Safety Shoe Sole With Expanded Midsole For Energy Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current shoe soles do not adequately combine energy-saving walking with enhanced foot protection, particularly in safety shoes that need to withstand increased loads and risks.
Innovation Solution
A shoe sole design featuring a closed outsole made of polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane, or rubber, with a midsole containing expanded thermoplastic polyurethane or polyethylene for cushioning, and an insole that covers the cushioning material, providing comprehensive protection and energy recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a traditional sole construction is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the energy-saving walking performance and foot protection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sole is divided into multiple functional layers: outsole, midsole with cushioning material, and insole. Each layer performs a specific function - the outsole provides durability and antistatic properties, the midsole with expanded thermoplastic polyurethane or polyethylene provides energy absorption and return, and the insole provides comfort and additional protection. This segmentation allows optimization of each layer for its specific purpose while achieving overall energy-saving walking performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole uses composite material construction combining different materials with complementary properties: polyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane for the outsole providing antistatic and durable properties, expanded thermoplastic polyurethane or polyethylene for the cushioning material providing energy absorption, and appropriate materials for the insole. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of energy-saving performance, protection, and comfort.
2Use of energy by moving object
If expanded thermoplastic polyurethane and polyethylene are used for cushioning, then energy absorption and return are improved, but the sole becomes heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning material uses expanded thermoplastic polyurethane or polyethylene with controlled density and expansion ratios. By adjusting the expansion parameters and material composition, the sole achieves optimal energy absorption and return properties while controlling the weight increase. The expansion process creates a cellular structure that provides cushioning performance with minimal material mass.
3Weight of moving object
If the midsole partially surrounds the cushioning material with openings, then weight is reduced and ventilation is improved, but the protection against mechanical damage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is designed to partially surround the cushioning material with strategic openings in specific locations. This local quality approach provides protection where most needed while reducing weight and improving ventilation in less critical areas. The openings are positioned to maintain structural integrity and protective function while achieving weight reduction and ventilation benefits.
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 design enhances walking comfort by absorbing impact and releasing energy, while offering robust protection against mechanical and chemical damage, maintaining antistatic properties and reducing weight, thus improving overall safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cushioning material comprising expanded thermoplastic polyurethane and/or expanded thermoplastic polyethylene
Implementation Method 2
US 2013/0160329A1 also discloses a sole construction with a foamed cushioning element that is located in the heel area of a midsole
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a sole (10) for a safety shoe (30), in particular a safety shoe, comprising a closed outsole (12) which comprises polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane, and/or rubber, or a combination of at least two of the aforementioned materials. The outsole has an outer surface and an inner surface. The sole further comprises a insole (18) and a midsole (16), which is arranged between the outsole (12) and the insole (18) and which is made of polyurethane, wherein the inner surface of the outsole (12) is connected to the midsole (16), the midsole (16) at least partly surrounds a damping material (14) which comprises expanded thermoplastic polyurethane and/or expanded thermoplastic polyethylene, and the insole (18) is at least indirectly connected to the midsole (16) and at least partly covers the damping material (14). The sole (10) preferably comprises a first and/or a second midsole opening (20, 22) and/or a first and/or a second insole opening (24, 26). The invention further relates to a safety shoe (30) comprising such a sole (10) and shoe uppers (28) and to a method for producing the sole (10) or the shoe (30).