Footwear Sole Structure With Movable Proprioceptive Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sole structures in athletic footwear lack effective proprioceptive elements that enhance the wearer's awareness of the position of an object on the sole, limiting performance in ball sports.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a midsole body with angled holes and proprioceptive elements that translate relative to the midsole body under force, providing sensory feedback and enhancing proprioceptive feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional sole structures are used, then the footwear provides basic cushioning and support, but the wearer lacks proprioceptive feedback about object position on the sole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates movable proprioceptive elements within the sole structure that can dynamically respond to applied forces. These elements translate or shift position when subjected to loads from objects placed on the sole, providing tactile feedback to the wearer about the position and nature of objects without requiring complex electronic sensors or processors.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole structure utilizes the natural mechanical response of the proprioceptive elements to applied forces to generate feedback information. The elements automatically translate in response to object placement, eliminating the need for external power sources, control systems, or complex processing mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If proprioceptive elements are added to enhance ball control, then the wearer's awareness of object position improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the sole structure by incorporating elements with specific material properties and geometric configurations. These parameter changes enable the proprioceptive elements to respond predictably to forces of different magnitudes and directions, providing precise position information while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole structure is divided into functional zones with different proprioceptive element configurations. This segmentation allows manufacturers to produce different regions with tailored characteristics for detecting specific types of forces or positions, while each region can be manufactured using standardized processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sets of holes with different orientations are created in the midsole, then the sole provides enhanced proprioceptive feedback in different directions, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sets of holes with predetermined orientations during the initial sole construction phase. These pre-configured hole patterns enable the insertion of proprioceptive elements that are oriented to detect forces in specific directions, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing adjustments or complex precision machining.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole structure employs asymmetric hole configurations where holes are oriented at different angles and positions to detect forces in multiple directions. This asymmetric arrangement provides directional sensitivity while using standard manufacturing techniques to create the non-uniform pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an outsole having an outsole proximal surface and an outsole distal surface opposite the outsole proximal surface. The outsole defines a plurality of through-holes. The sole structure further includes a plurality of proprioceptive elements, each centered in and translatable within a different through-hole of the plurality of through-holes to enhance proprioception. The plurality of through-holes are aligned with the plurality of proprioceptive elements such that each of the plurality of proprioceptive elements extends from the different through-hole and is exposed at the outsole distal surface.