Removable Sole Springs for Energy Storage and Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoes fail to efficiently store and transfer energy, leading to prolonged shock absorption issues that can cause foot pain and medical problems over time, as they deteriorate from repeated shock forces during use.
Innovation Solution
The development of shoes with sole springs that store energy when the foot strikes the ground and release it to aid in movement, featuring a design with a plurality of sole springs located between the insole and outsole, including heel, toe, and middle sole springs, which are removably positioned within cavities to maintain shock absorption and propulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shoes are used without sole springs, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but shock absorption deteriorates over time and energy transfer causes foot pain
Solution Approach 1:
The sole spring system is divided into multiple independent springs (heel sole spring, toe sole spring, middle sole springs) positioned at different locations. Each spring independently absorbs shock in its specific zone, allowing the system to maintain reliable shock absorption across the entire sole while keeping individual spring components simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole springs are designed to dynamically respond to impact forces by flexing and returning to their original position. The springs have defined flex directions (longitudinal, lateral, or both) that allow them to adaptively absorb shock from various walking directions, maintaining durability without requiring complex mechanical structures.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple sole springs are added to store and release energy, then energy transfer and propulsion are improved, but the shoe structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sole springs are merged into a coordinated system within the sole structure, where heel springs, toe springs, and middle springs work together to store and release energy throughout the walking cycle. This combined system achieves effective energy transfer and propulsion while integrating smoothly into the overall shoe construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole springs utilize changes in physical parameters (flexion, compression, material elasticity) to store and release energy. By selecting materials with appropriate elastic properties and designing springs with specific flex characteristics, the system achieves effective energy storage and release without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sole springs are made removable and insertable, then adaptability and maintenance are improved, but the sole structure requires additional features like cavities and retention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The sole springs are extracted from being permanently fixed components and made removable through dedicated cavities and retention mechanisms. This allows users to take out worn springs and insert new ones, significantly improving adaptability and ease of maintenance while the cavity structure provides organized, space-efficient housing for the removable springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanisms (such as elastic retention members or snap-fit structures) provide dynamic securing and releasing of the sole springs. These mechanisms automatically engage when springs are inserted and can be easily released when removal is needed, achieving high adaptability without requiring complex assembly procedures.
4Reliability
If sole springs are positioned in cavities within the sole, then shock absorption is maintained during movement, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sole is segmented into distinct cavities for different spring locations (heel cavity, toe cavity, middle cavities). Each cavity is designed to accommodate a specific spring type and orientation, ensuring that shock absorption functions are maintained at each critical location without requiring the entire sole structure to achieve ultra-high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavities and retention mechanisms are designed to accommodate normal manufacturing tolerances while still providing reliable spring retention and proper shock absorption function. The retention members have sufficient compliance to maintain consistent shock absorption even with minor variations in cavity positioning or spring dimensions.
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 shoe design effectively cushions the foot, reduces energy transfer-related pain, and enhances user movement by storing and releasing energy, maintaining shock absorption properties even after extended use, thereby reducing fatigue and potential medical issues.
Implementation Method 1
the first leg and the second leg flex toward each other thereby cushioning the foot of the user, and when the user moves the shoe away from the support surface the first leg and the second flex away from each other thereby propelling the user away from the support surface
Implementation Method 2
During use, shoes protect and cushion the feet of the user from shock forces generated when the user moves the shoes into contact with the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe has a shoe upper configured to receive a foot of a user, a sole coupled the shoe upper and having a cavity, and a sole spring in the cavity. The sole spring has a first leg and an opposite second leg, and the sole spring is removably positioned in the cavity. Accordingly, when the user presses the shoe into contact with a support surface, the first leg and the second leg flex toward each other thereby cushioning the foot of the user, and when the user moves the shoe away from the support surface the first leg and the second flex away from each other thereby propelling the user away from the support surface.