Footwear Sole Structure With Bladder-Chassis Cushioning Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sole structures for footwear lack optimal cushioning and support, particularly in areas like the metatarsophalangeal joint, and do not effectively distribute impact forces across the footbed.
Innovation Solution
A sole structure with a composite midsole comprising a bladder supported within a chassis, featuring a bladder with barrier layers and protrusions, and a chassis with cushioning elements, providing enhanced cushioning and support by allowing independent movement of upper and lower cushioning elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sole structures use separate cushioning and support elements, then manufacturing is simpler, but cushioning effectiveness and responsiveness are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cushioning element and support element into a single integrated sole structure. The cushioning element includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are substantially contiguous, eliminating the need for separate support elements while maintaining both cushioning and support functions. This integration improves cushioning effectiveness and responsiveness without significantly complicating manufacturing.
2Ease of operation
If the sole structure uses an integrated cushioning element design, then responsiveness is enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
While the cushioning element is integrated, it is segmented into an upper portion and a lower portion that are substantially contiguous. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing processes while maintaining the integrated structure's responsiveness. The upper portion can be manufactured and positioned separately, then joined to the lower portion, which helps manage manufacturing precision requirements.
3Ease of operation
If conventional bladders use two barrier layers sealed together, then structural integrity is maintained, but cushioning responsiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is formed from a flexible membrane material that provides both structural integrity and responsiveness. The membrane material is selected to be sufficiently strong to maintain bladder integrity while being flexible enough to allow rapid compression and expansion for responsive cushioning. This eliminates the need for rigid sealed barrier layers while maintaining both strength and responsiveness.
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 solution provides improved cushioning and support, especially at the metatarsophalangeal joint, by distributing impact forces effectively and allowing for lateral compliance, enhancing comfort and stability during various foot movements.
Implementation Method 1
designed with an emphasis on balancing support for the foot and cushioning characteristics that relate to responsiveness as the bladder resiliently compresses under an applied load to cushion the foot by attenuating ground-reaction forces
Implementation Method 2
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
Data Source
AI summary
A sole structure for an article of footwear defines a footbed and includes a chassis having a lower cushioning element including an upper side and a bottom side disposed on an opposite side from the upper side, the lower cushioning element including one or more apertures extending from the upper side to the bottom side. A bladder is disposed adjacent to the upper side of the lower cushioning element and an outsole is disposed adjacent to the bottom side of the lower cushioning element and includes one or more protrusions each extending through a respective one of the one or more apertures and engaging the bladder.