Footwear Sole Structure with Side Wall Notch for Nonlinear Bending Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sole structures in athletic footwear do not effectively manage bending stiffness across different flexion ranges, leading to inadequate resistance and stability during dorsiflexion.
Innovation Solution
A sole structure with a notch in the side wall that changes its bending stiffness by being open at lower flexion angles and closing at higher angles, providing increased resistance and stiffness when dorsiflexed beyond a predetermined angle, achieved through a combination of material selection and structural design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sole plate uses a uniform structure throughout, then it provides consistent support, but it cannot effectively manage bending stiffness across different flexion ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The sole plate incorporates a notch in the side wall that creates localized structural variation. This notch is positioned to close at a predetermined flexion angle, transforming the local geometry from open to closed configuration. This local quality change allows the sole plate to provide two distinct bending stiffness characteristics: a first bending stiffness when the notch is open and a second, greater bending stiffness when the notch is closed, without requiring complete redesign of the entire sole plate structure.
2Strength
If the sole plate provides high resistance to flexion throughout the entire range, then it offers stability, but it lacks the necessary flexibility for natural foot movement
Solution Approach 1:
The notch in the side wall is designed to dynamically change its state from open to closed based on the flexion angle. During initial flexion (first portion of the range), the notch remains open, allowing greater flexibility and easier foot movement. When the flexion angle exceeds the predetermined angle (second portion of the range), the notch closes, automatically increasing resistance to flexion. This dynamic adaptation occurs without external control, providing both flexibility and stability as needed throughout the flexion range.
3Reliability
If the sole plate maintains constant bending stiffness, then it provides predictable performance, but it cannot enhance stability during extreme dorsiflexion
Solution Approach 1:
The sole plate's bending stiffness parameter is designed to change based on the flexion angle. The notch geometry is specifically configured so that at flexion angles below a predetermined threshold, the notch remains open and the sole plate exhibits a first bending stiffness. When the flexion angle exceeds this threshold, the notch closes, causing the bending stiffness parameter to increase to a second, greater value. This parameter change provides predictable performance across different flexion ranges while enhancing stability during extreme dorsiflexion.
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 structure offers enhanced resistance to flexion and improved stability by maintaining constant bending stiffness at lower angles and increasing stiffness nonlinearly at higher angles, enhancing the overall performance during physical activities.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one side wall has a notch in an upper periphery of the side wall in the forefoot portion. The notch is configured to be open when the forefoot portion of the sole plate is dorsiflexed in a first portion of a flexion range and closed when the forefoot portion of the sole plate is dorsiflexed in a second portion of the flexion range greater than the first portion.
Implementation Method 2
The sole plate provides a change in bending stiffness, with a greater bending stiffness in the second portion of the flexion range than in the first portion of the flexion range.
Data Source
AI summary
A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate that includes a forefoot portion with a foot-facing surface. The sole plate has at least one side wall extending upward from the foot-facing surface. The at least one side wall has a first notch in an upper periphery of the side wall in the forefoot portion. The first notch is configured to be open when the forefoot portion of the sole plate is dorsiflexed in a first portion of a flexion range and closed when the forefoot portion of the sole plate is dorsiflexed in a second portion of the flexion range greater than the first portion.