Shoe Sole Supporting Element with Variable Bending Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoes are designed for a single field of application and do not dynamically adapt to changing movement intensity ranges, leading to inefficiencies and potential injuries during transitions between low and high-intensity movements.
Innovation Solution
A sole and shoe design featuring a supporting element with varying bending stiffness, transitioning from a low stiffness for natural movement at lower intensities to a higher stiffness for enhanced force transfer during high-intensity activities, utilizing mechanisms like tensile or compressive stress to adjust bending properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a shoe sole is designed with high bending stiffness to provide support and force transfer during high-intensity movements, then force transfer and traction are improved, but natural movement patterns are restricted during low-intensity movements
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element incorporates a non-linear bending stiffness characteristic that dynamically adapts to movement intensity. During low-intensity movements, the element remains flexible to allow natural movement patterns. During high-intensity movements, the element transitions to a stiffer state to provide enhanced force transfer and support, thus resolving the contradiction between support and natural movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting element is designed with varying bending stiffness along its length, with different sections having different stiffness characteristics. This gradient stiffness design allows the element to provide appropriate support at specific locations while maintaining flexibility in other areas, enabling both natural movement and force transfer capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If a shoe sole is designed with low bending stiffness to allow natural movement at lower intensities, then natural movement patterns are maintained, but force transfer and support are reduced during high-intensity activities
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element exhibits dynamic stiffness characteristics that automatically adjust based on the applied load. During low-intensity movements with smaller forces, the element remains compliant to maintain natural movement patterns. When high-intensity movements generate larger forces, the element transitions to a stiffer response to provide adequate support and force transfer, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and strength.
3Productivity
If a shoe is designed for a single field of application with fixed bending stiffness, then performance is optimized for that specific application, but adaptability to different movement intensity ranges is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element is designed to perform multiple functions across different movement intensity ranges. It provides flexibility for natural movement during low-intensity activities while simultaneously providing support and force transfer during high-intensity activities. This multi-functional design allows a single shoe to adapt to various movement patterns and intensity levels, resolving the contradiction between performance optimization and adaptability.
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 performance and reduces the risk of injury by maintaining natural movement patterns at lower intensities while providing improved force transfer and traction during high-intensity activities.
Implementation Method 1
The supporting element comprises at least two elastically-deformable elements and which is used to store and release energy when said sole is subjected to lateral stresses
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2a
Figure 2b~2e
AI summary
A sole for a shoe, in particular a soccer shoe, as well as a shoe with such a sole are described. A sole for a shoe, in particular a soccer shoe, comprises a supporting element and an outsole with a number of cleat elements. The supporting element is provided such that it comprises a first bending stiffness for bendings from an initial state without bending up to a threshold angle range and comprises a second bending stiffness for bendings beyond the threshold angle range, wherein the second bending stiffness is larger than the first bending stiffness. The outsole further comprises a window and the supporting element is visible from the outside through the window.