Footwear Sole Assembly with Interlocking Ribs for Force Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear technologies lack versatility, comfort, and stability during various activities, failing to provide adequate support and traction for long periods of walking and standing while also requiring a stiff surface for pushing off effectively.
Innovation Solution
The footwear features a sole assembly with resiliently flexible members, including first and second ribs with specific angular orientations and heights, which axially support forces applied at acute angles and bend in response to normal forces, providing stability and comfort through interlocking ribs and varying resistances to deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the midsole uses foam material for cushioned support, then comfort during walking and standing is improved, but the stiffness required for effective push-off is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is segmented into multiple independent ribs (first ribs and second ribs) with different orientations and properties. The first ribs extend anteriorly at acute angles and the second ribs extend posteriorly at acute angles, creating distinct functional zones. This segmentation allows each rib to specialize in specific force directions, resolving the contradiction between cushioning comfort and push-off stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the midsole are given different mechanical properties. The first ribs have optimized geometry for supporting forces during stance phase, while the second ribs are optimized for push-off forces. The varying heights, angles, and distributions of ribs create local quality variations that simultaneously provide comfort and stiffness where needed.
2Reliability
If the sole assembly provides high traction through friction, then stability on ground surface is improved, but versatility across different activities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure transforms the static midsole into a dynamic system that adapts its mechanical response based on the direction and magnitude of applied forces. During normal walking, the ribs provide cushioning compliance, but during sprinting or push-off activities, the same ribs engage to provide stiffness. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between stability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The single integrated rib structure performs multiple functions: it provides cushioning during weight acceptance, support during stance phase, and stiffness during push-off. The interlocking first and second ribs work together to handle various force vectors, making the midsole universally applicable across different activities from walking to sprinting.
3Strength
If the rib structure remains straight under axial force, then support during thrusting is improved, but comfort during normal loading is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs exhibit asymmetric behavior based on loading direction. Under axial forces (push-off), the ribs maintain straight transverse axes to provide maximum support. Under normal vertical loading, the ribs allow transverse bending to provide comfort. This asymmetric response to different force directions resolves the contradiction between support and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib geometry is pre-configured with specific angles and heights to anticipate different loading scenarios. The acute angles of the first and second ribs are predetermined to optimize force distribution before loading occurs. This preliminary structural configuration ensures that the ribs automatically provide the appropriate mechanical response (straight or bent) based on the type of force applied.
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 design enhances comfort and stability by maintaining straight transverse axes under axial forces and bending under normal forces, offering superior support and cushioning for diverse activities, including walking and sprinting.
Implementation Method 1
The rib resiliently bends about the rib longitudinal axis in response to a second force applied substantially normal to the ground surface to make the rib transverse axis non-linear
Implementation Method 2
the rib is operable to axially support a first force applied substantially along the acute angle relative to the ground surface, and the rib transverse axis remains substantially straight in response to the first force
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear includes a sole assembly with a rib that is resiliently flexible, and the rib has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The transverse axis extends at an acute angle relative to the ground surface, and the rib includes a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, and a middle portion disposed between the first and second longitudinal ends. A height of the first and/or second longitudinal end is greater than that of the middle portion. The rib is operable to axially support a first force applied substantially along the acute angle relative to the ground surface, and the rib transverse axis remains substantially straight in response to the first force. The rib resiliently bends about the rib longitudinal axis in response to a second force applied substantially normal to the ground surface to make the rib transverse axis non-linear.