Heel Sole Structure With Viscoelastic Shock Absorber and Rigid Supports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe soles struggle to achieve high levels of shock absorbing performance, stability, and weight reduction without compromising any of these properties, particularly due to the placement and design of shock absorbers and rigid members.
Innovation Solution
A sole design featuring a midsole, outsole, and strategically positioned shock absorbers and highly rigid members, with a pocket-shaped space surrounding the shock absorber to enhance shock absorption and stability while reducing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shock absorber is disposed to reach the heel center, then the shock absorbing performance is improved, but the weight reduction and stability are inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the shock absorber specifically at the heel center region where shock absorption is most needed, rather than uniformly distributing shock absorption components throughout the entire sole. This localized approach concentrates shock absorption functionality where it provides maximum benefit while minimizing the overall weight of the shoe.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sole into distinct functional regions: a shock absorption region at the heel center containing the shock absorber, and a stability region with rigid members at the forefoot and midfoot portions. This segmentation allows each region to independently perform its specific function without compromising the other, enabling both shock absorption and stability to be optimized simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the shock absorber is disposed to reach the heel center, then the shock absorbing performance is improved, but the stability is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sole into functionally segmented regions: the heel center contains the shock absorber for shock absorption, while the forefoot and midfoot portions contain rigid members for stability. This spatial segmentation allows the shock absorber to be positioned at the heel center to maximize shock absorption without extending into regions where it would compromise stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different regions: the shock absorber uses soft, deformable material at the heel center for shock absorption, while rigid members use hard, stable material at the forefoot and midfoot portions for stability. This localized differentiation of material properties allows each region to optimize its specific function.
3Reliability
If the less-deformable portion is removed, then the weight reduction and shock absorbing performance are improved, but the stability is significantly inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional single less-deformable portion with multiple rigid members strategically positioned at the forefoot and midfoot portions. This segmentation of the stability-providing function into multiple distributed rigid members maintains overall stability while allowing the heel center region to be optimized for shock absorption without a continuous less-deformable portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning rigid members specifically at the forefoot and midfoot portions where stability is needed, while leaving the heel center region with the shock absorber for shock absorption. This localized distribution of rigid members provides stability without requiring a continuous less-deformable portion that would compromise shock absorption performance.
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 sole achieves improved shock absorbing performance, stability, and weight reduction by optimizing the distribution and rigidity of components, maintaining balance and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a shock absorber formed of a solid viscoelastic body, the shock absorber being sandwiched in the up-down direction by the midsole and the outsole
Data Source
AI summary
A sole includes a midsole and an outsole. A portion of a rearfoot portion including a heel center includes a facing region in which the midsole and the outsole face each other at a distance from each other in an up-down direction, and the facing region includes a shock absorber. The midsole is a foam material. The shock absorber is a solid viscoelastic body and disposed to overlap or surround the heel center. A medial foot-side highly rigid member and a lateral foot-side highly rigid member are disposed at a medial foot-side end portion and a lateral foot-side end portion, respectively, in portions of the rearfoot portion that correspond to the facing region, so that the facing region includes a pocket-shaped space surrounding the shock absorber.