Footwear Support Structure Decoupling Vertical and Transverse Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear midsoles face a trade-off between impact force attenuation and stability, with soft materials providing protection but increasing ankle instability, and existing sole structures fail to decouple vertical and transverse stiffness characteristics effectively, which is crucial for dynamic control and impact protection in high-action sports.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a support structure within the sole of footwear that includes a compression element and a torsion element, where the compression element compresses vertically and loads the torsion element, allowing for independent vertical and transverse stiffness characteristics, thereby providing enhanced impact attenuation and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If soft foam materials are used in the midsole to attenuate impact forces, then impact force attenuation is improved, but ankle stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is segmented into multiple functional layers including a foam material layer for impact attenuation and a separate stabilization layer with embedded support structures. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently - the foam absorbs vertical impact forces while the stabilization layer with rigid support elements maintains ankle stability and prevents excessive pronation.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole utilizes composite construction combining soft foam materials with stiffer support structures. The foam material provides impact attenuation while the embedded support elements (such as rigid plates or structured reinforcements) provide stability. This composite approach allows the midsole to simultaneously deliver both impact protection and ankle stability that cannot be achieved with a single material.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If midsole thickness is increased to provide better impact protection, then impact force attenuation is improved, but transverse flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole employs local quality variations where different regions have different stiffness characteristics. The central region under the heel and arch areas contains stiffer support structures for impact attenuation, while peripheral regions maintain softer characteristics to preserve natural foot motion and transverse flexibility. This localized differentiation allows the midsole to provide impact protection where needed without restricting natural foot articulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole is divided into functional zones with distinct properties - a cushioning zone with softer foam for impact absorption and a support zone with stiffer elements for stability. This segmentation allows the thicker midsole construction to provide adequate impact protection while specific regions maintain the flexibility needed for natural foot movement during athletic activities.
3Device complexity
If conventional single-layer midsole structures are used to simplify construction, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to decouple vertical and transverse stiffness characteristics is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is segmented into distinct functional layers and zones that can be independently designed and optimized. The support structures are positioned at specific locations within the midsole architecture, allowing vertical stiffness to be controlled by the overall midsole thickness and material selection, while transverse stiffness is controlled by the placement and configuration of support elements in specific regions. This segmentation enables independent optimization of vertical and transverse stiffness characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole incorporates local quality variations with different material properties and structural characteristics in different regions. By strategically placing stiffer support structures in specific locations (such as under the arch and heel) while maintaining softer characteristics in other areas, the design achieves independent control over vertical and transverse stiffness. This allows optimization for specific athletic activities without requiring complete redesign of the entire midsole structure.
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
This configuration enhances vertical impact protection while maintaining transverse stability, allowing for optimal dynamic control and flexibility, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional sole structures by decoupling vertical and transverse stiffness.
Implementation Method 1
a compression element, when compressed in a vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
a torsion element... When the vertical force is released, the torsion element may rotationally displace in a second direction
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Embodiments provide a support structure (1470, 300) for an article of footwear (10, 1400, 1490, 1496), which may include upper (100) and lower support elements (310), upper (100) and lower, a compression element (1500, 1600, 1735, 1799, 320) disposed between the upper (100) and lower members, and a torsion element (1474, 1734, 1798, 334). A vertical force (301) applied to the upper support elements (310) compresses the compression element (1500, 1600, 1735, 1799, 320),rotationally displaces in a first direction (1540, 1542) the upper member (328) relative to the lower member (330), rotationally displaces in the first direction (1540, 1542) a second portion (336) of the torsion element (1474, 1734, 1798, 334) relative to a first portion (338) of the torsion element (1474, 1734, 1798, 334), deflects a torsion loading portion(340) of the torsion element (1474, 1734, 1798, 334), and moves the upper member (328) vertically towards the lower member (330). Upon release of the force (301), the torsion loading portion (340) rotationally displaces in a second direction (1540, 1542) opposite to the first direction (1540, 1542) the second portion (336) of the torsion element (1474, 1734, 1798, 334) relative to the first portion (338). Embodiments of methods of manufacturing a support structure (1470, 300) are also disclosed.