Shearing Midsole Structure for Cushioning and Energy Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe soles, particularly for sports shoes, fail to optimally balance cushioning and energy return, often requiring bulky components that increase joint loads and energy consumption, and do not effectively reduce the risk of injuries during athletic activities.
Innovation Solution
A sole design featuring an upper midsole layer and a lower midsole layer with a shearing structure that allows relative movement between them, utilizing sliding and internal friction to dampen forces and reduce kinetic energy, thereby enhancing cushioning and energy return while minimizing joint loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bulky cushioning components are used to improve cushioning performance, then cushioning is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is divided into an upper midsole layer and a lower midsole layer that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the cushioning function to be distributed across multiple layers rather than requiring a single bulky component, thereby improving cushioning performance while maintaining structural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a shearing structure that enables dynamic relative movement between the upper and lower midsole layers. This dynamic capability allows the midsole to adapt to impact forces in real-time, providing effective cushioning without requiring excessive material or complex static structures.
2Use of energy by moving object
If high energy return materials are used to reduce energy consumption, then energy return is improved, but cushioning effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shearing structure enables dynamic interaction between midsole layers that can control energy dissipation. During impact, the layers move relative to each other, creating friction that dissipates energy to protect the foot. During the propulsive phase, the structure can return energy efficiently, thus balancing cushioning effectiveness with energy return.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the midsole system by introducing controlled friction through the shearing structure. This allows the system to exhibit different energy characteristics during different phases of the gait cycle - high energy dissipation during impact and high energy return during propulsion - without requiring different materials.
3Reliability
If friction-based cushioning is used to reduce joint loads, then cushioning is improved, but energy return decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shearing structure provides dynamic friction control that adapts to the gait cycle. During impact, friction between layers dissipates energy to reduce joint loads. During the propulsive phase, the layers can move more freely to allow energy return, thus balancing protection with performance.
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 shearing structure in the midsole layers improves cushioning and reduces joint impacts, minimizing muscle fatigue and injury risk, particularly during downhill running, by controlling relative movement and generating frictional forces that absorb and dissipate energy.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing sliding and internal friction to dampen forces and reduce kinetic energy
Implementation Method 2
a shearing structure, arranged in the midsole; wherein the shearing structure is configured to allow a relative movement between the upper midsole layer and the lower midsole layer
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a sole (101) for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, such as a running shoe, the sole (101) comprising: a midsole (110) comprising an upper midsole layer (120) and a lower midsole layer (125), the upper midsole layer (120) and the lower midsole layer (125) being distinct from one another; and a shearing structure (130), arranged in the midsole (110); wherein the shearing structure (130) is configured to allow a relative movement between the upper midsole layer (120) and the lower midsole layer (125).