Auxetic Footwear Midsole with Hinged Bladders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear midsoles lack the ability to simultaneously curve laterally and longitudinally, limiting their flexibility and effectiveness in absorbing impact forces and conforming to complex shapes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an auxetic midsole with fluidly-connected inflated components that form an auxetic structure, featuring hingedly connected triangular components surrounding star-shaped apertures, allowing for rotation and expansion in multiple directions to absorb and distribute impact forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional midsole structures are used, then manufacturing is simple, but the ability to simultaneously curve laterally and longitudinally is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is divided into multiple individual bladder members arranged in an array, each capable of independent inflation and deflation. This segmentation allows different regions of the midsole to curve independently in lateral and longitudinal directions, enabling complex shape adaptation while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder members are designed to be dynamically inflatable and deflatable, allowing the midsole structure to transition between different curvature states. This dynamic capability enables the midsole to adapt its shape in real-time to match the wearer's foot contours and movement patterns, significantly improving adaptability without permanent structural complexity
2Reliability
If conventional bladders are used, then shock absorption is provided, but the distribution of impact forces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Different bladder members within the array can be inflated to different pressures and volumes based on local impact requirements. This allows the midsole to provide customized shock absorption characteristics at different locations, optimizing impact force distribution across the entire foot while maintaining reliable protection at each specific point
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder members can dynamically adjust their inflation state in response to detected impact forces, redistributing pressure across the array to optimize shock absorption. This dynamic response enhances both the reliability of impact protection and the adaptability of force distribution patterns based on real-time loading conditions
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid midsole structures are used, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The structural properties of the midsole are changed by adjusting the inflation pressure and volume parameters of the bladder members. When stability is required, bladders can be inflated to higher pressures to provide rigid support; when flexibility and comfort are needed, pressures can be reduced to allow the structure to conform more closely to the foot, thus dynamically optimizing both stability and ease of operation
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 auxetic midsole provides enhanced flexibility and improved shock absorption by conforming to complex shapes, effectively distributing impact forces and maintaining comfort during various athletic and recreational activities.
Implementation Method 1
The inflated components are connected by connecting portions that function as hinges, allowing the inflated components to rotate with respect to each other
Implementation Method 2
The bladder member is configured to expand in a first direction and a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction when the bladder member is tensioned in the first direction
Implementation Method 3
The bladder member is configured to expand in a first direction and a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction when the bladder member is tensioned in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear with a midsole has an auxetic bladder member formed from inflated components surrounding star-shaped apertures. The inflated components form one or more auxetic bladders, and may have a triangular geometry. The inflated components are fluidly connected to adjoining components. Adjoining inflated components are hingedly connected, so that they can rotate with respect to each other in the plane of the midsole.