Footwear Sole Assembly with Nonlinear Bending Stiffness Insert Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sole assemblies in athletic footwear lack a mechanism to dynamically adjust bending stiffness in response to varying flex angles, which can lead to inadequate cushioning and motion control during different phases of foot movement.
Innovation Solution
A sole assembly featuring a sole plate with a recessed insert plate that flexes freely at lower angles and engages compressively at higher angles, combined with grooves that open and close to alter bending stiffness, utilizing resilient materials to distribute forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a sole assembly uses a fixed stiffness structure, then manufacturing is simple, but cushioning and motion control are inadequate during different phases of foot movement
Solution Approach 1:
The sole assembly incorporates an insert plate that can translate relative to the sole plate along a longitudinal axis, enabling the structure to dynamically adjust its bending stiffness based on flexion angle. This dynamic mechanism allows the sole to transition between different stiffness states during foot movement phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole assembly is divided into distinct components: a sole plate with a recess and an insert plate that can move independently within the recess. This segmentation enables differential movement and stiffness characteristics in different regions and phases of flexion.
2Strength
If the insert plate is always engaged with the sole plate, then bending stiffness is high for motion control, but cushioning is reduced during initial flexion phases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert plate is designed to translate relative to the sole plate during initial flexion phases, dynamically disengaging to reduce stiffness and provide cushioning. As flexion progresses beyond a predetermined angle, the insert plate engages with the sole plate to increase stiffness for motion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending stiffness parameter of the sole assembly changes based on the flexion angle. At lower flexion angles, the insert plate is free to move, providing lower stiffness and better cushioning. At higher flexion angles, the insert plate engages, increasing stiffness for enhanced motion control.
3Strength
If the sole assembly provides high bending stiffness throughout the entire flexion range, then motion control is improved, but cushioning during initial flexion is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The sole assembly dynamically adjusts its mechanical properties throughout the flexion range. During initial flexion, the insert plate translates freely within the recess, allowing greater deflection and cushioning force. As flexion progresses and the insert plate engages, the assembly transitions to a higher stiffness state for improved motion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole assembly exhibits different mechanical behaviors in different phases of the flexion cycle. The insert plate transitions between free movement and engaged states, creating periodic changes in stiffness that match the rhythmic nature of foot movement during walking or running.
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 design provides a nonlinear bending stiffness that adapts to different flex angles, enhancing cushioning and motion control by changing stiffness at predetermined flex angles, thereby improving the overall performance of the footwear.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient material disposed in the recess between the sole plate and the insert plate. The resilient material has a stiffness less than that of the insert plate, such that the resilient material is compressed prior to operative engagement of the insert plate with the sole plate
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a sole assembly for an article of footwear comprising: a sole plate that has a foot-facing surface with a recess in the foot-facing surface; an insert plate disposed in the recess; wherein the insert plate has an anterior end, a posterior end, and a length extending between the anterior end and the posterior end that is less than a length of the recess, and a resilient material disposed in the recess between the sole plate and at least one of the anterior end of the insert plate and the posterior end of the insert plate such that the resilient material is compressed prior to operative engagement of the insert plate with the sole plate when the sole assembly is dorsiflexed.