Footwear Sole Structure With Split Air Chambers and Midfoot Shank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear technologies lack an efficient and flexible design for integrating a bladder assembly that provides a cushioning and support system for the sole structure.
Innovation Solution
A sole structure for footwear incorporating a bladder assembly with a first and second fluid-filled chamber, each defined by barrier layers and a tensile member, and a chassis with grooves and wings to accommodate and support the chambers, enhancing cushioning and support across the forefoot and heel regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a fluid-filled bladder is used in the midsole to provide cushioning, then cushioning performance is improved, but the ability to independently control pressure distribution in different regions (forefoot and heel) is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The single fluid-filled bladder is divided into two separate bladders: a first bladder for the forefoot region and a second bladder for the heel region. This segmentation allows independent pressurization and control of each region, enabling customized cushioning and support characteristics for different parts of the foot while maintaining the benefits of fluid-filled cushioning in each zone
2Strength
If a rigid plate system is added to overlay the fluid-filled bladder to enhance support, then structural support is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis and plate system are merged into a single integrated component formed from a unitary piece of material. This integration eliminates the need for separate attachment operations between multiple plate components and the bladder assembly, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the structural support and stability functions of the plate system
3Reliability
If multiple separate components (bladder assembly, chassis, plate system) are used to provide both cushioning and support, then functional performance is improved, but ease of manufacture is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis and plate system are combined into a single unitary component that can be manufactured as one piece and then integrated with the bladder assembly. This reduces the number of separate components from three (chassis, plate, bladder) to two (integrated chassis-plate, bladder), simplifying manufacturing processes and assembly operations while preserving all necessary functional characteristics
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 enhanced cushioning and support by allowing independent control of pressure distribution across the sole structure, improving comfort and performance.
Implementation Method 1
compressing resiliently under an applied load to cushion the foot by attenuating ground-reaction forces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder assembly having a first fluid- filled chamber spaced apart from a second fluid-filled chamber and a chassis. The chassis includes a plate. The plate has a bottom surface configured to accommodate the first fluid-filled chamber and the second fluid-filled chamber. The chassis further includes a shank configured to be seated to a mid-foot portion of the bottom surface of the plate and separate the first fluid-filled chamber from the second fluid filled chamber.