Compressible Sole Cell Structure for Storage and Ventilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing footwear soles do not efficiently transition between compressed and uncompressed states, hindering storage and ventilation, and often require additional components that restrict compression.

Innovation Solution

A compressible sole made of flexible materials with a mesh or grid structure, allowing for a seamless transition between compressed and uncompressed states while maintaining thickness, and featuring ventilation paths and rotational folding mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a traditional rigid sole structure is used, then structural stability is maintained, but compression and storage efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstorage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sole is divided into multiple compressible cells arranged in a grid pattern, where each cell can independently compress and expand. This segmentation allows the sole to maintain structural stability when expanded while enabling significant volume reduction when compressed for storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sole structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic compressible form. The cells are designed to flexibly transition between expanded (stable) and compressed (storage) states, allowing the sole to adapt its volume while maintaining structural integrity in both states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If a solid non-porous sole material is used, then structural strength is maintained, but ventilation and flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidventilation and flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sole incorporates a porous cellular structure with open cells that provide ventilation pathways while maintaining structural strength. The cell walls are designed to be sufficiently strong to support the foot while the open cellular architecture allows air circulation and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If additional components and joinery mechanisms are added to stabilize the sole, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity and compression freedom deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of components and joinery

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The structural stability function is merged into the cellular structure itself rather than requiring separate joinery components. The cell walls and their interconnections provide both structural support and compression capability, eliminating the need for additional stabilizing components and simplifying the overall design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Volume of moving object

If the sole is designed to compress fully, then storage efficiency is improved, but thickness maintenance and ventilation paths deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidthickness maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The sole design allows dynamic transition between fully compressed (storage) and fully expanded (functional) states. The cellular structure is engineered to maintain uniform thickness when expanded for ventilation and foot support, while enabling complete compression for storage without permanent deformation.

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

Enables efficient storage and ventilation by maintaining sole thickness and allowing multiple soles to be stacked, while providing enhanced flexibility and ventilation.

Implementation Method 1

A compressible sole made of flexible materials with a mesh or grid structure, allowing for a seamless transition between compressed and uncompressed states while maintaining thickness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3934470B1Compressible sole of a footwear

Publication Date: 2026.03.04 DANIEL NIR

Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2
Figure 3A

AI summary

A compressible footwear that may include a compressible sole and a compressible upper part that is mechanically coupled to the compressible sole. The compressible sole consisting essentially of multiple compressible cells that are made of a flexible material and have top openings and bottom openings. The multiple compressible cells span over at least a majority of the compressible sole and are configured to undergo a compression while substantially maintaining a thickness of the compressible sole.