Sports Shoe Midsole Banking Structure for Ankle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cut movements in sports lead to excessive ankle inversion moments due to misalignment of foot and shank segments, increasing the risk of ankle ligament injury.
Innovation Solution
A midsole design featuring a ground-facing component with wedge-shaped protrusions and a slidable foot support component with matching recesses, transforming horizontal force into vertical force to create a banking effect, maintaining foot shank alignment and reducing ankle joint stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the foot support component is made rigid to provide stable support during cut movements, then the banking effect is enhanced, but the cushioning properties during linear movements are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foot support component is designed to be movable relative to the ground facing component, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation based on the movement type. During cut movements, the component tilts to create a banking effect for ankle stability, while during linear movements it maintains a neutral position to provide cushioning support.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the orientation parameter of the foot support component relative to the ground facing component. By controlling the tilt angle of the foot support component, the system optimizes ankle joint alignment during cut movements while maintaining proper cushioning characteristics during linear movements.
2Reliability
If the foot support component tilts significantly to create a strong banking effect, then ankle joint alignment is improved, but stability during linear movements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foot support component is designed to be movable relative to the ground facing component, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation based on the movement type. During cut movements, the component tilts to create a banking effect for ankle stability, while during linear movements it maintains a neutral position to provide cushioning support.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot support component alternates between two states: a tilted position during cut movements to create banking effect, and a neutral position during linear movements to maintain stability. This periodic adjustment between different operational states optimizes performance for different movement types.
3Reliability
If wedge-shaped protrusions with large angles are used to create strong banking effect, then cut movement performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is divided into two functional components: a ground facing component with wedge-shaped protrusions and a separate foot support component with matching recesses. This segmentation allows the banking effect to be achieved through the interaction between components rather than requiring complex integrated structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge-shaped protrusions and recesses act as intermediary elements that transform horizontal forces during cut movements into vertical banking effects. This mechanical intermediary simplifies the overall structure by using geometric shapes to achieve the desired banking effect without complex control mechanisms.
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
Enhances performance and reduces injury risk by stabilizing the ankle joint during abrupt movements, while maintaining cushioning properties and minimizing tilting angles during linear movements.
Implementation Method 1
The slidable element may comprise one or more wedge-shaped elements that transform horizontal force to vertical force.
Data Source
AI summary
Midsoles for a sports shoe that comprise a ground facing component comprising a rim portion with a first inward-facing wedge-shaped elongate protrusion and a foot support component arranged slidably at least partially inside the ground facing component. The foot support component may comprise a first outward facing wedge-shaped elongate recess configured to receive the first inward-facing wedge-shaped elongate protrusion of the ground facing component such that the foot support component tilts when sliding towards the rim portion of the ground facing component.