Segmented Midsole Structure for Ankle Angle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports shoes do not adequately reduce the change in angle of the ankle joint from landing to taking off, leading to increased foot fatigue during running and exercising.
Innovation Solution
A sole design with distinct support portions having varying elastic moduli, a buffer layer, and a plate structure that stabilize and uniformly distribute load across the ankle joint, reducing the change in ankle angle and enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a uniform midsole structure is used, then manufacturing is simple, but the ankle joint angle change from landing to taking off cannot be adequately reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is divided into multiple support portions (first support portion, second support portion, third support portion) with different elastic moduli positioned at specific locations. This segmentation allows each portion to independently manage different aspects of foot support and ankle stability, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and ankle joint stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the midsole are assigned different elastic moduli tailored to their specific functional requirements. The first support portion has a higher elastic modulus for structural support, while the second and third support portions have lower elastic moduli for cushioning and flexibility, optimizing local performance without requiring complete redesign of the entire midsole.
2Ease of operation
If the midsole is made softer to reduce impact, then comfort increases, but the ability to control ankle joint angle change deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole incorporates regions with different elastic moduli: softer regions (second and third support portions) provide comfort and impact absorption, while harder regions (first support portion) maintain ankle joint stability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between comfort and joint control.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole uses a composite structure combining materials or regions with different elastic moduli in a single integrated component. This allows the midsole to simultaneously exhibit both soft characteristics for comfort and hard characteristics for stability control within the same structure.
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 design effectively minimizes the change in ankle angle and reduces foot fatigue by distributing load uniformly, providing improved stability and comfort during running and exercising.
Implementation Method 1
the first support portion has an elastic modulus lower than an elastic modulus of the second support portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A sole (10) includes a midsole (100). The midsole (100) includes: a first support portion (110) that is configured to support a front portion of an MP joint of a wearer's foot; and a second support portion (120) that is configured to support a rear portion of the MP joint of the wearer's foot, the second support portion having a shape extending rearward from the first support portion (110) in a foot length direction. The first support portion (110) has an elastic modulus lower than an elastic modulus of the second support portion (120). The midsole (100) includes a thenar region (R1) surrounded by a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion. A boundary portion (115) between the first support portion (110) and the second support portion (120) passes through the thenar region (R1).