Shoe Sole Energy Return via Segmented Plate and Resilient Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoe soles fail to effectively store and return energy during running, leading to inefficient joint stability and body alignment, and often result in premature deformation and increased risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
The shoe sole design incorporates a layered combination of materials, including a foundation, resiliently compressible elements, plate elements, and lugs, where the plate elements distribute pressure over a larger area and the lugs are elastically interconnected to enhance energy return and reduce deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional shoe soles use cushioning materials to protect the runner's foot, then shock absorption is improved, but joint stability and body alignment are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe sole is divided into multiple functional layers: a resiliently compressible element for shock absorption, plate elements for structural support and pressure distribution, and a foundation for stability. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without compromising overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoe sole combines multiple materials with different properties: resiliently compressible material (such as foam or elastomer) for energy absorption, rigid plate elements (such as plastic or metal) for structural support, and a foundation material for stability. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by providing both cushioning and support simultaneously.
2Loss of energy
If shoe soles use resiliently compressible materials for energy storage, then energy return is improved, but the materials are prone to long-term deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The resiliently compressible element is separated from the structural support function by introducing plate elements. The resilient material focuses on energy storage and return, while the rigid plates provide structural integrity and resist deformation, allowing each component to optimize its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate elements act as intermediaries between the resiliently compressible element and the foot/ground. They distribute pressure evenly across the resilient material, preventing localized over-compression and deformation while still allowing the resilient material to store and return energy effectively.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If shoe soles increase cushioning material to protect the foot, then shock absorption is improved, but the foot collapses into the shoe
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe sole is segmented into distinct functional zones: resiliently compressible elements positioned to absorb shock, plate elements positioned to provide structural support and prevent collapse, and a foundation for overall stability. This segmentation ensures that cushioning and support functions are spatially separated and optimized.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of resiliently compressible material and rigid plate elements creates a composite structure where the soft material provides foot protection through shock absorption, while the rigid plates prevent foot collapse by maintaining structural integrity during weight-bearing phases.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If shoe soles use traditional materials for shock dampening, then cushioning is provided, but energy is lost rather than stored and returned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional shock-dampening materials to resiliently compressible materials with high energy return properties. This parameter change allows the material to store elastic energy during compression and return it during decompression, transforming the energy loss characteristic into an energy recovery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines resiliently compressible materials optimized for energy storage and return with rigid plate elements for structural support. This combination enables the shoe sole to dampen shock effectively while minimizing energy loss, as the resilient material stores and returns energy rather than dissipating it as heat.
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
This design improves the speed of sole rebound, enhances energy return to the wearer, and reduces the likelihood of permanent deformation, thereby improving athletic performance and joint stability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resiliently compressible element positioned in the recess to underlie a region of a metatarsal bone of the foot
Implementation Method 2
The plate elements can be configured to transfer individually pressure between the foot and the resiliently compressible element
Implementation Method 3
The lugs can be located on a side of the resiliently compressible material that is opposite the plate elements and can be configured to contact the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe sole can comprise one or more resiliently compressible elements received in a foundation and located by the foundation to underlie a portion of a foot, such as metatarsal heads, when the shoe is worn. The resiliently compressible element or elements can be shaped to reduce coupling of compression of adjacent regions of the resiliently compressible element. One or more plate elements can be positioned between the resiliently compressible elements and the foot, e.g. under the metatarsal heads. The plate elements can be separated from each other by spaces, such as slots, to reduce coupling of movement of adjacent plate elements. The plate elements can be elastically interconnected at the spaces between them. A plurality of lugs configured to contact the ground can be located on a lower surface of the foundation such that they are generally aligned with the plate elements. The plurality of lugs can be elastically interconnected.