V-Shaped Shoe Spring Structure for Heel-to-Toe Energy Return

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shoes interfere with the natural mechanics of ankle, knee, and foot movements by absorbing shock, slowing down the natural sequence of weight shifting from heel to toe, which can lead to reduced performance and increased injury risk during running or walking.

Innovation Solution

A shoe design incorporating a V-shaped spring system with a raised springboard portion and a lower platform portion, utilizing a fulcrum to facilitate a cantilever spring effect, mimicking the body's natural tendon springs to enhance weight transfer and propulsion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional shoes absorb shock, then shock protection is improved, but natural movement timing and flow are slowed down

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock protectionVSAvoidnatural movement timing
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of absorbing shock passively with foam or gel, the patent inverts the approach by using active spring elements that store and return energy dynamically. The spring board and spring elements actively propel the foot forward, transforming the passive shock absorption function into an active propulsion function that maintains natural movement timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the shoe structure by introducing spring elements with specific stiffness values and a spring board with controlled flexibility. These parameter changes allow the system to provide both shock protection and maintain rapid natural movement timing through elastic energy storage and release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If shoes buffer shock, then foot protection is improved, but natural mechanics coordination is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoot protectionVSAvoidnatural mechanics coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring elements and spring board are designed to automatically respond to foot movement without requiring conscious control. The system self-regulates by compressing during impact and propelling forward during the gait cycle, maintaining natural mechanics coordination while providing foot protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from static shock absorption materials to dynamic spring elements that adapt their response based on the phase of the gait cycle. The spring elements remain compressed during weight acceptance and actively push off during propulsion, dynamically supporting natural mechanics coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional shoe design protects feet, then foot safety is improved, but performance enhancement is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoot safetyVSAvoidperformance enhancement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful impact forces into beneficial propulsion by using spring elements to store energy during compression and release it during the push-off phase. This transforms the previously harmful shock into useful mechanical energy that enhances running performance while still protecting the foot.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring elements are pre-positioned and pre-loaded to be ready for immediate energy return. During the gait cycle, the springs compress in advance during the weight acceptance phase, storing energy that is then released during propulsion, providing performance enhancement without compromising foot safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 shoe spring system enhances natural movement flow by providing immediate energy return, accelerating weight shift from heel to toe, thereby improving performance and reducing the risk of injury.

Implementation Method 1

The raised springboard portion is configured to move closer to and away from the lower platform portion so as to provide a cantilever spring effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCantilever spring effect: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the raised springboard portion is spaced apart from the lower platform portion by a distance at a location opposite the intersection point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

A shoe design incorporating a V-shaped spring system with a raised springboard portion and a lower platform portion, utilizing a fulcrum to facilitate a cantilever spring effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 4

accelerating weight shift from heel to toe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS20250374993A1Shoe having spring system
Publication Date: 2025.12.11 WALLERSTEIN ROBERT
  • US20250374993A1 patent drawing
  • US20250374993A1 patent drawing
  • US20250374993A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A shoe spring kit for a shoe includes a V-shaped spring portion having a lower platform portion and a raised springboard portion, the raised springboard portion intersecting the lower platform portion at an intersection point to form an angle relative to the lower platform portion such that the raised springboard portion is spaced apart from the lower platform portion by a distance at a location opposite the intersection point. The raised springboard portion is configured, at a static position, to bend and move closer to and away from the lower platform portion so as to provide a cantilever spring effect. The V-shaped spring portion can be placed inside of the shoe or outside of the shoe.