Footwear Outsole with Recessed Bridging Portion for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Footwear outsoles struggle to provide stability on uneven and small surfaces, leading to slipping and falling risks for workers in unique terrain environments.
Innovation Solution
The outsole design features a bridging portion with a recessed configuration between the forefoot and heel outsole portions, incorporating dual arc-shaped bridges that increase torsional rigidity and stability by mitigating torsional forces, with a 3D pattern of protrusions on the bridge surface to enhance friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the outsole uses a flat bridging portion configuration, then the manufacturing is simple, but the torsional rigidity and stability on uneven surfaces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging portion is configured with a recessed curvature rather than a flat surface. This curved configuration allows the outsole to better conform to uneven ground surfaces, improving stability and contact while the recessed design reduces material usage and weight compared to a fully convex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The outsole is divided into distinct portions (forefoot, heel, and bridging portion) with different configurations. The bridging portion specifically is recessed relative to the forefoot and heel portions, creating a segmented structure that optimizes each region for its specific function while maintaining overall stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the outsole uses a recessed bridging portion configuration, then the stability and torsional rigidity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed curved configuration of the bridging portion is integrated into the outsole as a continuous molded feature rather than a separate component. This allows the complex geometry to be manufactured in a single molding process, avoiding the need for additional assembly steps or complex multi-step manufacturing procedures.
3Reliability
If the outsole contacts small or irregular surfaces, then the traction should be enhanced, but the conventional outsole design fails to provide adequate grip
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed curved bridging portion allows the outsole to conform to irregular and small surfaces by creating a nested configuration that can adapt to varying ground conditions. This curvature enables better surface contact area and distribution of contact forces across irregular terrains.
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 design enhances stability and traction on uneven surfaces, preventing slipping and injury by securely engaging with the ground, even on small or irregular surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating dual arc-shaped bridges that increase torsional rigidity and stability by mitigating torsional forces
Implementation Method 2
with a 3D pattern of protrusions on the bridge surface to enhance friction
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are directed to an outsole for a footwear article. In various embodiments, the outsole comprises a forefoot outsole portion defining a forefoot portion bottom surface configured for contact with a ground surface; a heel outsole portion defining a heel portion bottom surface configured for contact with the ground surface; a bridging portion defined between the forefoot outsole portion and the heel outsole portion, the bridging portion having a recessed configuration relative to the forefoot outsole portion and the heel outsole portion such that the bridging portion defines a bridging portion cavity that extends between the forefoot outsole portion and the heel outsole portion; and an arc-shaped bridge that extends along the bridging portion and is configured to be disposed out of an adjacent bridging portion surface of the bridging portion such that the arc-shaped bridge is defined by a bridge height protruding from the adjacent bridging portion surface.