Diagonal Cored Midsole Apertures for Cushioning Without Weight Gain
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear midsoles that incorporate additional structure for support and cushioning often increase weight, compromising stability and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A cored midsole with diagonal geometry and strategically designed apertures that vary in size and shape across different regions, combined with a rocker shape and reinforcing members, to provide optimal cushioning, support, and stability without increasing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional structure is incorporated into the midsole for support and cushioning, then comfort and stability are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is segmented into multiple regions (forefoot, midfoot, rearfoot) with different aperture sizes and densities. This segmentation allows each region to provide targeted support and cushioning properties while maintaining overall lightweight construction, resolving the contradiction between comfort/stability and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the midsole have different structural qualities - the forefoot region has smaller apertures for stability, the midfoot has moderate apertures for transition support, and the rearfoot has larger apertures for cushioning. This local differentiation provides optimal comfort and stability in each zone without uniformly increasing weight throughout the entire midsole.
2Weight of moving object
If a cored midsole with apertures is used to reduce weight, then weight decreases, but structural support may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture distribution is optimized locally - smaller apertures in load-bearing forefoot regions maintain structural strength, while larger apertures in rearfoot regions provide weight reduction and cushioning. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between weight reduction and structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole incorporates a rocker shape that introduces a longitudinal curvature dimension, creating a rolling motion that enhances propulsive phase. This dimensional addition provides structural functionality and motion control without requiring additional material, thus maintaining strength while keeping weight low.
3Speed
If the midsole is designed to allow controlled collapse and horizontal displacement for quicker transition, then propulsive phase is improved, but stability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is designed with dynamic characteristics - the cored structure allows controlled collapse during the gait cycle, enabling horizontal displacement and quicker transition to the forefoot. The alternating aperture pattern and rocker shape create a dynamic rolling motion that improves transition speed while maintaining stability through the alternating support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The alternating aperture pattern creates a three-dimensional undulating structure that provides both flexibility for transition and stability through the alternating support zones. This dimensional complexity allows the midsole to adapt its stiffness dynamically during the gait cycle, resolving the contradiction between transition speed and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A sole for an article of footwear includes a cored midsole defining a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter surface extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The cored midsole defines apertures extending diagonally from the top surface of the cored midsole to the bottom surface of the cored midsole.