Shoe Sole Support Plate With Zoned Stiffness for Cushioning Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports shoes lack an optimal combination of cushioning and support, particularly in activities involving heavy loads, failing to provide a dynamic feel and adequate stability, especially in forefoot and heel areas.
Innovation Solution
A support plate for a shoe sole structure with varying thicknesses and configurations, including reinforcement ribs, wings, and fingers, designed to enhance flexibility and stability, distributing load evenly and providing targeted stiffness and cushioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a soft midsole is used to provide cushioning, then cushioning and bounciness are improved, but stability and grounding feel deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is divided into multiple portions (first portion for forefoot, second portion for heel, third portion for midfoot) with different thicknesses and stiffness characteristics. The first portion has reduced thickness for flexibility, while the second portion has increased thickness for stability, allowing each segment to optimize its function independently
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the support plate have locally optimized properties: the first portion (forefoot) is thinner and more flexible for dynamic movement, while the second portion (heel) is thicker and stiffer for stability and grounding. Reinforcement ribs are strategically placed in the third portion to provide localized structural support without compromising overall flexibility
2Stability of the object's composition
If a stiff midsole is used to provide stability, then stability and grounding feel are improved, but dynamic feel and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is segmented into functional zones with different stiffness characteristics. The first portion (forefoot) uses reduced thickness to maintain flexibility and dynamic response, while the second portion (heel) uses increased thickness to provide stability and grounding, resolving the contradiction between these opposing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate implements local quality variations where the first portion has lower stiffness for dynamic feel and the second portion has higher stiffness for stability. This localized differentiation allows the forefoot to remain flexible for natural movement while the heel provides stable support
3Strength
If the support plate is made thicker to provide structural support, then stability and strength are improved, but weight and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is segmented into portions with varying thicknesses, where the second portion (heel) has increased thickness for structural support and stability, while the first portion (forefoot) has reduced thickness to minimize weight and maintain flexibility. This segmentation allows optimization of both strength and weight
4Ease of operation
If the support plate is made thinner to maintain flexibility, then dynamic feel and flexibility are improved, but structural support and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is divided into functional segments where the first portion (forefoot) uses reduced thickness for flexibility and dynamic feel, while the second portion (heel) uses increased thickness for structural support and stability. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different thickness requirements to different functional zones
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate implements local quality differentiation where the first portion has lower thickness for flexibility and the second portion has higher thickness for structural support. This localized optimization ensures that each region has the appropriate properties for its specific function
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a support plate configured to be arranged in a sole structure of a shoe. The support plate may comprise a first portion associated with a forefoot area of the sole structure and a second portion associated with a heel area of the sole structure. The support plate may be thinner in at least a part of the first portion as compared to the second portion.