Corrugated Support Plate for Shoe Sole Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shoe sole structures with high cushioning properties tend to cause overpronation due to insufficient rigidity, leading to instability in the calcaneus and sustentaculum tali areas, resulting in chronic pain and running disorders.
Innovation Solution
A sole structure featuring a first and second midsole portion with a support plate having a corrugated base portion and vertically branched support portions, providing enhanced rigidity and cushioning, particularly at the sustentaculum tali area, to stabilize the foot and reduce overpronation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sole structure has higher cushioning properties to attenuate impact upon grounding, then the cushioning performance is improved, but the rigidity at the sustentaculum tali becomes insufficient, causing instability and overpronation
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is designed with non-uniform thickness, featuring a first thickness in the hindfoot portion and a second thickness (greater than the first) at the sustentaculum tali. This local variation in thickness provides enhanced rigidity precisely where needed to prevent overpronation, while maintaining adequate cushioning in other areas of the heel.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole structure combines multiple materials with different properties: a soft elastic material for the midsole portions to provide cushioning, and a harder support plate material (with higher modulus of elasticity) to provide structural stability at the sustentaculum tali. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of cushioning and stability.
2Reliability
If the sole structure has higher cushioning properties to attenuate impact upon grounding, then the cushioning performance is improved, but the rigidity of the entire calcaneus becomes insufficient, promoting overpronation
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate incorporates a localized thickening at the sustentaculum tali region, creating a rigid anchor point within the calcaneus area. This local reinforcement provides the necessary structural strength to prevent excessive pronation while preserving cushioning properties in the broader heel region.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of soft elastic midsole material and harder support plate material creates a composite structure that delivers both cushioning and structural strength. The support plate acts as an internal scaffold that maintains calcaneus rigidity without compromising the overall cushioning performance of the sole.
Data Source
AI summary
A sole structure includes a first midsole portion, a second midsole portion disposed below the first midsole part, and a support plate stacked between the first midsole portion and the second midsole portion, disposed at a location corresponding at least to a hindfoot portion, and having a higher rigidity than the first midsole portion and the second midsole portion. The support plate includes: a base portion having a corrugated shape with at least one peak and at least one valley; and first and second support portions having a corrugated shape and branched apart from each other from a peripheral edge portion located on an inner side of the base portion toward the first midsole portion and the second midsole portion, respectively. The valley of the second support portion is disposed at a location corresponding to a sustentaculum tali.