Shoe Midsole Cut for Shear Deformation and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional running shoes with thicker soles for improved impact buffering properties often compromise stability due to increased sole thickness, and existing voids in midsoles reduce the volume of foam material, leading to reduced stability and repulsion.
Innovation Solution
A shoe design featuring a midsole with linear cuts that do not intersect, forming a V shape at the deepest part, which promotes shear deformation and minimizes volume reduction, thereby enhancing impact buffering properties while maintaining stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If sole thickness is increased to improve impact buffering properties, then impact buffering is improved, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is segmented by introducing cuts that divide the foam material into separate regions. These cuts create boundaries that allow differential deformation while maintaining overall structural integrity, enabling the sole to be thicker for impact buffering without compromising stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuts are strategically positioned in specific regions of the midsole where local deformation is beneficial. By applying local quality changes through non-uniform cut placement, the patent enables enhanced impact buffering in certain areas while maintaining stability in other critical regions.
2Ease of operation
If voids are provided in the midsole to increase flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but stability and repulsion deteriorate due to reduced foam material volume
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating continuous voids, the patent uses segmented cuts that divide the foam material into distinct regions. This segmentation provides flexibility through the cut lines while preserving the majority of the foam material volume, thereby maintaining stability and repulsion properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuts create a controlled porous structure within the midsole that allows for flexibility without significant volume loss. The porous regions formed by the cuts enable deformation while the surrounding intact foam material maintains structural integrity and repulsion.
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 design improves impact buffering and stability by allowing for shear deformation without significant volume reduction in the foam material, providing better support and comfort during running.
Implementation Method 1
shear deformation of the midsole, with the cut as a boundary, can be promoted when a load is applied to the midsole
Implementation Method 2
the volume of the foam material, which should normally contribute to the repulsion and stability
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe includes a sole with a midsole, and an upper portion joined to the sole. The midsole includes a cut having a linear shape, and a depth from a first height position to a second height position in a thickness direction. The cut is configured such that a part of the cut has no contact point with an other part of the cut, and the cut forms a V shape at the deepest part on a cross section when opposite inner walls of the cut are spaced from each other.