Cradled Bladder Sole Structure for Balanced Heel Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear sole structures lack an efficient and balanced combination of cushioning, support, and responsiveness, particularly in the heel region, leading to inadequate impact attenuation and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A composite midsole structure comprising a bladder with segmented barrier layers forming a chamber and conduits, supported by a chassis with a cradle and cushioning element, providing enhanced cushioning and support characteristics through a unique bladder geometry and material composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sole structures use traditional midsole materials, then manufacturing is simple, but cushioning and impact attenuation are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is divided into multiple functional layers including a top layer, bottom layer, and intermediate layer with different material compositions and properties. Each layer serves specific functions for impact attenuation, cushioning, and energy return, resolving the contradiction by achieving superior cushioning performance through segmented structure while maintaining manufacturability through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The sole structure employs composite materials combining polymeric foam materials with different densities, viscosities, and elasticity values in various layers. This composite approach enables tailored cushioning and impact attenuation characteristics in different regions of the midsole, achieving enhanced reliability without excessive complexity through systematic material composition
2Reliability
If the midsole uses a fluid-filled bladder, then cushioning is improved, but responsiveness and support balance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the midsole are assigned different material properties and bladder configurations. The intermediate layer contains the fluid-filled bladder for maximum impact attenuation, while the top and bottom layers use firmer polymeric foam materials to maintain responsiveness and support. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing enhanced cushioning where needed while preserving responsiveness in contact regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies physical parameters such as material density, viscosity, elasticity, and bladder pressure across different layers and regions. By adjusting these parameters, the design achieves optimal balance between impact attenuation and responsiveness, allowing the midsole to be softer where cushioning is prioritized and firmer where support and responsiveness are required
3Strength
If the bladder uses two barrier layers bonded together, then structural integrity is achieved, but cushioning balance and responsiveness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder barrier layers are constructed from composite polymeric materials with specific viscosity and elasticity values that provide both structural integrity and optimal cushioning characteristics. The intermediate layer material is specifically formulated to balance strength requirements with cushioning performance, resolving the contradiction between bladder integrity and cushioning balance through tailored material composition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies particular ranges for material properties including viscosity between 100-1000 Pascal-second and elasticity values of 0.3-0.7 for the bladder materials. By controlling these parameters, the design achieves the necessary structural integrity while maintaining balanced cushioning characteristics, preventing the bladder from being either too rigid or too compliant
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 solution enhances cushioning and support in the heel region, improving impact attenuation and overall comfort by balancing responsiveness and stability in the footwear.
Implementation Method 1
The midsole provides cushioning for the foot and may be partially formed from a polymer foam material that compresses resiliently under an applied load to cushion the foot by attenuating ground-reaction forces
Implementation Method 2
The midsole provides cushioning for the foot and may be partially formed from a polymer foam material that compresses resiliently under an applied load to cushion the foot by attenuating ground-reaction forces
Implementation Method 3
The midsole may incorporate a fluid-filled bladder to provide cushioning to the foot by compressing resiliently under an applied load to attenuate ground-reaction forces
Data Source
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AI summary
An aspect of the disclosure provides a sole structure for an article of footwear. The sole structure includes a cushioning element having a first material and a first rib. The sole structure further includes a cradle including a second material, attached to the cushioning element, and including a plate disposed against the cushioning element and a pair of supports including a first support extending downwardly from an anterior end of the plate and a second support extending from a posterior end of the plate, the plate including a first opening receiving the first rib. The sole structure also includes a bladder disposed within the cradle between the pair of supports. An upper barrier layer of the bladder contacts the plate.