Sports Shoe Sole Structure for Shear Absorption and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe soles fail to effectively absorb horizontal shear forces during running, leading to excessive burden on the movement apparatus and increased risk of injuries, while increasing shear capacity compromises stability and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A shoe sole design incorporating a cushioning element with randomly arranged particles of expanded material and a control element that selectively influences shear capacity, allowing for regions with varying intrinsic shear resistance, combined with a decoupling region for additional shear absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shear capacity of the shoe sole is increased to absorb shear forces during running, then the protection against injuries is improved, but the stability of the shoe is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe sole is designed with regions of different shear capacities: a first region (heel area) with high shear capacity to absorb impact forces, and a second region (forefoot area) with lower shear capacity to maintain stability. This spatial differentiation of material properties allows the sole to provide both injury protection and stability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole is divided into multiple functional regions with distinct shear capacities. The heel region incorporates materials or structures with higher shear resistance to absorb impact forces during initial contact, while the forefoot region uses materials with lower shear resistance to maintain stability during push-off, thereby resolving the contradiction between protection and stability.
2Reliability
If the shear capacity of the shoe sole is increased to absorb shear forces, then the burden on movement apparatus is reduced, but the wear comfort is reduced due to sensation of slipping
Solution Approach 1:
The sole features localized variation in shear capacity where the heel region has high shear resistance to absorb impact forces and reduce burden on joints, while the forefoot region has lower shear resistance to prevent excessive force transmission that would cause discomfort and slipping sensation, thus balancing protection and comfort.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single material is used for the shoe sole to simplify manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to provide both cushioning and stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe sole employs composite construction with multiple materials having different shear capacities and cushioning properties. The heel region uses materials with high shear resistance and cushioning properties, while the forefoot region uses materials with lower shear resistance, creating a multi-material sole that provides both comfort and stability while being manufacturable through conventional processes.
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
Enhances running efficiency and wear comfort by reducing joint impact and minimizing injury risk through targeted shear force absorption, while maintaining stability and simplifying manufacturing with common materials.
Implementation Method 1
Expanded thermoplastic urethane distinguishes itself by a low weight and particularly good elasticity and cushioning properties
Implementation Method 2
In addition to cushioning and absorbing the shock energy produced when the foot treads on the ground
Data Source
AI summary
Improved soles for shoes, in particular for sports shoes, are described. A sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, is provided, said sole having a cushioning element that includes randomly arranged particles of an expanded material and a control element. The control element is free from expanded material and reduces the shearing motions in a first region of the cushioning element compared to shearing motions in a second region of the cushioning element.