Footwear Shock Pod Midsole Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Footwear soles face a challenge in balancing cushioning and support, as highly cushioned soles may lead to premature foot fatigue due to insufficient support, while overly firm soles may not provide adequate cushioning against impact.
Innovation Solution
A sole construction featuring a midsole made of harder, supportive material with integrated shock pods made of softer cushioning material, positioned in impact zones like the heel and forefoot, which can extend through holes in the midsole and outsole for enhanced shock absorption and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a highly cushioned sole is used to absorb impact forces, then impact absorption is improved, but foot support deteriorates leading to premature foot fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct regions within the sole with different material properties. The midsole uses a harder, more supportive material for overall structure, while the shock pod uses a softer, more compliant material specifically at impact zones (heel and forefoot). This localized differentiation allows the shock pod to provide targeted cushioning exactly where impact forces are concentrated, without compromising the supportive properties of the surrounding midsole material.
2Stability of the object's composition
If an overly firm sole is used to provide lateral support and stability, then foot support is improved, but cushioning deteriorates causing discomfort and insufficient protection against ground impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by designing the shock pod with a softer material specifically positioned at the heel and forefoot impact zones, while the surrounding midsole maintains a harder, more supportive material. This creates a localized cushioning region that provides comfort and impact protection precisely where needed, without making the entire sole overly soft and compromising overall foot support and stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If shock pods are integrated into the midsole with holes extending through the midsole, then shock absorption is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sole into distinct functional components: the midsole structure and the separate shock pod insert. The shock pod is positioned within a hole or recess in the midsole, creating a modular assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the midsole for overall support and the shock pod for targeted shock absorption - while simplifying the integration process through a straightforward insert-and-secure construction method.
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
This configuration provides superior impact absorption and structural support by mechanically locking shock pods with the midsole, reducing impact force transmission to the foot and enhancing stability through traction lugs and concentric grooves for improved comfort and protection.
Implementation Method 1
The shock pod can be constructed from a softer, cushioning material... efficiently cushions a wearer's foot from impact forces caused by activity
Implementation Method 2
The configuration of the midsole holes and the shock pods mechanically lock the pods with the midsole, and help transfer impact force from the ground into the midsole rather than directly to the wearer's foot
Implementation Method 3
The shock pod can include a lower portion having traction lugs. These lugs can extend through the outsole holes to form a ground contacting surface of the shock pod... can further diffuse ground impact force
Data Source
AI summary
A footwear construction including a sole component and shock pods that absorb impact forces caused by activity. The sole component can be a midsole defining at least one shock pod hole that reduces in dimension from a midsole lower surface toward a midsole upper surface. A shock pod can be joined with the midsole, and extend from the lower surface toward the upper surface. The midsole can be constructed from a harder material than the material from which the shock pod is constructed. A outsole can be joined with the midsole so that a lower portion of the shock pod, for example a traction lug, extends through the outsole to form a ground contacting surface. The shock pod and the shock pod hole can be of corresponding frustoconical shapes. A method is provided including joining a shock pod with a midsole, and joining an outsole with the midsole.