Rolling Element Footwear Sole Assembly for Stable Gait
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear designed for a rolling gait, such as MBT shoes, face issues like requiring an initial training period, unattractive appearance, quick outer sole wear, difficulty in walking stably on hard floors, and increased storage space needs, which hinder widespread acceptance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rolling element made of harder material than the midsole, placed within the shoe's sole assembly, which extends over part of the shoe's width and is designed to promote a natural rolling action by compressing and rotating during walking, ensuring stability and even wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the outer sole is made thin to maintain midsole flexibility, then the rolling action is enabled, but the outer sole wears out quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear is divided into functionally distinct layers: a thin flexible midsole for rolling action and a separate thick outer sole for durability. The midsole (33) has a thickness of 0.5-5 cm and provides the rolling function, while the outer sole (32) is a separate component that can be replaced when worn, solving the contradiction between flexibility and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer sole is designed as a replaceable component that can be detached and replaced when worn out. This allows the durable outer sole to be recovered and reused, while the midsole retaining the rolling function remains in place, addressing the wear issue without compromising the rolling action.
2Ease of operation
If the midsole is made thick and curved to enable rolling gait, then the rolling action is achieved, but the shoe requires more storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole (33) is designed with dynamic flexibility rather than static curvature. It has a thickness of 0.5-5 cm and provides rolling action through its elastic properties and interaction with the rolling element, allowing the shoe to maintain a flatter, more compact form when not in use while still achieving the rolling gait during walking.
3Ease of operation
If the rolling element is made of harder material than the midsole, then the rolling action is controlled and promoted, but the stress on the rolling element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling element (40) is positioned at a specific location within the midsole structure and has localized hardness properties. It is made of harder material than the surrounding midsole (33) to control the rolling action, but its strategic placement and the midsole's elasticity distribute and reduce the stress concentration on the rolling element.
4Ease of manufacture
If the shoe upper is attached to a sole assembly lacking part of the midsole, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the shoe form stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate sole element (50) serves as a mediator between the shoe upper (20) and the midsole (33). This intermediate layer provides structural support and maintains shoe form stability while allowing the midsole to be partially absent or thinner, facilitating simplified manufacturing while preserving structural integrity.
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 a controlled dynamic rolling gait without special training, reduces muscle stress, and maintains a conventional shoe appearance, with improved stability and reduced wear, allowing for easier use and storage.
Implementation Method 1
designed to promote a natural rolling action by compressing and rotating during walking
Implementation Method 2
In order for the rolling element to be able to roll, its lower surface must have a convex shape... the rolling element can be made at least partially of an elastic material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3e
AI summary
A footwear sole assembly (10) for walking with a rolling action is described. An elastically compressible midsole element (33) is provided with a rolling element (40) situated in and extending over a portion of the length and over at least a portion of the width of the midsole element (33). The rolling element (40) consists at least partially of a resilient material and is disposed at least in that region of the midsole (33) which is opposite to the arch of the wearer's foot. This shoe offers the rolling gait advantages of the well known MBT shoe, but has a different construction which enables it to retain the outward appearance of conventional shoes such as trainers.