Training Shoe Carbon-Fiber Plate for Stability and Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing training shoes face a trade-off between increased sole stiffness for stability and flexibility, as adding rigid materials to the sole can compromise the comfort and flexibility provided by soft midsoles.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a carbon fiber plate with fingers extending longitudinally between the bottom sole and midsole, combined with a midsole composed of varying materials for the forefoot and heel, and a recessed design to accommodate the plate, providing enhanced stability and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid member is added to the sole to increase stiffness for stability, then stability is improved, but the soft foam midsole is rendered inoperative for imparting flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesole stiffnessVSAvoidmidsole flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The carbon fiber plate is segmented into multiple fingers that extend forward in the longitudinal direction, allowing different regions of the sole to have different stiffness characteristics. The fingers are spaced apart to allow the soft foam midsole to remain effective in certain areas while providing rigidity where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carbon fiber plate is positioned specifically in the rear portion of the midsole corresponding to the heel, while the front portion maintains soft foam material for flexibility. This local differentiation allows the heel to gain stability while the forefoot retains flexibility for comfort and movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid materials are added to the sole, then stability is improved, but comfort is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesole stiffnessVSAvoidfootwear comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole comprises a first material in a front portion corresponding to the forefoot and a firmer second material in a rear portion corresponding to the heel. This local differentiation allows the forefoot to remain soft and comfortable while the heel gains the stability needed for performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The carbon fiber plate is disposed within a recess defined in the bottom surface of the midsole, nesting the rigid support structure within the softer midsole material. This allows the rigid plate to provide stability without fully compromising the comfort properties of the surrounding soft material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250302147A1Training shoe

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 TYR SPORT INC

AI summary

A training shoe comprises a bottom sole, a midsole disposed above at least a portion of the bottom sole, one or more panels attached to one or both of the midsole and the bottom sole to define an enclosure for a person's foot, and a carbon fiber plate disposed between the bottom sole and the midsole. The carbon fiber plate may be disposed in a recess defined in a bottom surface of the midsole. The carbon fiber plate may define a plurality of fingers that extend forward in a longitudinal direction of the training shoe.