Segmented Footwear Sole Structure for Lateral Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Current athletic shoe soles lack optimal flexibility and traction, particularly in resisting lateral bending while accommodating vertical bending and torsion, which can lead to discomfort and reduced performance during various athletic activities.

Innovation Solution

A sole structure featuring a plate member with segmented portions and a compressible member, including a central flexing region and outwardly extending flexing regions, which separates the segmented portions and provides enhanced flexibility and traction by allowing vertical bending and torsion while resisting lateral bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the sole structure uses a continuous plate member, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and ability to accommodate foot motion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The plate member is divided into multiple discrete segmented portions that are spaced apart from each other. This segmentation allows the sole to maintain structural integrity through the plate while enabling flexibility and independent motion of each segmented portion, accommodating foot deformation during athletic activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sole structure incorporates flexing regions that enable dynamic movement and adaptation. The segmented portions can move independently relative to each other, and the compressible member allows the sole to deform and recover, providing adaptability to various foot motions while maintaining overall structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sole structure uses discrete segmented portions, then flexibility is improved, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the sole are designed with different properties: the plate member provides rigid structural support in areas requiring stability, while the segmented portions and flexing regions provide flexibility where needed. The compressible member is strategically placed to provide localized cushioning and motion accommodation, creating a sole with spatially varying characteristics that balance stability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the sole structure resists lateral bending, then stability is improved, but ability to accommodate natural foot motion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidability to accommodate foot motion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The plate member is divided into multiple discrete segmented portions that are spaced apart from each other. This segmentation allows the sole to maintain structural integrity through the plate while enabling flexibility and independent motion of each segmented portion, accommodating foot deformation during athletic activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sole structure incorporates flexing regions that enable dynamic movement and adaptation. The segmented portions can move independently relative to each other, and the compressible member allows the sole to deform and recover, providing adaptability to various foot motions while maintaining overall structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the sole structure allows vertical bending and torsion, then comfort is improved, but resistance to lateral bending deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidresistance to lateral bending

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the sole are designed with different properties: the plate member provides rigid structural support in areas requiring stability, while the segmented portions and flexing regions provide flexibility where needed. The compressible member is strategically placed to provide localized cushioning and motion accommodation, creating a sole with spatially varying characteristics that balance stability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 sole structure enhances athletic performance by providing improved flexibility, traction, and comfort by allowing vertical bending and torsion while resisting lateral bending, thus better supporting the foot during various activities.

Implementation Method 1

The compressible member includes a central flexing region extending from a forefoot portion of the sole structure to a heel portion of the sole structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Each of the segmented portions is discrete and detached from each adjacent one of the segmented portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11154116B2Sole structure with segmented portions

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 NIKE INC

AI summary

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an upper layer comprised of a plate member and a lower layer comprised of a plurality of segmented portions separated by flexing regions. The flexing regions may comprise portions of a compressible material. The sole structure accommodates vertical bending and torsion, while limiting lateral bending.