Footwear Midsole Fluid Bladder Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sole structures for articles of footwear with fluid-filled bladders lack optimal balance between cushioning, support, and durability, particularly under dynamic athletic movements.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a midsole with a layered arrangement that includes a fluid-filled bladder system, where the bladder is formed from barrier layers and pressurized with air, and incorporates tensile members to maintain shape under load, along with strategically designed cushioning elements and outsole materials for enhanced traction and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a fluid-filled bladder is incorporated into the midsole to provide cushioning, then cushioning performance is improved, but the structural complexity and potential failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is divided into multiple separate chambers rather than a single continuous structure. Each chamber can be independently filled with fluid and sealed, allowing the system to maintain cushioning performance while reducing the complexity of sealing and pressurization across the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder is constructed from flexible barrier layers that can be easily sealed and formed into the required shape. These thin film structures provide the necessary cushioning while maintaining flexibility and reducing the overall complexity compared to rigid alternative structures.
2Strength
If the bladder is pressurized with air to maintain shape under load, then support characteristics are improved, but the risk of leakage and durability issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bladder into multiple smaller chambers, the patent reduces the surface area and potential pathways for leakage in each individual chamber. This segmentation approach maintains the necessary pressure for support characteristics while improving overall reliability and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder is constructed from composite barrier layers with enhanced sealing properties. These multi-layer structures combine different material properties to achieve both the necessary pressure retention for support and improved resistance to leakage and degradation, thereby enhancing durability.
3Shape
If tensile members are added to the bladder to retain shape during athletic movements, then shape stability is improved, but the device complexity and potential failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tensile members are integrated into the segmented chamber structure, with each chamber containing its own reinforcing elements. This segmentation allows the shape-stabilizing function to be distributed across multiple smaller components rather than requiring a single complex tensile member system, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensile members are merged with the barrier layer structure itself, where the reinforcing elements are integrated into the walls of the chambers rather than being separate components. This merging approach maintains shape stability while reducing the number of discrete parts and potential failure points.
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 provides improved cushioning and support by effectively attenuating ground-reaction forces, while maintaining durability and traction, thus enhancing the overall performance and comfort of the footwear during various activities.
Implementation Method 1
The midsole provides cushioning for the foot and may be partially formed from a polymer foam material that compresses resiliently under an applied load to cushion the foot by attenuating ground-reaction forces
Implementation Method 2
The fluid-filled bladders are pressurized with a fluid such as air
Implementation Method 3
a polymer foam material that compresses resiliently under an applied load to cushion the foot by attenuating ground-reaction forces
Implementation Method 4
a polymer foam material that compresses resiliently under an applied load to cushion the foot
Implementation Method 5
may incorporate tensile members within the bladder to retain the shape of the bladder when compressed resiliently under applied loads
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear with an upper; and a sole structure. The sole structure has a midsole, wherein the midsole has at least one partially enclosed cavity; a first cushioning element disposed within the at least one partially enclosed cavity, wherein the cushioning element comprises a first barrier film and a second barrier film enclosing an internal volume, the first barrier film and the second barrier adjoining to form a peripheral seam; a second cushioning element disposed within the at least one partially enclosed cavity, wherein the second cushioning element includes a third barrier film and a fourth barrier film enclosing an internal volume; and an outsole, wherein the outsole has a ground-engaging surface.