Tensile-Component Cushioning Article for Foot-Joint Flexion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cushioning articles lack consistency in returning to their original shape after dynamic compressive loads and do not effectively combine staged cushioning with flexibility, particularly in alignment with desired flexion regions of the foot.
Innovation Solution
A cushioning article with an inwardly-protruding bond that aligns flexion axes with foot joints, featuring a tensile component and a bladder with polymeric sheets bonded at peripheral edges, allowing gas displacement across the bond for articulation and flexibility, with tethers aligned or displaced from the bond to provide staged cushioning and resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity to limit outward expansion, then the cushioning article provides motion control and structural stability, but the article lacks consistency in returning to its original shape after dynamic compressive loads
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning article incorporates an inwardly-protruding bond that enables dynamic articulation between the first and second portions. This bond allows the structure to adapt its configuration during compression cycles, facilitating consistent return to the original shape while maintaining structural stability through controlled movement rather than rigid constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning article is divided into a first portion and a second portion separated by the inwardly-protruding bond. This segmentation allows each portion to independently respond to compressive loads, improving the overall consistency of shape recovery while maintaining structural integrity through the bonded connection.
2Strength
If the cushioning article uses a sealed interior cavity filled with gas for cushioning, then the article provides resilient reaction to compressive load, but the article lacks flexibility and staged cushioning capability
Solution Approach 1:
The inwardly-protruding bond creates articulated regions that enable staged cushioning through sequential deformation. As compressive loads are applied, the first and second portions articulate relative to each other in a controlled manner, providing progressive cushioning stages while maintaining the gas-filled cavity's resilient reaction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the cushioning article into multiple portions connected by inwardly-protruding bonds, the structure achieves flexibility and staged cushioning. Each segment can deform independently, creating multiple cushioning stages while the sealed gas cavity maintains overall resilient reaction to compressive loads.
3Reliability
If the cushioning article is made as a single rigid structure, then the article provides consistent cushioning, but the article cannot provide flexibility aligned with foot joints
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning article is segmented into multiple portions connected by inwardly-protruding bonds, creating articulated regions that provide flexibility at foot joints. The segmented structure maintains consistent cushioning through the distributed deformation of multiple segments while enabling necessary articulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inwardly-protruding bonds create dynamically articulating regions that allow the cushioning article to flex at foot joints. The dynamic configuration changes during use, providing flexibility where needed while maintaining overall cushioning consistency through the coordinated deformation of articulated segments.
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 enhances the cushioning article's ability to return to its original shape and provides flexible articulation aligned with foot joints, offering optimal flexibility and support during dynamic compressive loads.
Implementation Method 1
A cushioning article, such as a sole component of an article of footwear, is typically configured to provide cushioning, motion control, and/or resilience. Some cushioning articles utilize a sealed interior cavity filled with a gas that resiliently reacts a compressive load.
Implementation Method 2
A tensile component may be disposed in the interior cavity, and may limit the outward expansion of the cushioning article.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A cushioning article comprises a first and a second polymeric sheet bonded to one another and enclosing an interior cavity. The polymeric sheets retain a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component disposed in the interior cavity includes a first tensile layer, a second tensile layer, and a plurality of tethers spanning the interior cavity and connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer. An inwardly-protruding bond joins the first polymeric sheet to the first tensile layer, protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers. The first polymeric sheet is displaced from the first tensile layer adjacent to the inwardly-protruding bond by the gas. The inwardly-protruding bond is one of a plurality of inwardly-protruding bonds many of which fall lengthwise along a common axis, establishing a flexion axis.