Shock-absorbing elastic sheet with semispherical protrusions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shoes with shock-absorbing and breathing functions require a large number of elastic balls, leading to thick sole inserts that compromise fashionability and foot comfort, particularly in applications like women's shoes where aesthetics are crucial.

Innovation Solution

A shock-absorbing elastic sheet with a flat base and semispherical protrusions, integrated with breathing holes, providing a shock-absorbing and breathing function without the need for extensive elastic ball layers, which can be molded and cut into desired configurations for use in sole inserts or directly attached to inner soles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastic balls are packed in layers to provide shock-absorbing function, then shock-absorbing capability is improved, but the thickness of the sole insert increases compromising fashionability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock-absorbing capabilityVSAvoidthickness of sole insert

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin flexible sheet with semispherical protrusions instead of thick layers of elastic balls. The sheet maintains shock-absorbing functionality while being thin enough not to compromise the aesthetic appearance of the shoe, directly resolving the contradiction between shock-absorbing capability and sole insert thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible sheet contains a plurality of holes formed therein, creating a porous structure that enables air circulation for breathability while maintaining the thin profile. This porous design allows the material to provide both shock-absorbing function and breathing function without increasing thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If elastic balls are packed in layers within elastic case, then shock-absorbing function is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and requires large amount of material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock-absorbing functionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated flexible sheet structure. The sheet simultaneously provides shock-absorbing function through its semispherical protrusions, breathing function through its holes, and eliminates the need for separate elastic cases and multiple layers of elastic balls, thereby simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible sheet acts as a thin film structure that replaces the complex assembly of elastic cases and packed balls. This thin film approach maintains the essential shock-absorbing function while dramatically reducing structural complexity and material quantity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If elastic balls are used to provide shock-absorbing capability, then shock absorption is improved, but breathability is compromised due to lack of airflow holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock-absorbing capabilityVSAvoidbreathing function

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible sheet is designed with a plurality of holes that create a porous structure, enabling air circulation and breathability. This porous design is integrated into the shock-absorbing structure itself, allowing the material to simultaneously provide both shock-absorbing capability and breathing function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 elastic sheet effectively absorbs shocks and promotes airflow, enhancing foot comfort while maintaining a slim profile that does not detract from the shoe's aesthetic appeal, suitable for various shoe types including pumps, mules, and sandals.

Implementation Method 1

a single sheet of elastic material having a flat sheet-like base portion and a large number of semispherical protrusions integral with and projecting from one surface of the sheet-like base portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the elastic sheet is able to perform a shock-absorbing function when subjected to a force or pressure acting at an angle to the general plane of the elastic sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic Recovery: Elastic Recovery

Implementation Method 3

owing to the breathing holes, the elastic sheet is also able to perform a breathing function when it is compressed and then allowed to restore its original shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS7614163B2Shock-absorbing elastic sheet for shoes, cushion pad formed from the elastic sheet, and shoe having such cushion pad

Publication Date: 2009.11.10 FUJII TAKAO

AI summary

A shock-absorbing elastic sheet comprises a single sheet of elastic material having a flat sheet-like base portion and a large number of semispherical protrusions integral with and projecting from one surface of the flat base portion. The semispherical protrusions are arranged in direct contact with one another such that every adjacent three or more of the semispherical protrusions jointly define a valley therebetween. The sheet-like base portion has a large number of breathing holes formed therein, each of the breathing holes being located at a position corresponding to the position of one of the respective valleys. A cushion pad produced from the elastic sheet, a sole insert and a shoe in which the cushion pad is incorporated are also disclosed.