Footwear Support Column Plate Segmentation for Wear and Flexibility

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional athletic footwear sole assemblies face challenges in providing adequate wear resistance while maintaining flexibility, particularly in the support columns that absorb ground reaction forces and control foot motions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a plate that bisects the support columns, with a top and bottom plate secured to elastomeric support columns, allowing the bottom plate to extend through at least one support column, thereby dividing it into portions and enhancing wear resistance while maintaining flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the support columns are made more rigid to improve wear resistance, then outsole wear capabilities improve, but flexibility and shock attenuation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutsole wear capabilitiesVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support column is divided into multiple segments by inserting a plate through it, creating an upper portion and a lower portion. This segmentation allows the column to maintain structural integrity for wear resistance while preserving flexibility through the segmented configuration that can still deform during ambulatory activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support column combines elastomeric material with a plate insert to create a composite structure. The elastomeric material provides flexibility and shock attenuation, while the plate insert provides wear resistance and structural stability, achieving both improved wear capabilities and maintained flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the support columns are made more rigid to improve wear resistance, then outsole wear capabilities improve, but shock attenuation and energy absorption are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutsole wear capabilitiesVSAvoidshock attenuation and energy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The support column is divided into multiple segments by inserting a plate through it, creating an upper portion and a lower portion. This segmentation allows the column to maintain structural integrity for wear resistance while preserving flexibility through the segmented configuration that can still deform during ambulatory activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support column combines elastomeric material with a plate insert to create a composite structure. The elastomeric material provides flexibility and shock attenuation, while the plate insert provides wear resistance and structural stability, achieving both improved wear capabilities and maintained flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite 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

This configuration improves outsole wear capabilities while ensuring significant flexibility from the support columns, optimizing shock attenuation and energy absorption for various ambulatory activities.

Implementation Method 1

The midsole is the primary sole assembly element that imparts cushioning and controls foot motions. Suitable polymer foam materials for the midsole include ethylvinylacetate or polyurethane that compress resiliently under an applied load to attenuate ground reaction forces.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilient compression: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The polymer foam materials of the midsole may also absorb energy when compressed during ambulatory activities.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS7493708B2Article of footwear with plate dividing a support column

Publication Date: 2009.02.24 NIKE INC

AI summary

An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole secured to the upper, and a support assembly secured to the midsole. The support assembly includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a plurality of elastomeric support columns secured to the top plate and the bottom plate. The bottom plate extends through at least one of the support columns such that at least a portion of the respective support column extends outwardly from the bottom plate. An outsole is secured to the bottom plate.