Running Shoe Sole Channels for Horizontal Cushioning Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing running shoe soles fail to adequately cushion horizontal forces, leading to knee and hip joint pain, and suffer from material fatigue and irregular closure of groove-shaped elements due to material loss of elasticity over time.
Innovation Solution
A sole with an elastic midsole divided into heel, midfoot, and forefoot areas, featuring channels with varying acute angles and elongated contours that enhance vertical and horizontal cushioning, maintaining stability and reducing material fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If groove-shaped elements are used to cushion horizontal forces, then horizontal cushioning is improved, but material fatigue occurs and elastic properties are lost over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the cushioning elements by introducing channels with varying acute angles (greater than 5 degrees) relative to the base surface. This angular parameter allows the channels to effectively cushion horizontal forces while distributing stress differently through the elastic material, reducing fatigue and maintaining elastic properties over time.
2Force
If groove-shaped elements are present as individual elements, then horizontal deformability is improved, but irregular closure occurs and floating effect is experienced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cushioning structure into multiple channels distributed across the sole, with each channel having an elongated contour and specific acute angle. This segmentation allows horizontal forces to be distributed across multiple elements, ensuring regular closure patterns and preventing the floating effect while maintaining horizontal deformability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the acute angles of different channels based on their position and function. Channels in different areas have different angles optimized for their specific cushioning needs, with the angle being greater than 5 degrees to ensure effective horizontal force cushioning while maintaining stable closure.
3Force
If cushioning structures are present in the forefoot area, then vertical cushioning is improved, but force is lost during pushing off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the cushioning structure between heel and forefoot areas. The heel area contains channels with acute angles greater than 5 degrees for effective horizontal and vertical cushioning, while the forefoot area has a different channel configuration that provides minimal cushioning resistance during the push-off phase, preserving energy and force for propulsion.
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 sole effectively cushions both vertical and horizontal forces, maintaining optimal cushioning over time without material fatigue, ensuring efficient energy transfer during pushing off.
Implementation Method 1
a sole for a running shoe comprising an elastic midsole
Implementation Method 2
The midsole is thereby divided into a heel area, a midfoot area, and a forefoot area
Implementation Method 3
the groove-shaped elements are vertically as well as horizontally deformable until their lateral openings are closed
Implementation Method 4
forces acting horizontally on the sole and the shoe can also be cushioned efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
A sole for a running shoe including an elastic midsole with a base surface, which delimits the midsole opposite the vertical direction of the midsole, and a surface, which delimits the midsole in the vertical direction. The midsole is divided into a heel region, a central foot region, and a front foot region, and includes multiple channels which run in the transversal direction of the midsole and are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the midsole. Each of the channels has an elongated contour in the cross-section along a cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction of the midsole and perpendicularly to the transverse direction of the midsole, and each channel has a main longitudinal axis in the cross-section along the cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction and perpendicularly to the transversal direction. The acute angle formed between the main longitudinal axis and the base surface of at least one channel arranged in the heel region is greater than the acute angle formed between the base surface and the main longitudinal axis of at least one channel arranged in the central foot region and/or in the front foot region.