Running Shoe Midsole Channels for Horizontal and Vertical Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing running shoe soles fail to adequately cushion horizontal forces, leading to knee and hip joint pain, and suffer from material fatigue and irregular closure of groove-shaped elements due to material loss of elasticity over time.

Innovation Solution

A sole with an elastic midsole featuring channels that extend transversely and are arranged longitudinally, with lateral openings that narrow along their main longitudinal axis, providing efficient cushioning for both vertical and horizontal forces while maintaining durability and preventing material fatigue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If groove-shaped elements are used to cushion horizontal forces, then horizontal cushioning is improved, but material fatigue occurs and elasticity is lost over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehorizontal forces on jointsVSAvoidmaterial elasticity retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is segmented into multiple independent channels that extend in the transverse direction. Each channel acts as an independent cushioning element, allowing the structure to absorb horizontal forces through lateral deformation and closure of the channels, while distributing stress across multiple segments to prevent material fatigue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The channels are oriented transversely (perpendicular to the running direction) rather than longitudinally, and extend in the vertical dimension through the midsole. This transverse orientation allows the channels to effectively cushion horizontal forces by deforming laterally and closing under load, a mechanism that differs from traditional longitudinal cushioning elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If groove-shaped elements are made as individual protruding elements, then horizontal deformability is improved, but irregular closure occurs and floating effect is experienced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehorizontal force cushioningVSAvoidlayer alignment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple channels are merged into a continuous midsole structure rather than being separate protruding elements. The channels are integrated within the midsole matrix, ensuring that the upper and lower layers remain aligned and preventing the floating effect while maintaining the ability to deform laterally and close under horizontal forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The channels have a specific geometric configuration with lateral openings that narrow along the main longitudinal axis from rear boundary to front boundary. This local geometric feature ensures uniform closure behavior across all channels, preventing irregular closure and maintaining stability during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If channels have lateral openings that narrow along the main longitudinal axis, then complete closure under running forces is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel closure consistencyVSAvoidchannel geometry precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The channel geometry is defined by specific parameters: the opening narrows along the main longitudinal axis from the rear boundary to the front boundary. This parameter-based design ensures consistent closure behavior under running forces. The narrowing ratio and angle can be optimized during manufacturing to balance closure reliability with manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively cushions horizontal and vertical forces, maintains stability, and prevents material fatigue, ensuring consistent performance over time by ensuring channels close completely under running forces, reducing joint stress and enhancing comfort.

Implementation Method 1

The midsole (1) comprises several channels (41, 42, 43), which extend in the transverse direction (Q) of the midsole (1) and which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole (1)... the lateral-side and/or medial-side opening of the channels (41, 42, 43) narrows along the main longitudinal axis (411) of the respective channel (41, 42, 43) from the rear boundary to the front boundary

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12564244B2Sole with horizontal and vertical damping function

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 ON CLOUDS GMBH

AI summary

A sole for a running shoe having an elastic midsole, the midsole having a plurality of channels extending in the transverse direction of the midsole and arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the midsole, at least some of the channels each including an opening on the lateral side and/or on the medial side in the midsole; a front boundary and a rear boundary in the cross section along a cross sectional plane in the longitudinal direction of the midsole and perpendicularly to the transverse direction of the midsole, as well as a main longitudinal axis, along which the channels in each case extend in a slot-like manner from their respective rear boundary to their respective front boundary in such a way that the lateral-side and/or medial-side opening of the channels narrows along the main longitudinal axis from the rear boundary to the front boundary.