Shoe Sole Structure with Segmented Midsole Supports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shoe sole structures fail to effectively cushion the initial impact when the heel touches the ground, leading to inadequate reduction of plantar flexion angular velocity and instability, as the medial and lateral midsole portions do not bend pliantly in the longitudinal direction, causing the heel to swing excessively.

Innovation Solution

A sole structure with a midsole featuring a medial-side and lateral-side midsole portion that includes a plurality of supports arranged adjacent to each other with gaps, and a coupling portion to reduce displacement and twist, allowing the midsole to bend in the longitudinal direction and stabilize the heel, thereby cushioning the impact and maintaining stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the medial-side and lateral-side midsole portions extend long in the longitudinal direction, then the structural stability is improved, but the flexibility in the longitudinal direction deteriorates, causing the heel portion not to bend pliantly when touching the ground

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility in longitudinal direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole portions are divided into multiple segments along the longitudinal direction, with each segment capable of independent bending. This segmentation allows the heel portion to bend pliantly when touching the ground while maintaining overall structural stability through the bonded configuration of segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The midsole is constructed using composite material structure combining different layers and configurations that provide both flexibility for bending and stability for support. The composite structure enables the heel to deform smoothly during impact while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the midsole portions are divided into several parts by forming grooves, then the flexibility of the hindfoot portion is improved, but the stability deteriorates because the divided parts may excessively lean toward medial or lateral side when receiving initial impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of hindfoot portionVSAvoidstability against medial-lateral leaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is segmented into multiple parts along the longitudinal direction with bonding portions connecting them. This segmentation provides flexibility for bending during heel strike while the bonding portions prevent excessive medial-lateral leaning by maintaining structural connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bonding portions act as intermediaries between the divided midsole parts, allowing controlled movement for flexibility while preventing excessive lateral displacement. These bonding portions mediate between the need for flexibility and the need for stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the midsole portions are made as single continuous structure, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to cushion initial impact deteriorates due to insufficient bending flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidinitial impact cushioning ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is divided into multiple segments that can be manufactured separately and then bonded together. This segmentation enables each segment to be optimized for cushioning performance while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively cushions the initial impact, reduces plantar flexion angular velocity, and prevents the heel from swinging, allowing for a stable step and optimal load path guidance during walking or running.

Implementation Method 1

a midsole made from an elastic material and overlaid above the outsole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10455892B2Sole structure for shoes and shoe with the sole structure

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 MIZUNO CORPORATION

AI summary

Disclosed is a sole structure for shoes, which includes a lower midsole. The lower midsole includes a medial-side midsole portion which extends in a medial side portion of a heel region supporting a heel of a wearer's foot, and a lateral-side midsole portion which extends in a lateral side portion of the heel region, and which faces, and is spaced apart from, the medial-side midsole portion in a foot width direction. The lateral-side midsole portion includes supports which are arranged adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction with a gap interposed therebetween and which support the wearer's heel, and a coupling portion which is provided in the gap, and couples the adjacent supports to each other to reduce displacement or twist in the foot width direction occurring between the adjacent supports.