Footwear Sole Structure With Notched Bladder for Targeted Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sole structures for footwear lack targeted support and response for specific movements and activities, failing to provide adequate cushioning and flexibility during various activities.
Innovation Solution
A sole structure featuring a cushioning member with a recessed portion and projection, an outsole with a protrusion, and a bladder disposed between them, where the bladder includes a notch and is asymmetrically shaped to enhance flexibility and support, with a jogged peripheral seam for stability and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional sole structure with midsole and outsole is used, then basic cushioning and support are provided, but targeted support and response for specific movements and activities are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The sole structure is divided into multiple functional segments: a midsole with a bladder, an outsole with a protrusion, and a cushioning member with recessed portion. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function (cushioning, support, flexibility) thereby providing targeted support for different movements while maintaining overall system manageability
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sole structure have different properties: the bladder provides localized cushioning in specific areas, the protrusion creates targeted flexibility points, and the recessed portion allows for localized compression. This local differentiation enables the sole to provide adaptive support for specific movements and activities
2Ease of operation
If a continuous bladder structure is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but flexibility for various movements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is divided into multiple chambers or segments within the midsole, allowing independent movement and compression of each segment. This segmentation maintains overall structural integrity while enabling flexibility and adaptability during various movements and activities
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder structure is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing it to deform and adapt its shape in response to applied forces during movement. The bladder can compress, expand, and change configuration to accommodate different movement patterns while maintaining structural integrity
3Adaptability or versatility
If symmetric sole structure is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but targeted support for different foot regions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sole structure employs asymmetric design elements including a bladder with non-uniform chamber distribution, a protrusion positioned at a specific location, and a recessed portion with asymmetric geometry. This asymmetry enables targeted cushioning and support for different regions of the foot while accommodating specific movement patterns, with manufacturing processes designed to efficiently produce these asymmetric features
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 provides enhanced flexibility, support, and targeted cushioning, improving the overall comfort and responsiveness of the footwear during different movements.
Implementation Method 1
The midsole may include a pressurized fluid-filled chamber that compresses resiliently under an applied load to cushion the foot by attenuating ground-reaction forces
Implementation Method 2
The projection of the cushioning member and the protrusion of the outsole are at least partially disposed within the notch of the bladder
Data Source
AI summary
A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure including a cushioning member that includes a recessed portion and a projection. The sole structure also includes an outsole coupled to the cushioning member and including a protrusion. The sole structure further includes a bladder disposed between the cushioning member and the outsole. The bladder includes a first segment and a second segment and defines a notch between the first segment and the second segment. The notch extends from a first edge of the bladder in a direction toward a second edge of the bladder. The projection of the cushioning member and the protrusion of the outsole are at least partially disposed within the notch of the bladder.