Dynamic Edge Cavity Midsole for Lateral Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Footwear midsoles provide uniform cushioning and support across various activities, including walking, running, and banking, which can lead to reduced stability and increased cushioning during side-to-side movements, making it difficult for athletes to quickly change direction.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an elongate groove with a V-shaped cross-section in the midsole and securing a V-shaped elongate insert along its outer edge, which forms an elongate spring, reduces cushioning in the direction of banking forces while increasing support, enhancing the wearer's ground feel and response time during lateral movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional midsole is used that provides uniform cushioning across all activities, then cushioning comfort is improved, but stability and response time during banking maneuvers deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecushioning comfortVSAvoidstability during banking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is designed with different properties in different regions: the forefoot region contains a compressed foam material providing less cushioning, while the heel region contains an uncompressed foam material providing more cushioning. This local differentiation allows the midsole to provide appropriate cushioning for each specific activity region, improving overall performance across multiple activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The midsole incorporates a dynamic structure where the foam material can be selectively compressed or uncompressed based on the activity. The forefoot portion is configured to compress during banking maneuvers, reducing cushioning and improving stability, while the heel portion remains uncompressed to maintain cushioning comfort during other activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If cushioning is increased for comfort during walking and running, then comfort is improved, but response time during direction changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecushioning comfortVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is designed with different properties in different regions: the forefoot region contains a compressed foam material providing less cushioning, while the heel region contains an uncompressed foam material providing more cushioning. This local differentiation allows the midsole to provide appropriate cushioning for each specific activity region, improving overall performance across multiple activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The forefoot portion of the midsole is partially compressed to reduce cushioning in the forefoot region, which is sufficient to improve response time during direction changes without completely eliminating cushioning. This partial compression provides the right balance between comfort and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the midsole material is made softer to enhance cushioning, then cushioning comfort is improved, but stability during lateral movements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecushioning comfortVSAvoidstability during lateral movements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is designed with different properties in different regions: the forefoot region contains a compressed foam material providing less cushioning, while the heel region contains an uncompressed foam material providing more cushioning. This local differentiation allows the midsole to provide appropriate cushioning for each specific activity region, improving overall performance across multiple activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The foam material properties are changed by applying different compression levels to different regions. The forefoot foam is compressed to a lower density state, reducing its cushioning properties and improving stability, while the heel foam maintains a higher density state for comfort. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between softness and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves the wearer's ability to quickly change direction during banking maneuvers by reducing cushioning in the direction of applied forces and increasing support, thereby enhancing stability and response time.

Implementation Method 1

an elongate insert with a V-shaped cross-section may be secured to the groove. The insert may form an elongate spring on a medial portion, heel portion, and lateral portion of the midsole. The support provided by the elongate insert may be particularly advantageous during 'banking'

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11109643B2Article of footwear with dynamic edge cavity midsole

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 NIKE INC

AI summary

An article of footwear that offers different levels of cushioning and support depending on the direction of force applied to the midsole. An outer edge of the midsole includes an inwardly-extending elongate groove with a V-shaped cross-sectional configuration. An elongate insert having a V-shaped cross-sectional configuration is secured to the elongate groove. The insert forms a spring that dynamically alters the character of the support provided by the footwear to a foot of a wearer during “banking” or side-to-side movement.