Electrorheological Fluid Damping Pad for Adaptive Footwear Sole

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sole structures in footwear are often designed based on specific conditions or preferences, leading to compromises that may not satisfy individual wearer preferences or changing conditions, as they lack adjustable cushioning characteristics.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating electrically controllable damping pads within the sole structure that utilize electrorheological fluids, which increase viscosity under an electric field, allowing for adjustable firmness in specific regions by activating electrodes to modify the compressibility of the foam elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional sole structures are designed based on specific conditions or preferences, then the design can be optimized for particular activities or wearers, but the sole structure becomes less adaptable to individual variations and changing conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to individual preferences and conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of sole structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sole structure incorporates damping pads with electrorheological fluids that can dynamically change their properties in response to electrical signals. The viscosity of the ER fluid changes from low to high state when voltage is applied, allowing the sole to transition between soft and firm characteristics in real-time, thus achieving adaptability without requiring multiple fixed sole designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of viscosity in the damping pad material through electrical field application. By controlling the voltage applied to electrodes within the sole structure, the viscosity of the electrorheological fluid changes, thereby modifying the firmness and cushioning characteristics of the sole to match individual wearer preferences or activity requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If cushioning elements are sized and located based on expected movements for a particular sport, then performance for that sport is optimized, but the sole structure cannot accommodate individual variations in movement patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of individual movement variationsVSAvoidreliability of cushioning performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damping pads with electrorheological fluids provide dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the cushioning characteristics to adapt to individual movement patterns in real-time. Unlike static cushioning elements designed for specific sports, the ER fluid-based system can modify its damping properties based on actual wear conditions, ensuring reliable performance across varying activities and individual preferences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the sole structure uses fixed cushioning characteristics, then manufacturing is simpler, but the wearer cannot personalize the firmness to their preferences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of personalizationVSAvoidcomplexity of cushioning system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sole structure enables self-service personalization through user-controlled electrical switches or controllers that allow wearers to adjust the firmness of specific zones. The system responds automatically to electrical signals without requiring mechanical adjustments or complex manual configuration, making personalization simple while maintaining reasonable system complexity through integrated control circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables personalized adjustment of sole firmness in real-time, enhancing comfort and performance by selectively increasing firmness in desired areas, accommodating individual preferences and varying conditions.

Implementation Method 1

Inclined planes may be formed from a foam element and at least one electrorheological (ER) fluid. The ER fluid is contained within a chamber having a pair of upper and lower electrodes. The ER fluid may be activated by a controller to increase or decrease firmness of the inclined planes.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrorheological effect: Electrorheological Effect

Implementation Method 2

The sole structure may include one or more cushioning elements. Those cushioning elements may help to attenuate and dissipate forces on a wearer foot that may result from ground impact during walking or running.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3692851B1Sole structure with electrically controllable damping element

Publication Date: 2023.04.19 NIKE INNOVATE CV

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Figure 3A

AI summary

A sole structure (12) includes a damping pad (20). The damping pad (20) includes a chamber (28), a foam element (52) located within the chamber (28), an electrorheological fluid located within the chamber (28) and at least partially permeating the foam element (52), and a set of electrodes (35, 43) positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes (35, 43), an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid.