Fluid-Filled Footwear Sole Chamber for Cushioning and Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sole structures in footwear lack advancements in flexibility, stiffness, rigidity, tensile response, and force attenuation properties, despite the need for improved performance in these areas.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a fluid-filled chamber with a tensile member into the sole structure, comprising a first and second barrier sheet and a tensile layer, where the sheets are melded and sealed to form a fluid-filled chamber that is then shaped to create multiple fluid-filled chambers, providing adjustable cushioning and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional sole structure is used, then the basic support function is provided, but the flexibility, stiffness, and force attenuation properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a fluid-filled chamber within the sole structure to provide cushioning and force attenuation. The fluid (gas or liquid) within the chamber responds to applied forces through compression and expansion, enhancing the sole's ability to attenuate forces while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a tensile member that can change its mechanical properties (stiffness, flexibility) based on the state of the fluid within the chamber. By adjusting fluid pressure, volume, or type, the sole structure's force attenuation and support characteristics can be modified without changing the fundamental structure.
2Strength
If the sole structure is made more rigid to improve support, then stiffness increases, but flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid-filled chamber with tensile member creates a dynamic system where the sole structure can adapt its stiffness and flexibility characteristics. The fluid allows the chamber to expand and contract in response to loading conditions, providing rigidity when needed for support and flexibility when needed for comfort and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of fluid (gas or liquid), chamber walls, and tensile member creates a composite system with tunable mechanical properties. This composite structure integrates elements with different characteristics to achieve both stiffness and flexibility simultaneously, depending on the operating conditions.
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
Enhances the sole structure's flexibility, stiffness, and force attenuation properties, offering improved comfort and performance by utilizing a fluid-filled chamber with a tensile member to provide customizable cushioning and support.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid-filled chamber with a tensile member... providing adjustable cushioning and support
Implementation Method 2
an upper tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the upper barrier portion, and a lower tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the lower barrier portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
AI summary
A fluid-filled chamber is provided. The fluid-filled chamber comprises: a first barrier sheet formed from a first polymer material; a second barrier sheet attached to the first barrier sheet and formed from a second polymer material, the first barrier sheet and the second barrier sheet cooperating to define an internal cavity; and a tensile member disposed within the internal cavity and formed from a third polymer material, the tensile member including a plurality of tensile elements each having a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction from the first barrier sheet to the second barrier sheet; said fluid-filled chamber characterized in that it further comprises a first weld that attaches the first barrier sheet, the second barrier sheet, and the tensile member together by mixing the first polymer material of the first barrier sheet, the second polymer material of second barrier sheet, and the third polymer material of the tensile member.