Shoe Sole with Wave Pattern Lugs for Force Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cushioning systems in footwear fail to effectively manage both vertical and horizontal forces during activities like trail running, often suffer from preloading due to continuous midsole designs, and require customization for specific activities, lacking adequate protection and stability.
Innovation Solution
A sole design featuring a dual-layer midsole with varying hardness and a wave pattern outsole, where individual lugs compress independently to absorb forces, providing enhanced cushioning and traction while allowing for customizable wave patterns to suit different activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a continuous midsole design is used, then structural stability is improved, but preloading occurs and cushioning potential is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous midsole is divided into multiple independent cell structures arranged in rows and columns. Each cell can compress independently without affecting adjacent cells, eliminating the preloading problem while maintaining structural stability. The segmented design allows each cell to reset independently after compression.
2Force
If traditional cushioning systems focus on vertical forces, then vertical impact protection is improved, but horizontal force management is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cell structures are designed with specific geometric configurations that provide different cushioning characteristics in different directions. The varying cell geometries and arrangements create zones with different stiffness properties, enabling effective management of both vertical impacts and horizontal forces throughout the midsole structure.
3Reliability
If cushioning systems are customized for specific activities, then performance for that activity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole design uses a universal cell structure pattern that can be configured with different parameters (cell size, spacing, geometry) to serve multiple activities. The same basic segmented cell design provides effective cushioning for running, walking, and trail activities by adjusting the distribution and characteristics of cells rather than requiring completely different system designs.
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 design effectively dissipates both vertical and horizontal forces, reduces preloading, and offers customizable cushioning characteristics, enhancing comfort and protection across various terrains and activities.
Implementation Method 1
individual lugs compress independently to absorb forces
Implementation Method 2
individual lugs compress independently to absorb forces
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A shoe sole (10) having improved cushioning characteristics is disclosed. The sole includes a midsole (12) having a top layer of material (14) and a bottom layer of material (16). In one embodiment, the top layer of material may be harder than the bottom layer of material. A pattern (18) of lugs (22) defining a wave may be formed on the bottom layer of material. The wave may generally be in the shape of sine wave so as to provide improved cushioning characteristics for the sole. An outsole (20) may also be formed on the bottom layer of material and an upper may be connected to the top layer of material, such that a shoe is formed.