Dome Midsole Heel Structure for Running Cushioning and Lifting Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing athletic footwear designed for specific activities, such as running, often fail to provide sufficient support and stability during diverse activities like running and weightlifting, leading to insufficient comfort and performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a dome-shaped support member in the midsole, which provides vertical stability during weightlifting and allows sheering during running, combined with a foam insert and outsole design for enhanced cushioning and support across various activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a midsole is designed for running with cushioning and flexibility, then comfort during running is improved, but stability during weightlifting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is segmented into multiple functional zones: a heel portion with a dome-shaped support member for stability during weightlifting, and a forefoot portion with different material properties for cushioning and flexibility during running. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the midsole have different material properties and structural characteristics. The heel portion incorporates a rigid dome-shaped support member made of thermoplastic polyurethane for stability, while the forefoot portion uses softer foam materials for cushioning. This local differentiation of quality enables the midsole to provide appropriate characteristics for each activity type.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a midsole is designed for weightlifting with rigid support, then stability during weightlifting is improved, but cushioning during running deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is divided into distinct functional segments where the heel portion contains the rigid dome-shaped support member for weightlifting stability, while the forefoot portion incorporates softer, more compliant materials for running cushioning. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing activity-specific properties in the appropriate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole exhibits spatial variation in material properties: the heel region has high rigidity due to the thermoplastic polyurethane dome structure, while the forefoot region has lower rigidity and higher cushioning characteristics. This local quality differentiation allows the shoe to excel at both weightlifting and running without compromise.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a dome-shaped support member is added to the midsole, then stability during weightlifting is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dome-shaped support member is integrated directly into the midsole structure as a unified component rather than being a separate attachment. The support member is molded as part of the midsole assembly, combining the cushioning function of the midsole material with the structural support function of the dome shape into a single integrated element.
Solution Approach 2:
The dome-shaped support member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides vertical stability during weightlifting, maintains the arch structure of the foot, and works in conjunction with the foam insert to provide controlled compression. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
4Ease of operation
If a foam insert is added below the support member, then cushioning is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam insert is combined with the dome-shaped support member and midsole into a single integrated assembly. The foam is injected into the cavity formed by the dome structure during the molding process, creating a unified component that eliminates the need for separate assembly steps for attaching the foam insert.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity for the foam insert is pre-formed as part of the dome-shaped support member structure before the foam injection process. This preliminary formation of the cavity ensures proper positioning and shape of the foam insert without requiring additional machining or assembly operations after the main molding process.
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 dome-shaped support member enhances comfort and stability by resisting vertical loads during weightlifting while allowing midsole sheering during running, providing optimal cushioning and support for diverse athletic activities.
Implementation Method 1
a foam insert is disposed below the support member
Implementation Method 2
allows midsole sheering during running
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear includes an upper and a midsole coupled to the upper. The midsole includes a cavity formed in a heel portion of the midsole, and the cavity has an interior surface. The article of footwear includes a dome-shaped support member disposed within the cavity, and a foam insert disposed below the support member. A top surface of the dome-shaped support member abuts the interior surface of the cavity of the midsole.