Air Bladder Footbed With Convex Shape Matching Midsole Cavity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing footwear designs with air bladders in the heel area lack an efficient integration of bladder elements within the sole system, compromising visibility and comfort due to non-matching dimensions and shapes of the bladder with the surrounding layers.

Innovation Solution

A sole system design where the air bladder is secured within a midsole cavity with corresponding shapes and dimensions, extending into openings in the outsole and insole layers, with a clear TPU sheet covering the base to maintain visibility and provide protection, while the bladder's convex top is exposed for direct foot contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the air bladder is positioned in a cavity in the midsole layer, then the bladder is integrated within the sole system, but the visibility and comfort are compromised due to non-matching dimensions and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of bladder within sole systemVSAvoidvisibility and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bladder element is given a specific convex shape that matches the cavity configuration, creating local quality variation. The bladder has a convex outer surface that corresponds to the concave inner surface of the cavity, ensuring proper fit and visibility while maintaining integration within the sole system structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bladder element and cavity are designed with asymmetric corresponding shapes rather than simple cylindrical forms. The convex outer surface of the bladder corresponds to the concave inner surface of the cavity, creating an asymmetric but complementary fit that improves both visibility and comfort while maintaining structural integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Stability of the object's composition

If the bladder element is secured within the midsole cavity, then structural integrity is maintained, but the visibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The bladder element functions as a flexible shell structure with a convex outer surface that can be made transparent or translucent. This thin-film-like structure allows light transmission for visibility while maintaining the structural integrity needed to secure the bladder within the midsole cavity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The bladder element may be made transparent or translucent, allowing light to pass through and providing visibility of the bladder within the sole system. This optical property change enables the bladder to maintain both structural integrity and visual visibility simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Shape

If the peripheral edges of layers are flush with the bladder element, then a smooth integrated appearance is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth integrated appearanceVSAvoidperipheral edge alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cavity is pre-formed in the midsole layer with a concave configuration that corresponds to the convex shape of the bladder element before the bladder is inserted. This preliminary preparation of the cavity shape ensures that when the bladder is secured in place, the peripheral edges of the layers will be flush with the bladder, achieving a smooth integrated appearance without requiring post-assembly adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8166673B2Air bladder footbed

Publication Date: 2012.05.01 NIKE INC

AI summary

A sole system for an article of footwear comprising: an outsole layer and an insole layer, each of which include a vertically extending opening, a midsole layer disposed between the outsole and insole layers and including a bottom surface, a top surface, and an opening that extends vertically through the midsole layer to define a cavity therein, the cavity opening having a first dimension at the bottom surface substantially corresponding to the outsole layer opening and a second dimension at the top surface substantially corresponding to the insole layer opening; and a bladder element having a top and a base, wherein a portion of the bladder element is secured within the midsole cavity such that the top extends into at least a portion of the insole layer opening and the base extends into the outsole layer opening, wherein the bladder element and the midsole cavity include corresponding shapes and dimensions.