Movable Outsole Segments for Footwear Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outsole patterns in footwear lack effective shock absorption and adaptability to changing ground surfaces, leading to inadequate traction and comfort during various activities.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a telescoping outsole component with multiple pieces that can move independently, attached to a midsole with protrusion structures, allowing for enhanced shock absorption and adaptability by compressing and expanding to accommodate different ground conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a monolithic sole structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but shock absorption and adaptability to ground surfaces are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The outsole is divided into multiple separate pieces (first outsole piece, second outsole piece, etc.) that can move independently relative to each other and to the midsole. This segmentation allows each piece to adapt to different ground surface conditions while maintaining overall structural integrity through attachment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The outsole pieces are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their positions and orientations in response to varying ground surfaces. This dynamic capability enables the sole to adapt to different terrains while absorbing shock through controlled movement.
2Reliability
If a monolithic sole structure is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but shock absorption capability is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The sole structure is segmented into multiple movable pieces that can independently absorb and distribute impact forces. This segmentation transforms a single-point impact into distributed forces across multiple components, enhancing shock absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The outsole pieces can change their spatial parameters (position, orientation, spacing) in response to impact forces, allowing the structure to dynamically adjust its shock absorption characteristics based on the magnitude and direction of applied forces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If outsole pieces are made movable and independent, then adaptability to terrain is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outsole is manufactured as separate pieces that can be independently produced using standard manufacturing processes, then attached to the midsole and to each other. This approach allows each component to be optimized and manufactured separately, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the movable design.
Solution Approach 2:
Attachment mechanisms serve as intermediaries between the midsole and outsole pieces, and between outsole pieces themselves. These standardized connection elements simplify the assembly process and enable easy manufacturing of the complex movable structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An article of footwear (1000, 100, 600) and method of making an article of footwear (1000, 100, 600) are disclosed. The article includes an outsole (1006, 108, 404, 505, 608, 808) having an outsole member. The outsole member includes a first piece (114, 202, 306, 506, 610) and a second piece (116, 204, 308, 508, 612). The first piece (114, 202, 306, 506, 610) is spaced from a base (156, 162, 250) by a first vertical distance (252). The second piece (116, 204, 308, 508, 612) is spaced from the base (156, 162, 250) by a second vertical distance (254), the first vertical distance (252) being greater than the second vertical distance (254).