Polymeric Midsole with Segmented Compartments for Ventilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sports shoes with vapor-permeable soles lack effective ventilation, leading to discomfort due to trapped moisture from perspiration, and existing midsoles fail to adequately cushion impacts while being lightweight and cost-effective.

Innovation Solution

A midsole structure featuring a polymeric plantar frame with reinforced rims and cross-members that delimit opening compartments, covered by vapor-permeable elements made of three-dimensional fabric or membranes, allowing for ventilation and elastic deformation to absorb impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional solid midsole materials (polyurethane, EVA) are used to provide cushioning and shock absorption, then impact protection is improved, but moisture vapor permeability deteriorates causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidmoisture accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is divided into multiple compartments separated by structural cross-members, creating a segmented structure that allows moisture vapor to pass through while maintaining impact protection. The frame with cross-members creates distinct sections that facilitate vapor transmission pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a frame structure with cross-members that creates porous pathways through the midsole. This porous design allows moisture vapor to permeate through the midsole while the polymeric material maintains its shock-absorbing properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If thick elastically yielding material is used to cushion impacts, then shock absorption is improved, but weight increases reducing flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorptionVSAvoidmidsole weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is segmented into compartments by cross-members, allowing the structure to provide shock absorption through the frame architecture rather than requiring uniformly thick material throughout, thereby reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The midsole combines a polymeric frame material with air or gas-filled compartments, creating a composite structure that provides shock absorption through the combination of material elasticity and compressible air spaces, reducing the need for thick solid material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple monolithic midsole structure is used to reduce manufacturing complexity, then manufacturing ease is improved, but vapor permeability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidvapor permeability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is manufactured as a monolithic piece that is subsequently segmented into compartments by the cross-members. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while creating the vapor-permeable compartmented structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cross-members serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for shock absorption, create compartment boundaries for vapor permeability, and maintain the overall shape of the midsole, eliminating the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 midsole structure provides ventilation, effective cushioning, and lightweight flexibility, ensuring comfort by dissipating moisture and absorbing impact energy while being simple and cost-effective to manufacture.

Implementation Method 1

at least one first vapor-permeable element, which covers at least said opening compartments... at least one second vapor-permeable element, which covers at least said opening compartments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor permeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

a plantar frame made of polymeric material, which comprises a reinforced rim with structural cross-members... adapted to deform, absorbing partly elastically and partly plastically the energy of the impact with the ground

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9596905B2Midsole structure, particularly for shoes, including shoes with a vapor-permeable sole, designed for use in sports activities

Publication Date: 2017.03.21 GEOX SPA

AI summary

A midsole structure for shoes, including shoes with a vapor-permeable sole, designed for use in sports activities, comprising a monolithic plantar frame made of polymeric material, which comprises a reinforced rim with structural cross-members, which cooperate to delimit opening compartments that pass through the monolithic plantar frame in order to lead onto opposite faces thereof, at least one first vapor-permeable element, which covers at least the opening compartments, which open onto a first one of the faces, with which the first vapor-permeable element is associated, at least one second vapor-permeable element, which covers at least the opening compartments, which open onto the second one of the faces, with which the second vapor-permeable element is associated.