Footwear Sole Plate with Segmented Legs and Sidewall Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sole assemblies face challenges in balancing comfort, support, energy return, and durability due to the rigidity of plates used in footwear, which makes it difficult to develop a sole assembly that provides adequate support while remaining comfortable for daily use.
Innovation Solution
A sole assembly design featuring a midsole with sidewall channels in the forefoot and heel, and a plate disposed below the midsole, with forefoot and heel channels enhancing compression and independence between lateral and medial sides, along with an outsole with central channels for improved support and energy return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a relatively rigid plate is incorporated into the sole assembly to provide enhanced support, energy return and durability, then support, energy return and durability are improved, but comfort deteriorates due to the rigidity making it difficult to remain comfortable for day to day use
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is segmented into multiple legs (forefoot legs and heel legs) that extend along the medial and lateral sides, creating independent compression zones. This segmentation allows different regions of the plate to flex independently, providing both support through the rigid plate structure and comfort through localized flexibility in each leg region.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole assembly incorporates channels at specific locations (forefoot and heel regions) to create localized compression zones, while the arch region maintains its natural compression characteristics. This local quality modification allows the plate to provide enhanced support where needed while maintaining comfort in other areas through differentiated mechanical properties.
2Ease of operation
If the stiffness of the plate is reduced to improve flexibility and comfort, then comfort is improved, but support, energy return and durability are defeated
Solution Approach 1:
The plate design incorporates channels that dynamically adjust compression characteristics during use. The forefoot and heel channels enhance compression in specific regions during weight-bearing activities, while the plate maintains its overall rigidity for support. The dynamic compression response provides both flexibility for comfort and sufficient rigidity for support and energy return.
3Ease of operation
If sidewall channels are added to enhance forefoot and heel compression, then comfort and support are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The channels are positioned in the sidewalls of the plate, utilizing the vertical dimension to create compression zones without adding horizontal complexity. This dimensional approach allows the channels to enhance compression in the forefoot and heel regions while maintaining a relatively simple overall plate structure that can be manufactured using standard processes.
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 achieves a balance between comfort, support, and energy return by allowing the plate to bend and store energy, providing enhanced support and durability through the configuration of the midsole channels and plate legs, while maintaining flexibility and independence between lateral and medial sides.
Implementation Method 1
A typical plate is configured to resiliently bend during normal use to, among other things, store energy during heel strike and return it to the wearer during toe off
Implementation Method 2
The sidewall channels in the forefoot and the heel may be of sufficient depth to enhance forefoot and heel compression
Data Source
AI summary
A sole assembly for an article of footwear having a midsole defining a sidewall channel in the forefoot and a sidewall channel in the heel. The forefoot and heel channels terminate at the arch. The sole assembly includes a plate disposed below the midsole. The plate may include an arch portion, forefoot legs extending along the medial and lateral sides of the forefoot and heel legs extending along the medial and lateral sides of the heel. The medial forefoot leg may extend almost the full length of the forefoot. The lateral forefoot leg may extend about half-way through the forefoot. The lateral heel leg may extend almost the full length of the heel. The medial heel leg may extend about half-way through the heel. The sole assembly may include an outsole with slots in the heel and forefoot. The slots may terminate short of the peripheral edge.