Footwear Arch Support via Midsole Opening and Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear fails to provide adequate arch support, as it is static and does not allow the arch of the foot to properly flex, leading to inadequate fit and performance issues due to the upper being bonded to a thick midsole, resulting in weight and dampening effects.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a midsole with recesses and a central opening, allowing the upper to wrap around the arch, with a support member extending through the midsole to provide adjustable arch support and flexibility, enabling the arch to flex naturally during walking and running.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the upper is bonded to a thick midsole via various layers of cushioning and glue, then the footwear provides structural support and cushioning, but the footwear becomes heavy and dampens the performance of the arch
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear is divided into separate components: the upper, midsole, and support member are not bonded together but rather work as independent yet coordinated elements. The upper is disconnected from the midsole in the arch region, allowing each component to perform its function without the weight penalty of extensive bonding materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the traditional bonding layers (glue and cushioning layers) that connect the upper to the midsole. Instead, the support member extends through the midsole to provide arch support directly, eliminating the need for heavy bonding materials while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If the upper is bonded to a thick midsole via various layers of cushioning and glue, then the footwear provides cushioning, but the footwear dampens and stifies the performance of the arch
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear structure is segmented to allow independent movement of the upper and midsole. The discontinuous connection in the arch region enables the upper to flex and move independently, maintaining arch flexibility while the midsole provides cushioning support.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding layers that would restrict arch movement are removed. The support member extends through the midsole to provide necessary support without creating a rigid bond, allowing the arch to flex naturally while still receiving cushioning when needed.
3Device complexity
If conventional footwear provides arch support through a static design, then the footwear structure is simple, but the footwear fails to enable the arch to function fully and adapt to different users
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear transitions from a static bonded structure to a dynamic system where the upper and midsole can move relative to each other. The support member extends through the midsole to provide adaptive arch support that responds to the natural movement and shape of the user's arch, enabling full arch function while accommodating different users.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved article of footwear includes a midsole, an upper, and a support member. The midsole of the footwear contains a forefoot region, a heel region, a middle region. The midsole contains a medial recess and a lateral recess in the sidewall, and a central opening in the bottom surface, where the recesses and the central opening are in fluid communication with one another. The upper of the footwear is disposed on the midsole, but the bottom surface of the upper that is proximate to the central opening, the medial recess, and the lateral recess of the midsole is exposed. A support member is disposed on the bottom surface of the upper proximate to the central opening of the midsole. The support member is configured to extend from the bottom surface of the upper through the central opening of the midsole.