Footwear Sole Plate Edge Structure for Cushioning and Flex
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear often lacks improved cushioning systems and structural characteristics, such as sole plates that provide rigidity or spring-like properties, leading to a desire for enhanced comfort and fit.
Innovation Solution
A sole plate for footwear is designed with specific regions, including a forefoot, midfoot, and heel, featuring a medial and lateral side, outer edges with peaks and valleys, and incorporating ribs and apertures to enhance stability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional sole plate design is used, then the structure is simple, but the cushioning and stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The outer edge of the sole plate is segmented into multiple peaks and valleys, creating distinct zones that provide both cushioning and stability. This segmentation allows different regions of the sole plate to perform different functions, improving overall reliability without requiring multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole plate integrates multiple structural features (peaks, valleys, ribs, apertures) into a single composite structure. This composite design combines the benefits of rigidity and flexibility within one component, enhancing cushioning performance while maintaining structural integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sole plate provides increased rigidity, then stability is improved, but flexibility and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sole plate features localized peaks and valleys at specific positions along the outer edge, providing rigidity where needed while maintaining flexibility in other areas. The ribs and apertures are strategically positioned to enhance stability in certain regions without compromising overall flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The peaks and valleys create curved surfaces that naturally distribute stress and allow for controlled flexing. The curved geometry provides structural strength while accommodating foot movement, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
3Stress or pressure
If the outer edge is smooth, then manufacturing is easier, but pressure distribution is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The outer edge is divided into multiple peaks and valleys, creating numerous contact points that distribute pressure across the foot. This segmented structure improves pressure distribution while the peaks and valleys can be formed using standard molding techniques, keeping manufacturing complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The design adds vertical dimensionality to the outer edge through peaks and valleys, transforming a simple linear edge into a three-dimensional pressure-distributing surface. This dimensional change improves pressure distribution without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sole plate (32) for a sole structure (24) of an article of footwear (20), the sole plate (32) including a forefoot region (50) including a toe end (68) at the distal end of the forefoot region (50), a midfoot region (52), and a heel region (54) including a heel end (92) at the distal end of the heel region (54). The sole plate (32) further including a medial side (56), a lateral side (58), a widest section, and a narrowest section. The sole plate (32) defines an outer edge (113), and the outer edge (113) includes a first plurality of peaks (114) and a first plurality of valleys (116). The first plurality of peaks (114) and the first plurality of valleys (116) are located on the lateral side (58) of the forefoot region (50), and the first plurality of peaks (114) and the first plurality of valleys (116) are disposed between the widest section of the sole plate (32) and the toe end (68) of the sole plate (32).