Footwear Sole Structure with Nested Cushioning for Low Height

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sole structures in footwear do not effectively balance cushioning and support while maintaining a low overall height, leading to suboptimal performance and comfort.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a chassis plate with a forefoot cushioning element and an outsole plate featuring a recess to house the cushioning element, along with a moderator plate and gasket, which enhances cushioning and support while maintaining a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional sole structures are used, then the overall height can be maintained low, but cushioning and support effectiveness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecushioning and support effectivenessVSAvoidoverall height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning element is nested within a recess in the outsole plate, allowing the cushioning component to be housed inside the existing sole structure without adding external height. This nesting approach enables improved cushioning effectiveness while maintaining the low overall height constraint of the footwear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushioning element extends in the vertical dimension within the recess, utilizing the depth space of the outsole plate rather than increasing the external height. This dimensional approach allows cushioning improvement without compromising the low-profile design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If cushioning elements are added to improve comfort, then cushioning effectiveness increases, but the overall height of the footwear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidoverall height

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning element is integrated within the outsole plate recess, allowing comfort enhancement without increasing the external height. The cushioning component is nested inside the existing structural boundaries, maintaining the low-profile appearance while providing improved comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushioning element is positioned specifically in the forefoot region where it is most needed for comfort, rather than uniformly distributing cushioning throughout the sole. This localized approach provides comfort enhancement without requiring increased overall height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 characteristics without increasing the overall height of the footwear, enhancing user performance and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

The midsole provides cushioning for the foot and is, generally, at least partially formed from a polymer foam material that compresses resiliently under an applied load to cushion the foot by attenuating ground-reaction forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilient compression: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4602971A1Article of footwear having a sole structure

Publication Date: 2025.08.20 NIKE INNOVATE CV

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AI summary

The claimed invention relates to a sole structure for an article of footwear. The sole structure comprises a forefoot region and a heel region, a chassis plate, an outsole plate extending from the forefoot region to the heel region and the outsole plate including a recess disposed in a top surface, and a cushioning element disposed within the recess. The chassis plate is configured to cover the cushioning element.