Convex Sole Plate Structure for Arch and Heel Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoes with midsole plates struggle to maintain stability and prevent sinking of the arch and heel during the landing to take-off phase, especially when reducing midsole weight or hardness for shock absorption.
Innovation Solution
A shoe design featuring a mid- and rear-foot support portion in the sole, composed of a fiber-reinforced resin plate, which is convex upward in cross-section, and a midsole with varying thickness regions to enhance support and absorption, including a lower midsole with a larger heel region and an upper midsole with a smaller heel region, along with a forefoot support portion for additional stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the midsole weight or hardness is reduced to enhance shock absorbing performance, then shock absorption is improved, but stability deteriorates and sinking down of arch portion and heel occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is divided into multiple regions with different characteristics: a soft lower midsole for shock absorption and a rigid upper midsole with a plate for stability. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between shock absorption and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the midsole are given different physical properties: the lower midsole uses softer material for shock absorption while the upper midsole uses harder material with a plate structure for stability. This local differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous optimization of both shock absorption and stability.
2Weight of moving object
If the midsole is made lighter for better performance, then shock absorption is enhanced, but support capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole combines different materials with complementary properties: a lighter softer material for shock absorption and a harder material with fiber reinforcement for support. This composite structure achieves both light weight and strong support capability by leveraging the strengths of different materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole is segmented into a lower shock-absorbing layer and an upper support layer with a plate. This segmentation allows the support function to be concentrated in the upper layer while the lower layer provides lightweight shock absorption, resolving the contradiction between weight and support capability.
3Ease of operation
If the midsole is made softer for better comfort, then shock absorption is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole exhibits local quality differentiation where the lower portion is softer for comfort and shock absorption, while the upper portion with the plate is harder for structural stability. This local variation in material hardness allows simultaneous achievement of comfort and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole is segmented into a soft lower region for comfort and a hard upper region with plate for structural stability. This segmentation enables the soft lower midsole to provide comfort without compromising the overall structural stability provided by the rigid upper midsole.
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 effectively suppresses sinking of the arch and heel during landing to take-off, enhances stability, and provides stable shock absorption by evenly distributing load and promoting resilience.
Implementation Method 1
The mid- and rear-foot support portion is in a shape convex upward in a cross-section in a foot width direction
Implementation Method 2
A sole according to one aspect of this disclosure includes the plate and a midsole that forms a part of the sole. The midsole includes a lower midsole and an upper midsole connected on the lower midsole
Data Source
AI summary
A plate is used for a sole that forms a part of a shoe. The plate includes a mid- and rear-foot support portion in a shape extending from a position superimposed on a rear end portion of a metatarsal bone of a wearer of the shoe in a thickness direction of the sole to a position superimposed on a heel bone of the wearer, the mid- and rear-foot support portion supporting a midfoot portion and a rear foot portion of the wearer. The mid- and rear-foot support portion is in a shape convex upward in a cross-section in a foot width direction.