Footwear Sole Stud Clusters for Traction and Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stud arrangements in footwear soles pivot under braking forces, causing discomfort and reducing traction due to uneven force distribution and ground penetration efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of V-shaped stud clusters with a primary stud and secondary studs connected by elongated elements, where the primary stud is larger and positioned at the apex of the V-shape, and secondary studs are at the ends, providing additional support and reducing pivoting, with tertiary studs for enhanced ground penetration, and varying cross-sectional shapes for different traction needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional studs are used with simple connection to the sole, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the studs pivot under braking forces causing discomfort and reducing traction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestud connection simplicityVSAvoidtraction stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stud connection system is segmented into multiple connection points distributed along the stud shaft, rather than a single connection point. This segmentation prevents pivoting by distributing the connection forces, thereby maintaining traction stability while remaining manufacturable using conventional techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple connection elements are merged into a single integrated connection structure that works together to prevent pivoting. The connection elements are positioned at different locations along the stud shaft and work collectively to provide stable anchoring to the sole, preventing the stud from pivoting under braking forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Force

If smaller studs are used, then ground penetration ability is improved, but the studs are worse at coping with forces applied to them upon ground contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveground penetration forceVSAvoidstud force承受能力
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stud structure is segmented into multiple sections with different diameters along its length. The upper portion has a larger diameter for strength and force承受能力, while the lower portion has a smaller diameter for ground penetration. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the stud have different local properties - the upper portion has larger cross-section for strength and force承受能力, while the lower portion has smaller cross-section for ground penetration. This local quality variation allows the stud to simultaneously achieve both penetration ability and force resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If studs are arranged in clusters, then force distribution is improved and push-up feeling is reduced, but the arrangement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort during useVSAvoidstud arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stud arrangement is segmented into multiple clusters rather than individual studs or a single complex structure. Each cluster contains multiple studs working together, which simplifies the overall arrangement while providing distributed force coverage. This segmentation makes the complex function achievable through simpler, modular units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP1857006B1Footwear sole
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 BERGHAUS
  • EP1857006B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP1857006B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP1857006B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A shoe sole (3,9a,10) having a bottom surface with a plurality of stud clusters (4,5,9,6,7,8,101) extending therefrom is provided, each stud cluster comprising at least two studs (41,42,51,52,91,92,61,62,71,72,81,82) connected via one or more connection elements (43,53,93,63,73,83), wherein, to optimise the manner in which the stud clusters (4,5,6,7,8,9,101) deal with forces applied to them during ground contact, each stud cluster is oriented in accordance with a predetermined direction of gross shear motion of the stud cluster and each stud cluster is dimensioned in accordance with the distribution of forces applied to the sole during ground contact.