Footwear Sole Structure With Arced Midsole Protrusions for Heel Impact Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sole structures in footwear struggle to balance cushioning and forward momentum, often leading to heel impact mitigation and efficient transition from heel to toe-off, especially for walking and slow running, where heel striking is common.
Innovation Solution
A midsole design with downwardly-extending protrusions, particularly in the midfoot and heel regions, featuring an arced profile that promotes a rocker functionality, combined with a relatively flat forefoot region to enhance compressibility and stability, using a one-piece foam body with varying protrusion shapes and outsole configurations for durability and traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the midsole uses a flat ground-facing surface for stability, then stability is improved, but forward momentum and transition efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole ground-facing surface incorporates an arced profile with upward curvature at the heel and forefoot regions, creating a rocker geometry that promotes forward rolling motion while maintaining stability during weight bearing
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the midsole uses high compressibility material for cushioning, then heel impact mitigation is improved, but forward momentum and transition efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is divided into distinct regions with different properties: a compressible heel region for impact absorption, a rigid arced profile for forward motion, and a flat forefoot region for stable toe-off, allowing each segment to optimize its specific function
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the midsole have differentiated characteristics - the heel region emphasizes compressibility for cushioning, the midfoot maintains an arced rigid profile for momentum, and the forefoot provides a flat stable surface, with each local area optimized for its specific functional requirement
3Speed
If the midsole uses an arced profile for forward momentum, then transition efficiency is improved, but stability during weight bearing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The arced profile is segmented into heel and forefoot upward curves connected by a downward midfoot curve, with the forefoot region transitioning to a flat ground-facing surface to provide stability during the toe-off phase while maintaining forward momentum benefits
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 design mitigates heel impact, reduces muscle fatigue, and promotes efficient forward momentum by minimizing abrupt ground contact transitions, providing enhanced cushioning and stability for various paces and activities.
Implementation Method 1
downwardly-extending protrusions distributed over the midfoot region and the heel region... each of the downwardly-extending protrusions having a convex outer surface
Implementation Method 2
midsole having a ground-facing surface... distributed over the midfoot region and the heel region
Implementation Method 3
downwardly-extending protrusions... featuring an arced profile that promotes a rocker functionality... height of the midsole is greatest at the midfoot region
Implementation Method 4
each of the downwardly-extending protrusions having a convex outer surface... distributed over the midfoot region and the heel region
Data Source
AI summary
A footwear sole structure includes a midsole having a ground-facing surface with a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The midsole defines downwardly-extending protrusions at the ground-facing surface distributed over the midfoot region and the heel region, each of the downwardly-extending protrusions having a convex outer surface. A height of the midsole is greatest at the midfoot region. The sole structure may also include an outsole covering at least a portion of the ground-facing surface of the midsole, and a height of the sole structure may be greatest at the midfoot region.