Self-Adjusting Footwear Studs with Variable Compressibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traction elements in footwear are static and fail to adapt to varying surface conditions and forces, leading to inadequate support and traction during athletic movements and on different environmental surfaces, necessitating multiple pairs of cleated footwear.
Innovation Solution
The development of self-adjusting studs with varying compressibility, where a first portion remains uncompressed and a second portion compresses based on surface hardness, allowing the stud to change its traction characteristics and adapt to different surfaces and forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static traction elements are used in footwear, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the traction capability cannot adapt to varying surface conditions and forces
Solution Approach 1:
The stud is divided into multiple portions (first portion and second portion) with different compressibility characteristics. The first portion has lower compressibility while the second portion has higher compressibility, allowing each segment to respond differently to applied forces and surface conditions, thereby achieving adaptive traction without complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the stud are赋予 different local properties - the first portion is designed with specific compressibility for initial contact and the second portion with different compressibility for subsequent engagement. This local differentiation enables the stud to provide optimized traction characteristics for various phases of ground contact.
2Adaptability or versatility
If athletes wear multiple pairs of cleated footwear for different surfaces, then traction can be optimized for each surface, but cost and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The stud design enables a single pair of footwear to perform multiple functions by automatically adapting to different surface conditions. The multi-portion structure with varying compressibility allows the same stud to effectively engage with both soft and hard surfaces, eliminating the need for multiple specialized footwear pairs.
3Reliability
If static traction elements move as a single unit with the footwear, then manufacturing is simplified, but traction performance deteriorates during sudden athletic movements
Solution Approach 1:
The stud transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, multi-stage compression system. The first and second portions compress at different rates and to different degrees in response to applied forces, allowing the stud to dynamically adjust its traction characteristics during athletic movements rather than moving as a single rigid unit.
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 self-adjusting studs provide enhanced versatility and stability by tailoring traction to specific movements and terrain conditions, reducing the risk of injury from unfamiliar field conditions and eliminating the need for multiple footwear pairs.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion having a first compressibility and a second portion having a second compressibility that is greater than the first compressibility
Data Source
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AI summary
Articles of footwear may include self-adjusting studs that adjust to various types of conditions, environmental changes, and applied forces. The self-adjusting studs may have a first portion and a second portion of different levels of compressibilities and/or retractabilities that compress and extend based on the type of surface on which the wearer is walking or running. This footwear with self-adjusting studs may easily transition between surfaces of varying hardness without causing damage to the surface, but also providing the wearer with the necessary amount of traction on each type of surface. Wearers will enjoy the benefit of being able to move on various surfaces without the need to change their footwear multiple times to accommodate the wearer's varying traction needs on different surfaces.