Shoe Sole Semi-Tubular Elements Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe sole designs fail to provide optimal cushioning and energy return while maintaining a natural feel and avoiding increased weight or cost.
Innovation Solution
A shoe sole construction featuring a footbed with deformable semi-tubular elements that nest into trough-shaped cavities in the midsole, providing improved cushioning and energy return through deformation and resilience, with a dispersion plate and outsole for enhanced support and airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional shock absorption materials (springs, gels, foams) are used in shoe soles, then cushioning and energy return are improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe sole is divided into multiple functional layers including a footbed with semi-tubular elements, a midsole with cavities, and an outsole. Each layer performs specific shock absorption and energy return functions, replacing traditional heavy monolithic materials with distributed lightweight structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The footbed incorporates semi-tubular elements with hollow interiors and the midsole contains cavities, creating porous structures that reduce material density while maintaining cushioning performance. These porous features trap air and provide spring-like energy return without the weight of solid materials.
2Reliability
If traditional shock absorption materials (springs, gels, foams) are used in shoe soles, then cushioning and energy return are improved, but the feel becomes unnatural
Solution Approach 1:
The semi-tubular elements are designed with specific geometric parameters including varying wall thicknesses, cavity dimensions, and arrangement patterns that optimize the deformation characteristics. These parameter optimizations enable the materials to deform in a manner that mimics natural foot cushioning while providing enhanced energy return.
3Reliability
If semi-tubular elements are made more deformable for better cushioning, then shock absorption is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The footbed combines semi-tubular elements made of elastomeric or foam materials with a supporting matrix structure. This composite construction allows the semi-tubular elements to deform for shock absorption while the surrounding matrix maintains overall structural integrity and prevents excessive deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-tubular elements are nested within the footbed structure and interlocked with the midsole cavities, creating a hierarchical structure where smaller deformable units are contained within a larger stable framework. This nesting arrangement enables localized deformation while maintaining global structural stability.
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 construction offers improved shock absorption and resilience, allowing for long-term comfort and responsiveness during various activities without adding weight or cost, by utilizing deformable semi-tubular elements that compress and rebound effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of semi-tubular elements includes an outer wall, an inner wall, a front end, a rear end, a first open side, a second open side, and at least one notch. The at least one notch improves the resilience and deformation of the semi-tubular elements so that they may compress under load into a plurality of trough-shaped cavities of the midsole.
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe sole includes a footbed, a midsole, and an outsole. The footbed includes deformable semi-tubular elements that protrude downward and are received in corresponding trough-shaped cavities of the midsole, which provide cushioning when the semi-tubular elements are compressed under load, and also provide a spring return effect. The semi-tubular elements may have a depth greater than a depth of a corresponding trough shaped cavity whereby the footbed is held in a raised position above the top surface of the midsole. The separation between the footbed and the top surface of the midsole is smaller in forefoot area and greater in the heel area. The separation provides shock absorption and resilience in the shoe because it allows the semi-tubular elements to deform under load and absorb impact shocks.