Posture-Dependent Footwear Sole Assembly with Moveable Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sole assemblies in footwear do not provide posture-dependent feedback, making it difficult for athletes to train for specific postures that enhance performance, as the compression and resilience characteristics remain uniform regardless of foot and leg positioning.
Innovation Solution
A sole assembly with a first member fixed to the upper and a second member that is moveably coupled, allowing relative movement in response to input loads along specific vectors, and featuring biasing members to engage and disengage based on posture, providing varying traction and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sole assembly uses fixed, uniform material properties throughout, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the sole cannot provide posture-dependent feedback or adapt to different foot positions
Solution Approach 1:
The sole assembly is divided into multiple discrete components including a midsole, outsole, and multiple spring elements positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each component to have different material properties and functions, enabling posture-dependent characteristics while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sole assembly have different material properties and structural characteristics. Specifically, spring elements are strategically positioned under the heel, toe, and midfoot areas with varying spring rates to provide location-specific feedback and adaptation to different foot positions and loading conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sole assembly is made uniform and fixed, then structural stability is maintained, but it cannot provide varying feedback for different running postures or training purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The sole assembly incorporates spring elements that dynamically adjust their mechanical properties based on foot position and loading conditions. The springs engage and disengage depending on the degree of plantar flexion and dorsiflexion, providing variable feedback that adapts to different running postures while maintaining reliable support through the inherent resilience of the spring-midsole system
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sole assembly allows movement between components, then posture-dependent feedback is provided, but the complexity of assembly and potential for instability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are integrated with the midsole and outsole structures through direct attachment or embedding, merging the movement function with the structural components. This combining approach enables relative movement between sole components for posture-dependent feedback while avoiding the need for separate, complex coupling mechanisms
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
Enables training for optimal postures by varying sole assembly characteristics based on foot position, enhancing thrust and performance by engaging and disengaging sole members at different angles, thus aiding in improving running and movement techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The sole assembly includes at least one biasing member that biases the second member relative to the first member
Implementation Method 2
The outsole can be a unitary piece of relatively high-friction material that provides traction
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly includes a first member that is coupled to the upper and a second member that is moveably coupled to the first member. The first member moves relative to the second member in response to a first input load directed along a first vector, and the first member engages the second member in response to a second input load directed along a second vector.