Forefoot Upper Rigidity Layout for Crease-Free Cutting Shoes
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sports involving frequent cutting maneuvers, such as tennis, the toe of the wearer experiences local compression due to creases generated in the forefoot portion of the shoe upper during these movements.
Innovation Solution
A shoe design featuring a sole and upper with specific rigidity patterns, including inner and outer high and low rigidity portions aligned in the foot length direction, with longer outer low rigidity portions in the width direction to accommodate the shifting ground contact region during cutting maneuvers, reducing crease generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the forefoot portion of the upper is made with high rigidity to support cutting maneuvers, then the structural stability is improved, but creases are generated causing local compression of the toe
Solution Approach 1:
The forefoot portion is divided into multiple high rigidity portions and low rigidity portions arranged alternately in the foot length direction. The low rigidity portions act as flexible segments that can bend during cutting maneuvers, preventing crease formation in the high rigidity portions while maintaining overall structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the forefoot portion are assigned different rigidity characteristics. The high rigidity portions provide structural support, while the low rigidity portions provide flexibility to accommodate toe movement and prevent crease generation during dynamic movements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the upper is made flexible to prevent creases, then the comfort is improved, but the support for cutting maneuvers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The upper is segmented into alternating high rigidity and low rigidity portions, allowing the low rigidity portions to flex and prevent creases while the high rigidity portions maintain structural support for cutting maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The forefoot portion combines materials or structures with different rigidity characteristics in a composite arrangement, creating a multi-rigidity structure that simultaneously provides support and crease prevention.
3Device complexity
If the ground contact region is fixed, then the shoe structure is simplified, but the shoe cannot adapt to shifting contact regions during cutting maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe structure incorporates dynamic elements in the forefoot portion with alternating rigidity portions that can adapt their configuration during movement. The low rigidity portions allow the ground contact region to shift dynamically during cutting maneuvers while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe includes a sole and an upper. The upper includes: a topline portion; a slit portion; a peripheral edge portion; and a forefoot portion covering portion. The forefoot portion covering portion includes: an inner functional portion; and an outer functional portion. The inner functional portion has: a plurality of inner high rigidity portions; and a plurality of inner low rigidity portions. The outer functional portion has: a plurality of outer high rigidity portions; and a plurality of outer low rigidity portions. A length between ends on an outer side in the foot width direction, of the outer low rigidity portions adjacent to each other in the foot length direction, is longer than a length between ends on the inner side in the foot width direction, of the inner low rigidity portions adjacent to each other in the foot length direction.