Arc-Section Sole Support Structure for Cushioning and Energy Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports shoes fail to simultaneously achieve energy transfer from the metatarsophalangeal joint, good flexion of the joint, and energy absorption during touchdown, leading to insufficient support and energy return.
Innovation Solution
A sole support structure with flexible support pieces made of carbon fiber or TPU, featuring raised or recessed arc sections and varying bending degrees, integrated into the shoe midsole or outsole, to enhance energy conversion and return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If shock-absorbing material is used in the midsole, then energy absorption during touchdown is improved, but support and energy return are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is segmented into multiple functional layers: a shock-absorbing material layer for energy absorption, and a support piece with arc sections for providing support and energy return. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between energy absorption and support.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structure combining shock-absorbing material (such as EVA) with a support piece made of different material properties (with specific hardness and elastic modulus). This composite structure enables simultaneous energy absorption by the soft material and support/energy return by the harder support piece, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
2Strength
If midsole bending stiffness is increased to improve support and energy return, then support is improved, but cushioning performance is sacrificed
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is divided into a cushioning layer and a support piece layer. The cushioning layer maintains softness for good cushioning performance, while the support piece with arc sections provides the necessary stiffness for support and energy return. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the cushioning function from the support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The support piece has different local qualities: the arc sections provide flexibility and energy return where needed, while the overall structure maintains sufficient stiffness for support. The shock-absorbing material provides local cushioning where required. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between overall support and local cushioning performance.
3Power
If the support piece has raised arc sections, then energy return is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support piece is designed as a thin flexible component with arc sections that can be integrated into the midsole structure. This thin-film approach with simplified arc geometry enables energy return functionality while maintaining ease of manufacturing through conventional molding techniques, resolving the contradiction between energy return performance and manufacturing simplicity.
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 structure effectively converts kinetic energy into elastic potential energy during touchdown and releases it during the stirrup stage, improving shock absorption and energy return, thus enhancing sports performance.
Implementation Method 1
The support piece is set with a number of raised arc sections or/and concave arc sections along the width direction of the shoe sole... convert the human kinetic energy in the touchdown and buffering stages into the elastic potential energy of the sole support structure, and convert the elastic potential energy into human kinetic energy again in the stirrup stage
Data Source
AI summary
A support structure for a shoe sole includes a support piece with elasticity, the support piece is provided at the forefoot or/and arch position of the shoe sole and is laid out along the width direction of the shoe sole, the support piece is provided with a number of raised arc sections or/and concave arc sections along the width direction of the shoe sole. Shoe soles and athletic shoes include the support structure described above, the shoe sole support structure bonded or integrally molded to the upper surface of the shoe midsole, or bonded or integrally molded between the shoe midsole and the shoe outsole, or embedded inside the shoe midsole.