Dual Impact-Attenuation Footwear Heel for Foot Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional athletic footwear fails to adequately control foot orientation during the step cycle, leading to misorientations, premature fatigue, and increased strain on joints due to the lack of effective impact attenuation in the heel area.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a dual impact-attenuation system in the footwear, with a first impact-attenuating member in the heel portion and a second, less resistant member in the lateral heel portion, designed to provide varying levels of compression and resistance to impact forces, thereby aiding in proper foot positioning and reducing strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single uniform impact-attenuating member is used in the heel portion, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot adequately control foot orientation and reduce misorientations during the step cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The heel portion is divided into multiple impact-attenuating members with different force resistance characteristics. Specifically, the device includes a first impact-attenuating member and a second impact-attenuating member that are separate and distinct, each providing different levels of resistance to impact forces. This segmentation allows differential control of foot orientation during the step cycle while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heel portion are assigned different impact attenuation properties. The first impact-attenuating member provides a certain level of force resistance, while the second impact-attenuating member provides a different level of force resistance. This local differentiation of properties enables precise control of foot positioning and orientation during ambulatory activities.
2Reliability
If no impact-attenuation system is used, then the device complexity is minimal, but ground reaction forces are not adequately attenuated leading to fatigue and strain
Solution Approach 1:
The impact-attenuating members are pre-configured in the sole structure to provide cushioning before impact forces are applied during ambulatory activities. The members are designed with specific force resistance characteristics that anticipate and mitigate ground reaction forces before they can cause fatigue or strain to the user's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact-attenuating members may be constructed from polymer foam materials such as ethylvinylacetate or polyurethane, which are resilient and compress under applied loads. These composite material solutions provide effective impact attenuation while integrating into the existing sole structure configuration.
3Reliability
If a resilient midsole material is used to attenuate ground reaction forces, then impact attenuation is improved, but the ability to control foot orientation and reduce misorientations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient midsole is segmented into multiple impact-attenuating members with different force resistance characteristics positioned at specific locations in the heel portion. This segmentation transforms a uniform cushioning layer into a differentiated system that can both attenuate impact forces and control foot orientation through differential resistance patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific regions of the midsole are assigned different impact attenuation properties through the use of multiple members with varying force resistance. This local quality differentiation enables the system to simultaneously provide impact protection and directional control of foot movement during the step cycle.
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 dual impact-attenuation system helps in reducing misorientations, fatigue, and strain by providing tailored resistance to impact forces, enhancing comfort and reducing the risk of injury during ambulatory activities.
Implementation Method 1
a first impact-attenuating member in a heel portion of the sole structure and a second impact-attenuating member separate from the first impact-attenuating member... the first and second impact-attenuating members are designed and/or configured to provide different resistance to impact forces (e.g., when landing a step or jump)
Implementation Method 2
Suitable polymer foam materials for the midsole include ethylvinylacetate or polyurethane that compress resiliently under an applied load to attenuate ground reaction forces
Data Source
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AI summary
Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.