Variable-Thickness Shoe Support Plate for Stability and Flex

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shoe soles, particularly for sports and training shoes, fail to provide an optimal combination of cushioning, targeted stiffness, flexibility, and dynamic feel while maintaining stability and efficient force distribution, especially under heavy loads.

Innovation Solution

A support plate for shoe soles with varying thicknesses in the forefoot and heel areas, featuring a thinner first portion in the forefoot for flexibility and a thicker second portion in the heel for stability, along with reinforcement ribs and wings for enhanced support and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a soft midsole is used to provide cushioning, then cushioning performance is improved, but stability and force transmission are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecushioning performanceVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is divided into multiple portions (first portion in forefoot area, second portion in heel area, and optionally third portion in midfoot area) with different thicknesses and stiffness characteristics. This segmentation allows each portion to independently optimize for its specific functional requirements while working together as a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the support plate are designed with different thicknesses to provide localized properties: the first portion (forefoot) is thinner for flexibility and dynamic feel, the second portion (heel) is thicker for stability and force distribution, and the third portion (midfoot) can have intermediate or variable thickness. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing both cushioning and stability in their respective zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If a stiff midsole is used to provide stability, then stability is improved, but cushioning and dynamic feel are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidcushioning performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is divided into multiple portions (first portion in forefoot area, second portion in heel area, and optionally third portion in midfoot area) with different thicknesses and stiffness characteristics. This segmentation allows each portion to independently optimize for its specific functional requirements while working together as a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the support plate are designed with different thicknesses to provide localized properties: the first portion (forefoot) is thinner for flexibility and dynamic feel, the second portion (heel) is thicker for stability and force distribution, and the third portion (midfoot) can have intermediate or variable thickness. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing both cushioning and stability in their respective zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If a uniform thickness support plate is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but targeted flexibility and stability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtargeted stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate features varying thickness across different portions: the first portion (forefoot) has a first thickness, the second portion (heel) has a second thickness, and optionally the third portion (midfoot) has a third thickness. This local differentiation in thickness provides targeted stiffness and flexibility in different zones while still being manufacturable as a single molded component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thickness parameter of the support plate is varied across different spatial locations to achieve different mechanical properties. The first portion has a first thickness for flexibility, the second portion has a second thickness for stability, and the third portion can have an intermediate or variable thickness. This parameter variation allows optimized performance in each zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4659612A1Support plate configured to be arranged in a sole structure of a shoe

Publication Date: 2025.12.10 ADIDAS AG

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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a support plate (1) configured to be arranged in a sole structure of a shoe. The support plate comprises a first portion (10) associated with a forefoot area of the sole structure and a second portion (20) associated with a heel area of the sole structure. The support plate (1) is thinner in at least a part of the first portion (10) as in the second portion (20).