Shoe Sole Void Cell Arrays for Tailored Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stacked layers of identical void cells in shoe soles fail to provide varying degrees of compression and rebound characteristics, leading to inconsistent cushioning across different areas of the shoe sole.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a shoe sole design with two geometrically different arrays of interconnected void cells, where the top and bottom matrices have distinct shapes, sizes, and orientations, allowing for varying compression and rebound properties in different regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If stacked layers of identical void cells are used, then manufacturing is simple and consistent, but cushioning characteristics are uniform across all areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidvarying cushioning characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the void cell geometry (shape, size, orientation) in different regions of the shoe sole. Each region has customized void cell characteristics tailored to provide specific cushioning and support properties needed for that particular area, rather than using identical cells throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetry by using void cells with different geometric configurations in different layers and regions. The void cells are not uniform symmetric shapes but rather have asymmetric geometries that differ between stacked layers, enabling differentiated mechanical properties in various directions and locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If varying void cell geometries are used in different regions, then tailored cushioning is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetailored cushioning characteristicsVSAvoidvoid cell arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the shoe sole into multiple stacked layers, with each layer containing void cells of specific geometries. This segmentation allows independent design and optimization of each layer's void cell characteristics while maintaining overall structural coherence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves complexity by transitioning from two-dimensional planar variations to three-dimensional stacked arrangements. The varying void cell geometries are distributed across multiple stacked layers, adding the vertical dimension to the design space and enabling tailored cushioning through layer composition rather than complex in-plane variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11330861B2Void cell arrangements with differing void cells

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 SKYDEX TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A shoe sole comprises a first array of interconnected void cells that is oriented adjacent to a second opposing array of interconnected void cells, wherein the second opposing array of interconnected void cells is geometrically different from the first array of void cells and includes at least one void cell with an asymmetrical perimeter.