Running Shoe Midsole with Segmented Air Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing running shoe soles fail to adequately cushion horizontal forces during running, leading to increased wear and tear and potential knee and hip joint pain, while also being heavy and prone to debris entrapment.
Innovation Solution
A midsole design featuring an elastic cushioning layer with channels that deform vertically and horizontally, combined with a base layer of varying hardness to enhance durability and weight reduction, allowing for efficient absorption of both vertical and horizontal forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If channel-shaped elements are used to cushion forces, then cushioning performance is improved, but wear resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sole is divided into multiple channel-shaped elements that are segmented and arranged in a specific pattern. Each channel element acts as an independent cushioning unit, allowing forces to be distributed across multiple segments rather than concentrated in a single solid structure, thereby maintaining cushioning performance while reducing wear on any single point
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sole have channels with different characteristics (openings facing different directions, different channel depths). The channels are strategically positioned to provide enhanced cushioning in areas experiencing higher forces, while maintaining structural integrity in regions requiring greater wear resistance
2Weight of moving object
If channel-shaped elements are used to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but debris entrapment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The channel-shaped elements have asymmetric cross-sections with different opening sizes and shapes oriented in different directions. This asymmetric design allows the channels to be fluidically connected to the surroundings for weight reduction, while the specific asymmetric geometry prevents stones and debris from easily entering and becoming trapped in the notches between channels
3Reliability
If gel cores are used for vertical cushioning, then vertical cushioning is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sole uses air-filled channel-shaped elements instead of gel cores. The channels are fluidically connected to the surroundings and contain only air, exploiting pneumatic principles to provide vertical cushioning through compression and expansion of the air-filled channels, thereby achieving the same cushioning effect without the weight penalty of gel materials
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 solution provides improved durability and weight reduction while effectively cushioning both vertical and horizontal forces, reducing the risk of joint pain and debris entrapment, and maintaining efficient force transmission during running.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the elastic properties of the cushioning layer, the channels can be deformed by the forces occurring during running. This not only allows vertical compression of the cushioning layer in the area of the channels
Implementation Method 2
This not only allows vertical compression of the cushioning layer in the area of the channels, but also shearing, so that forces acting horizontally can also be absorbed
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a sole with a midsole (1) for a running shoe, wherein the midsole (1) comprises a forefoot region (VFB), a heel region (FB) and a midfoot region (MFB) arranged between the forefoot region (VFB) and the heel region (FB), and wherein the midsole comprises an elastic cushioning layer (2) and a base layer (3) arranged thereon, wherein the base layer (3) has a greater hardness than the cushioning layer (2) and wherein the cushioning layer (2) forms, in the heel region (FB) and optionally in the midfoot region (MFB) and/or in the forefoot region (VFB), a plurality of channels (21, 22) extending in the transverse direction (Q) of the sole.