Cleated Footwear Sole Element with Openings for Anisotropic Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sole materials for footwear struggle to balance comfort and performance, with anisotropic composite materials being too heavy and difficult to bond with other materials, and conventional sole plates lacking anisotropic bending properties.

Innovation Solution

A sole element comprising a composite element with anisotropic bending properties partially covered by a polymer element, featuring openings and stud domes that do not overlap with the composite element, allowing for engineered anisotropic bending and reduced weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If anisotropic composite materials are used to provide anisotropic bending properties, then bending performance is improved, but weight and thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanisotropic bending propertyVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively placing openings in the polymer element at specific locations to create anisotropic bending properties. The openings are strategically positioned to allow easier bending in one direction while maintaining stiffness in another direction, achieving the desired bending characteristics without requiring heavy composite materials throughout the entire sole element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a thin polymer element with openings to create flexible regions that enable anisotropic bending. The polymer element acts as a thin film structure where the openings create controlled flexibility in specific directions, allowing the sole to achieve desired bending properties without the weight of thicker composite materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If anisotropic composite materials are used to provide anisotropic bending properties, then bending performance is improved, but bonding to other materials becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanisotropic bending propertyVSAvoidbonding

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer element serves as an intermediary between the composite element and other materials in the footwear assembly. The polymer element with its openings provides the anisotropic bending properties while also serving as a bonding interface that can be easily attached to other components, thus resolving the bonding difficulty associated with direct use of composite materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a conventional sole plate is used, then manufacturing is simple, but anisotropic bending properties are not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidanisotropic bending property

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains manufacturing simplicity by using a polymer element with strategically placed openings rather than complex composite materials. The local quality is achieved through the pattern of openings that create anisotropic bending properties, allowing the sole to have direction-dependent flexibility while remaining manufacturable through standard polymer processing techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If a flexible sole is used for walking or gentle running, then comfort is improved, but performance at high running speeds deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidperformance at high speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by creating a sole element with anisotropic bending properties that can adapt its stiffness characteristics based on the direction and magnitude of applied forces. The openings in the polymer element allow the sole to be flexible in directions that enhance comfort during normal walking or gentle running, while maintaining sufficient stiffness in directions that provide performance and injury prevention during high-speed running.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 sole element provides optimized comfort and performance by allowing easier plantar flexion while preventing dorsiflexion, reducing injury risk and enhancing mobility, with a lightweight and durable design.

Implementation Method 1

a composite element with an anisotropic bending property

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnisotropic bending: Anisotropy

Implementation Method 2

a polymer element that at least partially covers the composite element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMaterial bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20250212988A1Sole element

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 ADIDAS AG

AI summary

This invention concerns a sole element for a cleated article of footwear, in particular for a football shoe. The sole element includes a composite element with an anisotropic bending property. The sole element further includes a polymer element, and the polymer element at least partially covers the composite element of the sole element.