Concave Heel Sole Structure for Stable Standing Posture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sole structures do not effectively enable wearers to maintain a stable standing posture by overlapping the center of pressure (COP) with the center of the heel, which is crucial for activities requiring upright posture.
Innovation Solution
A sole structure with a rearfoot-side concave-shaped portion featuring a vertex region positioned at the highest point in the rearfoot region, aligning with the wearer's heel center to stabilize the COP, supported by rearfoot and midfoot ridges for three-point stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional flat sole structure is used, then the shoe is simple and easy to manufacture, but the wearer cannot stably maintain a standing posture with the center of pressure overlapping the heel center
Solution Approach 1:
The sole structure applies local quality by creating a specific concave-shaped portion only in the rearfoot region where it is needed for posture stability, while the rest of the sole maintains a relatively simple structure. The concave portion with its vertex region and surrounding ridges provides localized support to align the center of pressure with the heel center, improving standing posture stability without complicating the entire sole design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses curvature by forming a concave-shaped portion with a vertex region in the rearfoot area of the sole bottom surface. This curved geometry creates a natural guide that directs the center of pressure toward the heel center, enhancing postural stability. The curved ridges surrounding the concave portion further emphasize this directional guidance effect.
2Reliability
If a concave-shaped portion with vertex region is formed in the rearfoot region, then the center of pressure can be focused on the heel center for stable posture, but the sole structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sole structure is segmented into functional zones: a concave-shaped portion with a vertex region in the rearfoot area for posture stability, and ridges in the midfoot and forefoot regions for additional support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the concave portion focuses the center of pressure while the ridges provide structural support - thereby improving reliability without creating excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the sole structure by creating a concave-shaped portion that extends downward from the bottom surface. This three-dimensional feature allows the sole to interact with the ground in a new way, focusing the center of pressure through the vertex region while maintaining structural integrity through the surrounding ridges.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the vertex region is positioned at the highest position in the rearfoot region, then the center of pressure naturally overlaps with the heel center, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The concave-shaped portion with its vertex region creates a localized equipotential zone for the center of pressure. By positioning the vertex at the highest point in the rearfoot region, the design creates a natural convergence point where gravitational forces and structural support align, ensuring the center of pressure overlaps with the heel center. The surrounding ridges provide additional support to maintain this alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A sole structure of a shoe includes a rearfoot-side concave-shaped portion including a vertex region in a bottom surface of the sole in a rearfoot region. The vertex region is positioned at a highest position within the bottom surface of the sole in the rearfoot region and configured to be positioned at a position corresponding to a center of a heel of a wearer such that center of pressure of the wearer overlaps with the center of the heel.