Segmented Shoe Sole with Cavities for Gait Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe designs lack effective integration of sole members to enhance flexibility and gait dynamics, particularly in transitioning from heel strike to forefoot rolling, with limited materials and structural features to optimize comfort and durability.
Innovation Solution
A shoe design featuring a lower sole member with longitudinal cavities and sipes, combined with an upper sole member of varying durometer hardness, facilitating a specific gait pattern by allowing initial ground contact at the lateral heel and rolling to the medial forefoot, with durable outsole members for enhanced wear resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single solid sole member is used, then structural strength is maintained, but flexibility and gait dynamics are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sole is divided into multiple separate sole members (first sole member, second sole member, third sole member) that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the sole to flex and adapt to gait dynamics while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected design of the members.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sole members are made from materials with different durometer hardness values. The first sole member has a first durometer hardness, the second sole member has a second durometer hardness, and the third sole member has a third durometer hardness. This composite material approach allows optimization of flexibility in specific regions while maintaining strength in load-bearing areas.
2Ease of operation
If uniform material hardness is used throughout the sole, then manufacturing is simplified, but gait transition comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the sole are assigned different material properties through the use of multiple sole members with varying durometer hardness. This allows optimization of comfort and flexibility in specific areas (such as the forefoot region) while maintaining durability in high-wear areas, directly addressing gait transition comfort without oversimplifying the manufacturing process.
3Ease of operation
If additional structural features are added to enhance flexibility, then gait dynamics improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sole is divided into multiple separate sole members (first sole member, second sole member, third sole member) that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the sole to flex and adapt to gait dynamics while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected design of the members.
Data Source
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AI summary
A shoe comprises a sole and an upper. The sole comprises a lower sole member and an upper sole member. The lower sole member includes a plurality of sipes and a longitudinal cavity. The longitudinal cavity is at least in a sole midfoot region and extends downwardly from a top surface of the lower sole member. The plurality of sipes extend upwardly from the bottom surface of the lower sole member and intersect the longitudinal cavity such that the plurality of sipes and the longitudinal cavity combine to define a plurality of through openings. The upper sole member is within the cavity and covers the plurality of through openings.