Winged Shoe Sole Structure With Angled Traction Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing athletic shoe soles with traction elements are limited in the angles at which they can contact the ground surface, restricting the ability to quickly change directions and brake effectively.
Innovation Solution
The sole structure incorporates a wing extending from the outer rim with traction elements, allowing for increased angles of contact with the ground and featuring a dynamic space that bends to absorb and redirect energy, enhancing the shoe's ability to change directions and brake quickly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sole structure uses conventional traction elements on a flat surface, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the angle of contact with the ground is limited, restricting braking and directional change performance
Solution Approach 1:
The wing is designed as a flexible component that can dynamically bend and deform during athletic movements. The wing transitions from a static flat structure to a dynamic three-dimensional configuration that adapts to ground contact angles, enabling better traction while maintaining structural integrity through elastic deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new spatial dimension by extending the traction surface beyond the traditional flat plane. The wing creates an angled, three-dimensional traction surface that contacts the ground at various angles, adding a vertical and lateral dimension to the conventional two-dimensional foot sole contact
2Loss of energy
If the wing structure is made rigid to maintain its shape, then manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but the ability to bend and absorb energy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wing's material properties are specifically engineered to exhibit controlled flexibility and elasticity. By adjusting material parameters such as modulus of elasticity and damping characteristics, the wing can maintain its general shape while allowing controlled deformation to absorb impact energy during athletic movements
Solution Approach 2:
The wing is constructed using composite materials that combine rigidity and flexibility in a single structure. This allows the wing to maintain its geometric form for manufacturing consistency while incorporating elastic properties for energy absorption, resolving the contradiction between shape stability and energy dissipation
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 winged sole structure enables faster braking and directional changes by allowing greater angles of traction element contact and energy absorption, improving athletic performance.
Implementation Method 1
the wing is configured to bend from the initial position toward the upper when a force is imparted to the wing by a ground surface, such that a volume of the space decreases
Data Source
AI summary
Articles of footwear with a sole comprising a forefoot portion, a heel portion, an outer rim that extends around a perimeter of the forefoot portion and the heel portion, and a wing extending away from the outer rim. The wing defines a space between the wing and an upper of the article of footwear, and comprises a traction element extending from a bottom surface of the wing. In some embodiments, the wing can bend from an initial position towards the upper when a force is imparted to the wing by a ground surface, such that a volume of the space decreases.