Lateral Offset Heel Stud Footwear Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Athletic footwear often lacks sufficient traction and stability on various playing surfaces, particularly when quick directional changes are required, as the existing stud configurations may not provide adequate friction and balance for players during activities like soccer.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a sole structure with elongated studs and blade-like support structures in the heel region, where the back lateral stud has a rounded shape and a smaller stud portion that penetrates the ground first, followed by a larger portion, enhancing friction and stability by allowing deeper penetration and providing additional support structures to maintain balance during kicks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional stud configurations are used, then the footwear structure remains simple, but traction and stability during quick directional changes are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heel region is segmented into multiple functional zones with different stud types: elongated studs for lateral traction, a back lateral stud for deep penetration, and blade-like support structures for stability. This segmentation allows each stud type to perform its specific function optimally during quick directional changes and kicking movements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heel sole are assigned different stud characteristics tailored to local functional requirements. The back lateral edge receives a rounded stud for deep ground penetration, while the medial and lateral edges receive elongated studs for lateral friction. Blade-like structures are positioned to provide stability during kicking, creating localized quality variations that enhance overall performance.
2Reliability
If studs extend deeper into the ground, then friction and stability improve, but the risk of twisting or injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The back lateral stud features a rounded shape that facilitates progressive penetration into the ground. The curved geometry allows the stud to enter the soil at an angle and then engage with the ground surface, providing deep friction while distributing the loading more evenly compared to sharp-pointed studs, thus reducing the risk of sudden twisting injuries.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole structure combines multiple stud types with different geometric characteristics and material properties. The elongated studs provide lateral friction, the rounded back lateral stud provides deep penetration, and the blade-like structures provide stability. This composite configuration balances traction benefits with injury prevention through diverse mechanical characteristics.
3Reliability
If multiple stud types are added to the heel region, then traction during kicking improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple stud types are merged into a single integrated sole structure using the same basic molding process. The heel region incorporates elongated studs, a rounded back lateral stud, and blade-like support structures all within one molded component, allowing them to be manufactured simultaneously rather than assembled separately, thus reducing manufacturing complexity despite the variety of stud geometries.
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 significantly improves traction and stability, enabling players to make quick directional changes and maintain balance while kicking the ball by increasing friction between the foot and the playing surface.
Implementation Method 1
The friction caused by the studs on the planted foot may provide the player with additional stability enabling the player to kick the ball with unplanted foot
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear having a sole that provides friction between the playing surface and the player's foot. In some embodiments, the article footwear includes a sole having a plurality of elongated studs in the heel region in addition to a back lateral stud having a rounded or circular shape located in the back lateral area of the heel.