Rotatable Shoe Sole Assembly Using Lubricant Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports shoes with mechanical metal joints and bearings for rotation increase weight, reduce flexibility, and do not adequately reduce torque, leading to increased risk of injuries such as ACL injuries, especially in athletes who need to frequently change direction.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable sole assembly using plastic plates with a lubricant coating, such as graphite powder, and an elastic material to allow controlled rotation without metal joints or bearings, reducing torque and weight, and allowing for separate manufacturing and installation in existing shoes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If mechanical metal joints and bearings are used for rotation, then rotation function is achieved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical metal joints and bearings with a coating layer that enables rotation through surface properties rather than mechanical components. The coating layer allows the sole assembly to rotate relative to the shoe body without requiring traditional mechanical rotation mechanisms, thereby eliminating the weight penalty associated with metal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the heavy mechanical metal components (joints, bearings, pivots) from the rotation mechanism, retaining only the essential rotational function through a simpler coating-based system. This extraction eliminates unnecessary weight while preserving the core rotational capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical metal joints and bearings are used for rotation, then rotation function is achieved, but the shoe becomes less flexible
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing rigid mechanical metal joints with a flexible coating layer, the system gains adaptability. The coating allows for smoother, more flexible rotation that can adapt to various movement patterns and ground conditions, enhancing the shoe's overall flexibility and versatility.
3Force
If mechanical metal joints and bearings are used for rotation, then rotation function is achieved, but torque reduction is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The coating-based rotation system provides superior torque reduction compared to mechanical metal joints. The coating layer creates friction-based resistance that smoothly dissipates rotational forces, reducing torque transmission to the athlete's foot and lower limb, thereby improving injury prevention reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If mechanical metal joints and bearings are used for rotation, then rotation function is achieved, but manufacturing flexibility is reduced and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the complex mechanical rotation mechanism and replacing it with a coating layer, the invention dramatically simplifies the manufacturing process. The coating can be applied during standard shoe manufacturing without requiring separate assembly steps for complex mechanical components, thereby improving manufacturing flexibility and reducing costs.
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 solution reduces torque and weight, enhances flexibility, and decreases the risk of injuries by allowing controlled rotation and torque management, making it suitable for various footwear types and applications.
Implementation Method 1
a coating layer between the first and second plates; wherein the coating layer is configured to rotate one of the first and second plates with respect to the other of the first and second plates
Implementation Method 2
The coating layer may comprise a lubricant material. The lubricant material may comprise graphite powder
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
We disclose herein a rotatable sole assembly for a shoe which comprises a first plate (305), a second plate (320); and a coating layer (330) between the first and second plates. The coating layer (330) is configured to rotate one of the first and second plates with respect to the other of the first and second plates. The sole assembly is designed to reduce ACL injuries as well as the incidence of other lower leg injuries related to high torque forces.