Convex Sole Plate Layout for Arch Support and Heel Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shoes with midsole plates struggle to maintain stability and prevent sinking down of the arch and heel during the landing to take-off phase, particularly when shock absorbing materials are used to enhance performance.

Innovation Solution

A shoe design featuring a mid- and rear-foot support portion in the sole, composed of a plate with a convex upward shape in the foot width direction, supported by a midsole with varying thickness regions and an accommodation space, enhances stability and suppresses sinking by evenly distributing load and promoting resilience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the weight or hardness of the midsole material is reduced to enhance shock absorbing performance, then shock absorption performance is improved, but stability of the shoe deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorption performanceVSAvoidstability of the shoe

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is divided into multiple functional regions: a shock absorption region with lower hardness for cushioning, and a stability region with higher hardness for preventing sinking. The plate structure is segmented into a convex portion for shock absorption and a flat portion for stability. This segmentation allows different parts of the midsole to perform different functions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between shock absorption and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the midsole are assigned different material properties (hardness values). The shock absorption region uses softer material (lower hardness) while the stability region uses harder material (higher hardness). This local differentiation of material properties enables the midsole to provide both shock absorption and stability without requiring the entire structure to compromise either function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If shock absorbing materials are used in the midsole, then shock absorption performance is improved, but sinking down of arch portion and heel during landing to take-off increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorption performanceVSAvoidsuppression of sinking down

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is segmented into a shock absorption region that allows controlled sinking for cushioning, and a stability region that resists sinking to maintain shoe integrity. The plate is similarly segmented with a convex portion for shock absorption and a flat portion for stability. This segmentation enables the midsole to sink appropriately in shock-absorbing areas while maintaining stability in critical support areas during the landing to take-off phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The midsole employs a composite structure combining materials or regions with different hardness characteristics. The shock absorption region uses softer, more compliant materials that can deform to absorb impact, while the stability region uses harder, more rigid materials that resist deformation. This composite approach allows the midsole to exhibit both sinking (for shock absorption) and stability (for preventing excessive sinking) behaviors simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 design effectively supports the midfoot and rear foot during landing to take-off, suppressing sinking and enhancing shock absorption and stability through even deformation and resilience.

Implementation Method 1

enhance shock absorbing performance at the time of landing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

evenly distributing load and promoting resilience

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLoad distribution: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

evenly distributing load and promoting resilience

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

suppressing sinking and enhancing shock absorption and stability through even deformation and resilience

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilience: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentUS12490799B2Plate, sole, and shoe

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 ASICS CORP

AI summary

A plate is used for a sole that forms a part of a shoe. The plate includes a mid- and rear-foot support portion in a shape extending from a position superimposed on a rear end portion of a metatarsal bone of a wearer of the shoe in a thickness direction of the sole to a position superimposed on a heel bone of the wearer, the mid- and rear-foot support portion supporting a midfoot portion and a rear foot portion of the wearer. The mid- and rear-foot support portion is in a shape convex upward in a cross-section in a foot width direction.