Footwear Cleat Segmentation for Multi-Surface Traction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing footwear technologies lack the ability to provide maximum traction on various types of ground surfaces, as they do not adequately address the differences in surface types with varying cleat sizes, heights, and rigidities.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates three distinct cleat member sets with different diameters, heights, and rigidities, arranged in a discontinuous grid pattern on the sole structure, each optimized for specific types of surfaces, allowing for maximum traction without the need for multiple footwear pairs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single cleat design is used, then the structure is simple, but traction on various ground surfaces is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction on various ground surfacesVSAvoidcleat structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleat structure is segmented into three distinct sets (first, second, and third cleat member sets) with different sizes, heights, and rigidities. Each set is optimized for specific ground surface types, allowing the footwear to adapt to various surfaces without requiring multiple separate footwear items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sole structure have different cleat configurations. The first cleat member set has smaller diameter and greater rigidity for soft surfaces, the second set has intermediate properties for firm surfaces, and the third set has larger diameter and lesser rigidity for synthetic surfaces. This local differentiation optimizes traction for each surface type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple footwear pairs are used for different surfaces, then optimal traction is achieved, but user convenience decreases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface-specific optimizationVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The footwear incorporates multiple cleat member sets with different properties within a single footwear unit, making it universally adaptable to multiple ground surface types (soft natural grass, firm natural grass, and synthetic turf). This eliminates the need for users to switch between multiple footwear pairs while maintaining optimal traction for each surface type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of stationary object

If larger diameter cleats are used, then penetration depth increases, but contact area decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration depthVSAvoidcontact area

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cleat structure is divided into three sets with progressively larger diameters (first set has smallest diameter, second set has intermediate diameter, third set has largest diameter). Each set is strategically positioned and configured to provide appropriate penetration depth and contact area for specific ground surface types, resolving the trade-off between penetration and contact area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8286371B2Article of footwear with cleat members

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 NIKE INC

AI summary

An article of footwear including three cleat member sets is disclosed. A first cleat member set is tuned to provide maximum traction on soft natural grass. A second cleat member set is tuned to provide maximum traction on firm natural grass. A third cleat member set is tuned to provide maximum traction on artificial turf. The sizes, material properties and arrangement of each cleat member set is varied.