Shoe Sole Arc Support Structure for Cushioning and Energy Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports shoes fail to simultaneously meet the functions of energy transfer from the metatarsophalangeal joint, good flexion of the metatarsophalangeal joint, and energy absorption during touchdown, while also lacking sufficient support and energy return.
Innovation Solution
A shoe sole with a support structure featuring a flexible support piece made of carbon fiber or TPU, designed with raised or recessed arc sections and a support plate, which facilitates energy conversion and return through elastic deformation, enhancing shock absorption and energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If shock-absorbing material is used in the midsole, then energy absorption during touchdown is improved, but support and energy return are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines shock-absorbing material with a rigid support plate in a composite structure. The support plate (made of rigid material) is embedded within or integrated with the shock-absorbing midsole material, creating a composite system that simultaneously provides both cushioning and structural support during landing.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate is strategically positioned in specific regions of the midsole (such as the heel or lateral areas) where additional support is needed. This localized reinforcement allows the shoe to maintain shock absorption in other areas while providing enhanced support where required.
2Strength
If midsole bending stiffness is increased to improve support and energy return, then energy transfer is improved, but cushioning performance is sacrificed
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid support plate is embedded within the flexible shock-absorbing midsole material, creating a composite structure where the rigid plate provides bending stiffness for support and energy return, while the surrounding soft material maintains cushioning performance by absorbing impact loads.
3Strength
If rigid plates are embedded to improve support, then energy return is improved, but flexibility of the metatarsophalangeal joint is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is positioned in the heel or midfoot regions, deliberately avoiding the forefoot area where the metatarsophalangeal joint requires flexibility. This localized placement allows the plate to provide support where needed without interfering with natural joint movement during toe-off.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole is divided into regions with different properties: a rigid support plate in areas requiring structural support, and flexible shock-absorbing material in areas requiring joint movement. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both support and flexibility in different zones.
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 sole effectively converts kinetic energy into elastic potential energy during touchdown and releases it during the stirrup stage, improving sports performance by facilitating bouncing and energy return.
Implementation Method 1
The support piece is set with a number of raised arc sections or/and concave arc sections along the width direction of the shoe sole... converts kinetic energy into elastic potential energy of the sole support structure, and converts the elastic potential energy into human kinetic energy again
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a support structure for a shoe sole, including a support piece with elasticity, the support piece is provided at the forefoot or/and arch position of the shoe sole and is laid out along the width direction of the shoe sole, the support piece is provided with a number of raised arc sections or/and concave arc sections along the width direction of the shoe sole. The present invention also discloses shoe soles and athletic shoes, including the support structure described above, the shoe sole support structure bonded or integrally molded to the upper surface of the shoe midsole, or bonded or integrally molded between the shoe midsole and the shoe outsole, or embedded inside the shoe midsole. The present invention can convert the human kinetic energy in the touchdown and cushioning stages into the elastic potential energy of the sole support structure, and convert the elastic potential energy into human kinetic energy again in the stirrup stage, thus facilitating bouncing and improving the sports effect.