Fluid-Cushioned Footwear Sole for Heel Stability and Impact Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear fails to effectively absorb and stabilize the forces encountered during daily and athletic activities, leading to increased soreness and fatigue due to inadequate cushioning and support, which diminishes the wearer's incentive for further activity.
Innovation Solution
A sole system for footwear comprising a midsole with fluidly-connected sole and heel air chambers, each with distinct cushioning effects, and a heel support member for stability, using materials with varying durometers to provide dynamic cushioning and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional solid midsole materials are used, then the sole provides basic cushioning, but it cannot effectively absorb and stabilize forces during athletic activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional solid foam midsole materials with a system of air chambers and fluid-filled cavities. The midsole contains multiple air chambers (first air chamber, second air chamber, third air chamber) that can be inflated to different pressures, providing adjustable cushioning. Fluid-filled cavities connect these chambers, allowing dynamic force distribution. This pneumatic-hydraulic system significantly improves cushioning effectiveness and force absorption compared to solid materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole is divided into multiple separate air chambers and fluid-filled cavities rather than being a single solid structure. Each chamber can be independently inflated or pressurized to different levels, allowing localized adjustment of cushioning properties. The segmentation enables different regions of the sole to respond differently to forces, improving overall cushioning effectiveness while maintaining structural complexity through modular design.
2Ease of operation
If the midsole is made softer to improve cushioning, then comfort increases, but stability and support are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the sole are assigned different firmness levels through selective inflation of air chambers. The heel region contains air chambers that can be inflated to higher pressures for stability, while the forefoot region uses softer chambers for comfort. The fluid-filled cavities allow force redistribution, ensuring that softer regions do not compromise overall stability. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between comfort and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning and stability properties are adjusted by changing the inflation pressure of air chambers and the fluid pressure in cavities rather than changing the fundamental material composition. By varying pressure parameters, the same structural configuration can provide both soft cushioning in contact areas and firm support in stability-critical regions like the heel, resolving the comfort-stability trade-off.
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 sole system offers consistent air pressure and enhanced cushioning, supporting the foot's natural motion while stabilizing the heel, reducing fatigue and enhancing comfort during various activities.
Implementation Method 1
the first heel air chamber is disposed between the midsole and the heel support member
Implementation Method 2
a first heel air chamber bounded by the first midsole concavity and the first member concavity
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of heel air chambers are fluidly connected by a heel channel
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole coupled to the upper. The sole includes an outsole to engage the ground, a midsole disposed above the outsole to support a foot of a wearer, and a heel support member disposed between the midsole and the outsole in a heel region of the sole. The sole includes a plurality of heel air chambers bounded by the midsole and the heel support member in the heel region of the sole. The heel air chambers are fluidly connected by a heel channel. The sole includes a plurality of sole air chambers bounded by a bottom surface of the midsole and an upper surface of the outsole. The sole air chambers are arranged from the heel region of the sole to a forefoot region. The sole includes a plurality of channels fluidly connecting the plurality of sole air chambers.