Shoe Sole Structure with Corrugated Support for Impact Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sole structures for sport shoes prioritize stability over comfort, leading to an uncomfortable feeling due to localized reaction forces during impact, as they lack effective dispersion of impact forces across the plantar surface.

Innovation Solution

A sole structure featuring a support system with a base and upper/lower supports that follow the plantar surface, dispersing impact forces and enhancing rigidity through a corrugated design, thereby reducing discomfort and maintaining stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the corrugated sheet has corrugations of relatively large amplitude uniformly across the entire foot width to increase the rigidity against compression, then the stability of the foot is improved, but the peaks of the upper surface give an uncomfortable feeling by sticking into the plantar surface of the foot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of the footVSAvoiduncomfortable feeling on plantar surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the corrugation characteristics across different regions of the foot. The corrugated sheet has larger amplitude corrugations in the heel region to provide stability, while the forefoot region has smaller amplitude corrugations to avoid discomfort. This spatial variation in corrugation amplitude allows each region to be optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the corrugated sheet into multiple regions with different corrugation characteristics. By dividing the foot width direction into distinct zones (heel, midfoot, forefoot) and assigning different corrugation amplitudes to each, the design achieves both stability and comfort without requiring uniform corrugation patterns throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the corrugated sheet is made harder to ensure stability, then the rigidity against compression is improved, but the comfort of the plantar surface deteriorates due to localized reaction forces during impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity against compressionVSAvoidlocalized reaction force on plantar surface

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by varying the hardness and corrugation amplitude locally across different foot regions. The heel area uses harder material with larger corrugations for stability, while the forefoot uses softer material with smaller corrugations to dissipate impact forces and prevent localized discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes multiple parameters (corrugation amplitude, material hardness, layer thickness) across different regions of the corrugated sheet. By systematically varying these parameters spatially, the design achieves optimal balance between rigidity for stability and compliance for comfort in each specific foot region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 sole structure effectively disperses impact forces, reducing discomfort and maintaining stability by distributing reaction forces across the plantar surface and enhancing rigidity, ensuring both comfort and stability during walking or running.

Implementation Method 1

when, for example, vertical impact occurs in the sole structure at the time of contact on the ground during walking or running, peaks of the upper surface of the corrugated sheet may give the feeling that the peaks are sticking into the plantar surface of the foot. That is, reaction force caused by the impact acts locally on the plantar surface via the peaks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force dispersion: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

a support positioned in a middle portion, in a thickness direction, of the sole body and made of a thin layer harder than the sole body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical support: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

The lower support is continuous with the side portion of the base so as to be located under the upper support, and has a corrugated shape having peaks and valleys alternating with each other in a longitudinal direction along the side portion of the base. The corrugated shape improves the rigidity of the lower support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorrugation structural reinforcement: Corrugation

Data Source

PatentUS10758003B2Sole structure for shoes and shoe with the sole structure

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 MIZUNO CORPORATION

AI summary

A support of a sole structure includes a base disposed in a middle region in a foot width direction and having an upper surface which follows a plantar surface of a wearer's foot, and upper and lower supports continuous with a side portion of the base on a medial side in the foot width direction. The upper support has an upper surface that is continuous with the side portion of the base such that the upper surface of the upper support, together with the upper surface of the base, follows the plantar surface. The lower support is continuous with the side portion of the base so as to be located under the upper support, and has a corrugated shape having peaks and valleys alternating with each other in a longitudinal direction along the side portion of the base.