9 of the other adjacent sidewall 7 are not within that left-right range. In other words, the curved segments on adjacent sidewalls 7 are not perfectly aligned.

[0059] Reference Figure 4 The sidewalls 7 of the first supporting layer 2 are gradually laid upwards to form the shape. Figure 5 As can be seen, the starting and ending points of the first curved segment 8 and the second curved segment 9 in the sidewall 7 of the support layer 2 are inclined along the extension direction of the corresponding air chamber channel. Furthermore, in the first layer of the support layer 2, the starting and ending points of the first curved segment 8 and the second curved segment 9 of one sidewall 7 are inclined to the left, while the starting and ending points of the first curved segment 8 and the second curved segment 9 of the other sidewall 7 adjacent to this sidewall 7 are inclined to the right. Thus, in the same support layer 2, adjacent sidewalls 7 tend to be more inclined towards each other the closer they are to the junction 10 of the adjacent support layer 2. (Refer to...) Figure 5 and Figure 6 The first support layer 2 and the second support layer 2 intersect. At this time, the uppermost part of the side wall 7 of the first support layer 2 begins to connect with the adjacent side wall 7. The connection point is where the beginning of the first curved segment 8 on the side wall 7 connects with the end of the first curved segment 8 on the other side wall 7, and the beginning of the second curved segment 9 on the side wall 7 connects with the beginning of the second curved segment 9 on the other side wall 7. Figure 6 Taking the paper orientation as an example, at the junction 10, the sidewall 7 of the second support layer 2 begins to extend vertically. Then refer to... Figure 2 The sidewall 7 of the second supporting layer 2 gradually extends upwards, and the degree of curvature gradually decreases. The main part of the sidewall 7 extends in a vertical direction. (Refer to...) Figure 7 The side walls 7 of the second supporting layer 2 will gradually lean towards each other until they connect to form a junction 10. Then refer to... Figure 8 The sidewall 7 of the third supporting layer 2 also gradually takes shape.

[0060] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The direction of the first curved segment 8 and the second curved segment 9 is marked by dashed lines. It can be seen that the starting point of the first curved segment 8 in the same side wall 7 gradually slopes to the right and approaches the side wall 7 above it. The ending point of the first curved segment 8 gradually slopes to the right and approaches the side wall 7 below it. The starting point of the next second curved segment 9 is the ending point of the first curved segment 8, and the ending point of the second curved segment 9 is the starting point of the next first curved segment 8.

[0061] The dimension of the support layer 2 in the thickness direction is the distance in the thickness direction between the lower edge of any of the two side walls 7 forming the support channel 6 and the corresponding junction 10 of the two side walls 7. During 3D printing, under the same flow rate, the thickness of each printed layer is equal. As explained above, when printing a new printed layer corresponding to a side wall 7 of a support channel 6, the printed layer needs to be rotated at a certain angle in the horizontal direction, so that the side walls 7 tend to lean towards each other. Therefore, in the support region 4, when the thickness direction of the support layer 2 needs to be stretched, the rotation angle of each new printed layer is smaller than that of a conventional printed layer. In terms of the overall performance of the side wall 7, the torsion angle of the side wall 7 is more gradual.

[0062] In the aforementioned support component 1, several support layers 2 are arranged along the thickness direction, forming support channels 6. The support channels 6 can accommodate air, and the channel directions of the support channels 6 of adjacent support layers 2 are perpendicular to each other. The adjacent support layers 2 are interconnected, and can form a sealed air chamber through the enclosure 5. When the support component 1 is subjected to downward pressure, the support component 1 is compressed as a whole, thereby compressing the air in the support channels 6. When the pressure is removed, the air will return to its original volume. In this process, the compression and recovery of the air can play a certain role in shock absorption. At the same time, the adjacent support layers 2 support each other, and because the support channels 6 of the adjacent support layers 2 are interlaced, when the support component 1 is compressed, the force will be quickly and evenly distributed throughout the entire support component 1, thereby providing a better shock absorption effect through the entire support component 1. In the support layer 2, a support channel 6 is formed by the sidewalls 7. The sidewalls 7 are provided with a first curved section 8 and a second curved section 9. Compared with the straight sidewalls 7, the curved sidewalls 7 have a larger equivalent support area in the arrangement direction. When subjected to downward pressure, the sidewalls 7 themselves can form a certain support, which can then be fed back to the entire support assembly 1, improving the shock absorption effect of the sole protection and cushioning structure. At the same time, in the same support layer 2, adjacent sidewalls 7 tend to be close together, and there are joints between adjacent sidewalls 7. The structure of mutual inclination makes the force transmission faster and can make the support performance of the sidewalls 7 better. The joints between adjacent sidewalls 7 can make the joints between adjacent support layers 2 more stable and increase the equivalent contact area of ​​the joints, improving the support performance and thus improving the overall cushioning effect. The inclination of the first curved section 8 and the second curved section 9 makes it easier for adjacent sidewalls 7 to be connected as one, and the joint positions are staggered, reducing the impact of excessive stress concentration, thereby improving the overall cushioning effect.

[0063] Furthermore, the upper part of the support component 1 forms a cushioning area 3 with the support layer 2, and the lower part forms a support area 4 with the support layer 2. The support layers 2 have different dimensions in the thickness direction, thus providing different performance characteristics. Specifically, if the structural dimensions of each support layer 2 are equal, that is, if the support component 1 is uniform in the thickness direction, then the support component 1 can only provide a single performance characteristic. For example, due to the above structure, the support component 1 can have a good cushioning effect, but the support effect when in contact with the ground is poor. In this case, the support performance of the lower part of the support component 1 can be improved by increasing the density or filling rate. However, this will lead to an increase in the overall density of the support component 1. Under the same shape and size, the weight of the support component 1 will increase, which is not conducive to the lightweighting of the sole structure. Therefore, in this technical solution, the support component 1 maintains a consistent width for each support channel 6 while elongating the support layer 2 in the support region 4 in the thickness direction. Since the support layer 2 in the support region 4 is stretched in the thickness direction, while the width of its support channel 6 remains the same, the deflection angle of the sidewall 7 forming the support channel 6 in the support layer 2 of the support region 4 is reduced. With the same sidewall 7 thickness, there is more overlap in the thickness direction within the sidewall 7, thus providing better support. Furthermore, because the support layer 2 is stretched only in the thickness direction, the density or fill rate of the support layer 2 in the support region 4 remains consistent with that of the support layer 2 in the cushioning region 3. The overall density of the support component 1 remains unchanged, thereby improving the cushioning and support performance of the sole structure while achieving weight reduction.

[0064] Furthermore, the inclination of the first bending segment 8 and the second bending segment 9 makes it easier for adjacent sidewalls 7 to connect as a single unit, and the connection points are staggered, reducing the impact of excessive stress concentration and thus improving the overall shock absorption effect. Making the bending degree greater closer to the connection point 10 of the support layer 2 on the sidewalls 7 makes the connection between adjacent sidewalls 7 smoother, avoiding sudden structural changes and enhancing the resilience of the support assembly 1.

[0065] Furthermore, in the sole structure of this embodiment, the fill rate of each support layer 2 is equal, and the fill rate is the volume occupied by the sidewall 7 in the support layer 2 within the space enclosed by the outer shell 5. The equal fill rate of each support layer 2 ensures that the overall density of the support component 1 remains unchanged compared to conventional structures, thereby ensuring the lightweight of the sole structure. Moreover, the equal fill rate of the support layers 2 ensures that the connection and transition between adjacent support layers 2 in the thickness direction remain compatible, preventing misalignment and thus maintaining a balanced stress distribution and transmission across the support component 1 as a whole.

[0066] As a feasible implementation, the dimensions of each support layer 2 in the support assembly 1 can be gradually increased from top to bottom in the thickness direction. Since the support assembly 1 is formed by multiple support layers 2 arranged along the thickness direction, the dimensions of each support layer 2 in the thickness direction can be adjusted so that all support layers 2 have a structure in which the dimensions in the thickness direction gradually increase from top to bottom. Furthermore, several support layers 2 located on the upper side form a cushioning region 3, and several support layers 2 located on the lower side form a support region 4. This gradual change in size allows the support assembly 1 to progressively exhibit a functional change from better cushioning performance to better support performance. The small dimensional changes between adjacent support layers 2 avoid abrupt changes in performance in the thickness direction, resulting in a more comfortable wearing experience.

[0067] In this embodiment, the dimensions of each support layer 2 in the damping region 3 are equal in the thickness direction, and the dimensions of each support layer 2 in the support region 4 are equal in the thickness direction. This arrangement improves the structural consistency of the support layers 2 within the damping region 3 and the support region 4, while maintaining optimal damping and support performance.

[0068] The support layer 2 in the rebound zone 11 has a thickness dimension larger than that of the cushioning zone 3 but smaller than that of the support zone 4. Furthermore, the dimensions of each support layer 2 in the rebound zone 11 are equal in the thickness direction. The rebound zone 11 is positioned between the cushioning zone 3 and the support zone 4, with the dimensions of the support layers 2 in the cushioning zone 3, rebound zone 11, and support zone 4 gradually increasing in thickness. This design allows for a smoother transition between cushioning, rebound, and support performance in the sole structure. When the foot lands, the cushioning zone 3 first absorbs the impact; then, the rebound zone 11 effectively converts the absorbed energy into rebound force, providing assistance for the next movement; finally, the support zone 4 provides stable support, ensuring foot stability during movement. This gradual structural design avoids abrupt transitions between different performance zones, thus providing a more comfortable and natural wearing experience, especially suitable for the dynamic needs of various sports scenarios. The equal thickness dimension of each support layer 2 in the rebound zone 11 ensures the consistency and stability of the internal structure of the rebound zone 11. After being deformed under pressure, the equally sized support layer 2 can return to its original shape in a relatively uniform manner, thus providing stable and predictable rebound force. This stability helps reduce performance fluctuations of the sole during use, allowing the user to feel a consistent rebound effect with every step of movement, enhancing the rhythm and comfort of exercise, and also helping to extend the lifespan of the sole structure, as uniform stress and deformation can reduce the risk of localized excessive wear.

[0069] Furthermore, the dimension of the support layer 2 in the rebound region 11 in the thickness direction is 1.1 times the dimension of the support layer 2 in the thickness direction in the damping region 3; the dimension of the support layer 2 in the thickness direction in the support region 4 is 1.2 times the dimension of the support layer 2 in the thickness direction in the damping region 3.

[0070] Specifically, in actual fabrication, as a preferred embodiment, the shock-absorbing region 3, the rebound region 11, and the support region 4 each have only one support layer 2. The fill rate of each support layer 2 is approximately 20%, and the thickness of each printed layer is set to 0.2 mm. In the shock-absorbing region 3, the thickness dimension of each support layer 2 is equal, and the swing angle of each printed layer is approximately 10.5-11°. After one complete swing, a support layer 2 is formed, with a thickness dimension of approximately 6.6 mm. In the rebound region 11, the height of the support layer 2 is approximately 7.26 mm, and the swing angle of each printed layer is approximately 9.8-10.2°. In the support region 4, the height of the support layer 2 is approximately 7.92 mm, and the swing angle of each printed layer is approximately 8.9-9.2°.

[0071] The aforementioned proportional changes provide good feedback in practical applications. The moderately increased thickness of the rebound zone 11 relative to the cushioning zone 3 allows it to better perform its rebound function while maintaining a certain level of cushioning, effectively transferring energy back to the foot and improving the efficiency and smoothness of movement. The further increased thickness of the support zone 4 ensures strong support when the sole contacts the ground, capable of withstanding greater pressure without excessive deformation, providing a solid foundation for the foot and ensuring safety during exercise. This design better meets the comprehensive performance requirements of the sole structure, especially during high-intensity sports or on complex terrain.

[0072] The foregoing description of the specifications and embodiments is intended to explain the scope of protection of this utility model, but does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this utility model. Modifications, equivalent substitutions, or other improvements to the embodiments of this utility model or a portion thereof that can be obtained by those skilled in the art through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation, based on the teachings of this utility model or the foregoing embodiments, should all be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A sole structure having a functional change in the direction of force of motion, characterized by, The application relates to a support assembly (1) comprising: a plurality of support layers (2) arranged in a thickness direction, and a shock-absorbing area (3) formed by at least one of the support layers (2) on an upper side of the support assembly (1), and a support area (4) formed by at least one of the support layers (2) on a lower side of the support assembly (1); and an outer shell (5) enclosing an outer side of the support assembly (1). In the support assembly (1), for each of the support layers (2), a direction of arrangement and a direction of passage are defined, and each of the support layers (2) is provided with a plurality of support passages (6) arranged in the direction of arrangement, and each of the support passages (6) in the same support layer (2) extends in the direction of passage; adjacent support layers (2) are connected to each other, and the corresponding directions of arrangement and the corresponding directions of passage of the adjacent support layers (2) are perpendicular to each other; the support passage (6) is formed by two opposite side walls (7) arranged in the corresponding direction of arrangement of the support layer (2); the side wall (7) is periodically provided with a first curved section (8) and a second curved section (9) connected end to end in the corresponding direction of passage of the support layer (2), and the bending directions of the first curved section (8) and the second curved section (9) are opposite; in the same support layer (2), the positions of the first curved sections (8) of the two side walls (7) are staggered, and the positions of the second curved sections (9) of the two side walls (7) are also staggered; in the same support layer (2), the closer the adjacent side walls (7) are to the joint (10) of the adjacent support layers (2), the more the adjacent side walls (7) tend to incline to each other, and at the joint (10) of the adjacent support layers (2), in the same support layer (2), the starting point of the first curved section (8) of the side wall (7) is connected to the ending point of the staggered first curved section (8) of the adjacent side wall (7), and the starting point of the second curved section (9) of the side wall (7) is connected to the ending point of the staggered second curved section (9) of the adjacent side wall (7), so that the support passages (6) in the adjacent support layers (2) are communicated. In the support assembly (1), the widths of the support passages (6) are consistent, and the thickness direction size of the support layer (2) in the shock-absorbing area (3) is smaller than the thickness direction size of the support layer (2) in the support area (4); the width of the support passage (6) is the distance between the lower edges of the two side walls (7) forming the support passage (6) in the direction of arrangement; and the thickness direction size of the support layer (2) is the distance between the lower edges of the two side walls (7) forming a support passage (6) in the thickness direction and the joint (10) corresponding to the two side walls (7) in the thickness direction.

2. A sole structure for a shoe having a function that varies with the direction of applied force, as set forth in claim 1, wherein The filling rate of each of the support layers (2) is equal, and the filling rate is the volume of the side wall (7) in the support layer (2) in the space enclosed by the outer shell (5).

3. A sole structure for a shoe having a function that varies with the direction of the force applied thereto as defined in Claim 2, wherein The thickness direction size of each of the support layers (2) in the support assembly (1) gradually increases from top to bottom.

4. A sole structure for a shoe having a function that varies with the direction of applied force as defined in Claim 2, wherein The thickness of each support layer (2) in the shock-absorbing area (3) is equal, and the thickness of each support layer (2) in the supporting area (4) is equal.

5. A sole structure for a shoe having a function which varies with the direction of the force applied thereto as defined in Claim 4, wherein A rebounding area (11) is formed by at least one support layer (2) between the shock-absorbing area (3) and the supporting area (4); the thickness of the support layer (2) in the shock-absorbing area (3), the rebounding area (11) and the supporting area (4) gradually increases.

6. A sole structure for a shoe having a function that varies with the direction of applied force as defined in Claim 5, wherein The thickness of each support layer (2) in the rebounding area (11) is equal.

7. A sole structure for a shoe having a function that varies with the direction of the force applied thereto as defined in Claim 6, wherein The thickness of the support layer (2) in the rebounding area (11) is 1.1 times the thickness of the support layer (2) in the shock-absorbing area (3); the thickness of the support layer (2) in the supporting area (4) is 1.2 times the thickness of the support layer (2) in the shock-absorbing area (3).

8. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein, The starting point and the ending point of the first curved section (8) and the second curved section (9) in the side wall (7) are inclined along the extension direction of the corresponding support channel (6), and the inclined directions of the first curved section (8) and the second curved section (9) in the same side wall (7) are the same, and the inclined directions of the corresponding first curved section (8) and the second curved section (9) in adjacent side walls (7) are opposite.

9. A sole structure for a shoe having a function that varies with the direction of the applied force as defined in Claim 8, wherein The closer to the joint (10) of the adjacent support layer (2) on the side wall (7), the greater the degree of bending.

10. A footwear product comprising an upper, characterized by Also included is the shoe structure with the function change in the direction of the force of motion according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the shoe upper is attached to the shoe structure.

Images