Midsole Perimeter Bladder Element for Footwear Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear technologies that incorporate fluid-filled bladders for cushioning and impact absorption require additional materials and processing steps, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A midsole assembly featuring a fluid-filled bladder element with a substantially arc-shaped heel portion and lateral and medial arm portions, configured to be positioned at the peripheral region of the footwear, providing cushioning while minimizing material requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluid-filled bladders are incorporated in the sole for cushioning and impact absorption, then cushioning performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder element is integrated directly into the molded midsole structure, eliminating the need for separate bladder components and assembly steps. The bladder-forming cavity is built into the mold itself, allowing the bladder to be formed as part of the midsole manufacturing process, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining cushioning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The molded-in bladder element serves multiple functions: it provides cushioning, impact absorption, and motion control within a single integrated structure. The bladder element also eliminates the need for separate cushioning components, reducing the overall number of parts and simplifying manufacturing
2Reliability
If fluid-filled bladders are incorporated in the sole for cushioning and impact absorption, then cushioning performance is improved, but material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder element is formed as an integral part of the midsole using the same thermoplastic polyurethane material, eliminating the need for additional bladder-specific materials. This merging of structures reduces overall material requirements while maintaining cushioning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder element is formed as a thin-walled flexible structure within the midsole, requiring minimal material volume while providing effective cushioning. The thin-film bladder design reduces material consumption compared to traditional bulky cushioning elements
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 a desired level of cushioning while reducing material usage and processing complexity, enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of footwear manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
heating the sheets
Implementation Method 2
providing a vacuum to the mold assembly to form the bladder element
Implementation Method 3
inflating the bladder element by introducing a fluid into the bladder element
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear has a midsole assembly that includes a fluid-filled bladder element having a substantially arc-shaped heel portion and having a lateral arm portion and a medial arm portion spaced from the lateral arm portion. Each of the arm portions extend from the heel portion. The bladder element is configured to be positioned with the heel portion in the heel region of midsole assembly, and the arm portions extending from the heel region to a forefoot region along a peripheral region. A method of manufacturing and a mold assembly for such an article of footwear are provided.