Composite Training Shoe Sole for Cushioning and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear designed for cushioning or support during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts fails to concurrently provide both benefits, leading to suboptimal performance due to inadequate design for diverse movements.
Innovation Solution
A footwear design incorporating a composite sole structure with a rigid or semi-rigid plate, fluid-filled bladders, and cushioning elements, including forefoot and heel cushioning, to enhance both cushioning and support, featuring a plate extending from the forefoot to the heel with fluid-filled bladders and cushioning elements for dynamic impact protection and responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If footwear is designed with conventional cushioning materials, then cushioning performance is improved, but support and stability during HIIT movements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear divides the midsole into multiple functional zones: a rigid or semi-rigid plate provides structural support and stability, while separate cushioning elements (foam blocks, air bladders, or gel pockets) are positioned at specific locations (heel, forefoot, midfoot) to provide targeted cushioning. This segmentation allows different regions of the sole to perform specialized functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The footwear combines multiple materials with different mechanical properties in the sole structure: a rigid or semi-rigid plate material (such as thermoplastic polyurethane or carbon fiber) is combined with softer cushioning materials (such as EVA foam, air-filled bladders, or gel). This composite construction integrates the strength and stability of rigid materials with the shock-absorbing properties of soft materials, resolving the contradiction between cushioning and support.
2Strength
If footwear is designed with rigid support structures, then support and stability are improved, but cushioning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear divides the midsole into multiple functional zones: a rigid or semi-rigid plate provides structural support and stability, while separate cushioning elements (foam blocks, air bladders, or gel pockets) are positioned at specific locations (heel, forefoot, midfoot) to provide targeted cushioning. This segmentation allows different regions of the sole to perform specialized functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The footwear combines multiple materials with different mechanical properties in the sole structure: a rigid or semi-rigid plate material (such as thermoplastic polyurethane or carbon fiber) is combined with softer cushioning materials (such as EVA foam, air-filled bladders, or gel). This composite construction integrates the strength and stability of rigid materials with the shock-absorbing properties of soft materials, resolving the contradiction between cushioning and support.
3Ease of manufacture
If footwear uses conventional sole structures, then ease of manufacture is improved, but performance during diverse HIIT movements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear divides the midsole into multiple functional zones: a rigid or semi-rigid plate provides structural support and stability, while separate cushioning elements (foam blocks, air bladders, or gel pockets) are positioned at specific locations (heel, forefoot, midfoot) to provide targeted cushioning. This segmentation allows different regions of the sole to perform specialized functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The footwear incorporates dynamic elements that adapt to different movements: the rigid plate provides stable support for standing and low-impact movements, while the cushioning elements compress and expand during high-impact activities. The combination creates a sole structure that dynamically adjusts its characteristics based on the type and intensity of movement, enhancing versatility for diverse HIIT exercises.
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 design provides enhanced cushioning and support, allowing for optimal performance during HIIT workouts by accommodating diverse movements and maintaining stability and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
fluid-filled bladders each at least partially surrounded by the first cushioning element in the forefoot region
Implementation Method 2
a second cushioning element disposed in the heel region and spaced apart from the first cushioning element
Implementation Method 3
a plate having a top surface facing the upper and a bottom surface formed on an opposite side than the top surface, the plate extending from a first end in a forefoot region to a second end in a heel region
Data Source
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AI summary
An article of footwear comprises an upper; a plate having a top surface facing the upper and a bottom surface formed on an opposite side than the top surface, the plate extending from a first end in a forefoot region to a second end in a heel region; a first cushioning element having an upper surface attached to the bottom surface of the plate in the forefoot region and including a first side shield extending from the upper surface and along a medial side of the upper and a second side shield extending from the upper surface and along a lateral side of the upper; and one or more fluid-filled bladders each at least partially surrounded by the first cushioning element in the forefoot region and having a top surface attached to the bottom surface of the plate. The article of footwear further comprises a second cushioning element disposed in the heel region and spaced apart from the first cushioning element and the one or more fluid-filled bladders by a gap in a mid-foot region of the article of footwear.