Shoe Midsole with Harder Elastic Band and Insert for Dynamic Heel Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shoe designs fail to provide adequate dynamic and comfortable heel support, particularly for individuals with biomechanical issues such as calcaneus valgus foot, as they often rely on rigid materials that do not effectively distribute force and pressure.
Innovation Solution
A shoe sole design featuring a midsole composed of harder and softer elastic materials, with a band of harder elastic material around the periphery and insert within the softer material, providing progressive elasticity and support, allowing for dynamic heel support and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid non-elastic material is used for the sole, then structural support and durability are improved, but comfort and adaptability to foot biomechanics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sole is constructed as a composite structure combining harder elastic material (for structural support) and softer elastic material (for comfort and adaptability). This multi-material approach allows the sole to simultaneously provide durability and biomechanical adaptability, resolving the contradiction between strength and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sole are assigned different material properties - the harder elastic material provides structural support in load-bearing areas, while the softer elastic material provides comfort and adaptability in contact areas. This spatial differentiation of material qualities resolves the contradiction between structural support and comfort.
2Strength
If harder elastic material is used throughout the midsole, then structural support is improved, but comfort and pressure distribution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole uses local quality differentiation by placing softer elastic material in areas requiring pressure distribution and comfort, while using harder elastic material in areas requiring structural support. This spatial variation in material properties resolves the contradiction between structural support and pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of harder and softer elastic materials in the midsole creates a composite structure that simultaneously provides structural support and effective pressure distribution, eliminating the need to choose between these conflicting requirements.
3Ease of operation
If softer elastic material is used throughout the midsole, then comfort is improved, but structural support and force guidance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole implements local quality by positioning softer elastic material in comfort-critical areas and harder elastic material in force-guidance areas. This spatial differentiation allows the sole to simultaneously provide comfort and effective force guidance to the foot's bones, joints, and muscles.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of harder and softer elastic materials enables the midsole to deliver both comfort and structural support functions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
4Ease of manufacture
If uniform material density is used in the sole, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but dynamic adaptability and progressive support deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sole employs local quality by varying material density and composition across different regions - softer material in comfort areas, harder material in support areas. This spatial variation provides dynamic adaptability while remaining manufacturable through conventional molding techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of composite materials with different elastic properties allows the sole to achieve progressive support characteristics - initially soft for comfort, then progressively firmer for support - while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through integrated molding processes.
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 shoe design offers a combination of comfort and dynamic control by initially being soft and then becoming more rigid under compression, reducing heel sinkage and providing enhanced weight distribution, suitable for various foot types and conditions, including those with diabetes and for running.
Implementation Method 1
a midsole, comprising a harder elastic material, a softer elastic material
Implementation Method 2
providing progressive elasticity and support, allowing for dynamic heel support and comfort
Implementation Method 3
the harder elastic material is arranged in a band inside the periphery along the sides and heel of the midsole
Implementation Method 4
at least one insert having a higher elastic hardness than the harder elastic material and the softer elastic material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a shoe with a sole providing a dynamic heel support, the shoe comprising a rubber outsole, a midsole comprising a harder elastic material, a softer elastic material, and at least one insert having a higher elastic hardness than the harder elastic material and the softer elastic material, and a higher resistance against bending, wherein the harder elastic material has elastic hardness in a range 1.3 to 3 times higher than the softer elastic material. The shoe is is distinguished in that the harder elastic material is arranged in a band inside the periphery along the sides and heel of the midsole, wherein the softer elastic material is arranged in the midsole inside the band of the harder elastic material, wherein the at least one insert is arranged within the softer elastic material, at least in the heel part of the midsole, and wherein the thickness of the softer elastic material above the insert in the heel part of the midsole is at least 0.5 times the thickness of the insert and the thickness of the softer elastic material below the insert in the heel part of the midsole is at least 1 times the thickness of the insert as measured at a centreline of the insert, excluding the thickness of any ribs on the inlay.