Stabilizing Sole With Recessed Support Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear fails to adequately support and stabilize the feet during impact movements like walking, jogging, and running, leading to excessive stress on joints and increased risk of injuries due to insufficient cushioning and misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a stabilizing sole with a midsole and outsole structure that includes a support member with a recessed spring area and stabilizing portions, providing enhanced balance and propulsion by flexing in response to pressure, and featuring a combination of materials like EVA and foam for cushioning and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional footwear is used, then the structure is simple, but the feet are not adequately supported and stabilized during impact movements
Solution Approach 1:
The sole is divided into multiple functional components: a midsole with cushioning material, an outsole with traction elements, and a support member with curved portion. Each segment performs a specific function - the midsole absorbs impact, the outsole provides ground contact and stability, and the curved support member maintains arch alignment. This segmentation allows the complex structure to achieve superior foot support while keeping each component relatively simple in design.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If insufficient cushioning is provided, then the sole structure is simpler, but impact forces are not adequately absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is constructed with cushioning material positioned between the upper and outsole before the foot makes ground contact. This pre-positioned cushioning layer is designed to compress and absorb impact forces during heel strike and foot contact phases. The cushioning structure is integrated into the sole's basic architecture rather than added as a separate complex system, achieving effective impact protection with moderate structural complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the feet are misaligned in shoes, then the shoe design is simpler, but stress on joints increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member features a curved portion specifically positioned under the arch area of the foot. This localized curvature is designed to match the natural arch shape, providing alignment support precisely where needed. The curved portion works in conjunction with the midsole and outsole to distribute pressure evenly and maintain proper foot alignment during impact movements, reducing joint stress without requiring complex alignment mechanisms throughout the entire shoe structure.
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 solution effectively reduces impact forces on the feet and body, enhances propulsion, and improves biomechanical efficiency, leading to reduced joint stress and improved comfort during impact movements.
Implementation Method 1
the portion of the support member moves through the space and toward the upper surface of the sole when pressure is applied to the portion of the support member, and flexes away from the upper surface when pressure is decreased or released from the portion of the support member
Data Source
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AI summary
A footwear component that includes a sole including a recessed area and a support member positioned in the recessed area. The support member includes a main support, a front support that extends at least partially over a front end of the main support, and a rear support that extends at least partially below a rear end of the main support. The front support of the support member moves toward the main support when pressure is applied to the front support and moves away from the main support when pressure is released from the front support. Similarly, the rear support of the support member moves toward the main support when pressure is applied to the rear support and moves away from the main support when pressure is released from the rear support.