Segmented Footwear Sole with Grooves for Flexion and Support

Solution Overview

Problem

Current footwear often compromises between comfort and performance, with rigid soles providing support but hindering foot flexion, leading to fatigue, while softer soles offer flexibility but lack support, and high-performance materials increase costs.

Innovation Solution

A sole design featuring longitudinal and transverse grooves for enhanced flexibility, a central element for improved adherence, and potentially different materials for various parts to balance support and comfort, ensuring natural foot movement and reduced fatigue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid sole materials are used, then foot support is improved, but foot flexion is hindered causing foot fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot supportVSAvoidfoot flexion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sole is divided into multiple functional zones: a rigid rear portion (60% of length) for heel support, and a flexible front portion (40% of length) with longitudinal grooves for toe flexion. This segmentation allows different parts of the sole to have different stiffness characteristics, providing both support and flexibility where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sole are given different material properties and structural characteristics. The rear portion uses harder material for support, while the front portion incorporates grooves and softer material for flexibility. The central element provides localized adherence enhancement in the middle region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If softer sole materials are used, then foot flexion is improved, but foot support is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot flexionVSAvoidfoot support

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sole is divided into multiple functional zones: a rigid rear portion (60% of length) for heel support, and a flexible front portion (40% of length) with longitudinal grooves for toe flexion. This segmentation allows different parts of the sole to have different stiffness characteristics, providing both support and flexibility where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If finest materials are used, then performance and comfort are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort and performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sole is divided into multiple functional zones: a rigid rear portion (60% of length) for heel support, and a flexible front portion (40% of length) with longitudinal grooves for toe flexion. This segmentation allows different parts of the sole to have different stiffness characteristics, providing both support and flexibility where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sole are given different material properties and structural characteristics. The rear portion uses harder material for support, while the front portion incorporates grooves and softer material for flexibility. The central element provides localized adherence enhancement in the middle region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3607842B1Sole and shoe comprising said sole

Publication Date: 2021.01.13 FRAT BERDIN SRL

Figure 1

AI summary

The present invention refers to a sole suitable for improving walking, and a shoe comprising said sole, so that the shoe is made more comfortable and allows a better performance.