Shoe Upper Linear Body Structure for Outsole Tension Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In shoes where the outsole, midsole, and upper can be engaged, the tension on the midsole and upper is not sufficiently applied to the outsole, leading to a deterioration in fit feeling.

Innovation Solution

The shoe design incorporates a plurality of linear bodies in the upper that extend in intersecting directions, with a first portion connected to the outsole's side surface and a second portion where adjacent linear bodies are caught, allowing for effective tension application to the outsole, enhancing its fit with the midsole and upper.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the outsole, midsole, and upper are designed to be engaged with each other for easy disassembly, then the ease of repair is improved, but the tension on the midsole and upper is not sufficiently applied to the outsole, causing the fit feeling to deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of disassemblyVSAvoidfit feeling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The linear bodies are divided into multiple portions (first portion, second portion, third portion) with distinct functions. The first portion connects to the outsole, the second portion is caught by adjacent linear bodies, and the third portion extends to the upper. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both easy disassembly (through modular linear body sections) and proper tension application (through the distributed connection points on the outsole)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the linear bodies have different properties and functions. The first portion is designed for connection to the outsole side surface, the second portion is designed to be caught by adjacent linear bodies, and the third portion connects to the upper. This local differentiation ensures that each part performs its specific function optimally, maintaining both disassembly ease and fit quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the linear bodies are connected to the outsole side surface portion, then the tension application to the outsole is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the multiple portions and catching mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetension applicationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The linear bodies are integrated into the upper structure, combining the functions of tension application, structural support, and fastening in a single element. The multiple portions of each linear body work together as a unified system, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining effective tension application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4663055A1shoe
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 ASICS CORP
  • EP4663055A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4663055A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4663055A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A shoe (1) includes an outsole (31) having a ground contact surface (311), a midsole (32) positioned above the outsole (31), an upper (2) positioned above the outsole (31) and the midsole (32) and covering at least a part of a foot of a wearer, and a plurality of linear bodies (21) disposed in the upper (2), extending in a first direction, and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The outsole (31) includes a side surface portion extending from the ground contact surface (311) and covering at least a part of a side surface of the midsole (32). The plurality of linear bodies (21) include a first portion (21a) connected to the side surface portion of the outsole (31), and a second portion (21b) which is disposed in a portion other than the first portion (21a) and in which the plurality of linear bodies (21) adjacent to each other are caught by each other.