Transparent Fluid-Filled Sole Structure for Cushioning Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sole structures for footwear lack an efficient combination of cushioning, durability, and transparency, particularly in the design of fluid-filled bladders, which often compromise on one or more of these properties.
Innovation Solution
A sole structure incorporating a midsole with a transparent, fluid-filled bladder formed by bonded barrier films, allowing for pressurized fluid retention and enhanced cushioning, while maintaining structural integrity and visibility through transparent regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid-filled bladder is used to provide cushioning, then cushioning performance is improved, but durability and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is constructed from multiple layers including a barrier layer and a reinforcement layer with different material properties. The barrier layer (e.g., thermoplastic polymer) provides fluid containment while the reinforcement layer (e.g., elastomeric material with tensile members) provides structural strength and durability, creating a composite structure that achieves both cushioning performance and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bladder have different structural characteristics. The reinforcement layer with tensile members is strategically positioned in areas requiring higher strength and durability, while the barrier layer provides fluid containment in areas requiring flexibility and cushioning. This localized differentiation allows the bladder to simultaneously achieve both cushioning performance and structural integrity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional barrier layers are used to contain pressurized fluid, then durability is improved, but transparency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder structure differentiates between regions requiring transparency and regions requiring durability. The barrier layer can be made transparent in visible regions while the reinforcement layer with tensile members is positioned in areas where durability is prioritized. This allows the bladder to maintain transparency where needed while ensuring durability through the reinforcement structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier layer material can be selected or treated to provide transparency or specific optical properties. By choosing transparent or translucent materials for the barrier layer and strategically positioning the reinforcement layer, the bladder can maintain visual appeal through transparency while ensuring durability through the reinforcement structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If tensile members are added to retain bladder shape, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder uses a flexible reinforcement layer containing tensile members embedded within a thin film structure. This allows the bladder to maintain its shape and structural integrity while remaining flexible and responsive to compression. The tensile members are integrated into the reinforcement layer in a way that provides shape retention without requiring complex external structures or mechanisms.
4Reliability
If a multi-layer barrier structure is used to contain fluid, then durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier layer and reinforcement layer are combined into a single integrated bladder structure rather than being separate components. This merging of functions into a unified multi-layer structure improves fluid containment durability while simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of separate assembly steps and components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder is manufactured as a composite structure with the barrier layer and reinforcement layer bonded together in a coordinated manner. This composite construction allows for efficient manufacturing processes where the layers are formed and bonded together, achieving durable fluid containment without excessive manufacturing complexity.
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 provides improved cushioning, durability, and visibility, enhancing the overall performance and aesthetic appeal of footwear by integrating a transparent, pressurized fluid-filled bladder within the sole structure.
Implementation Method 1
compresses resiliently under an applied load to cushion the foot by attenuating ground-reaction forces
Implementation Method 2
formed from two barrier layers of polymer material that are sealed or bonded together
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear including an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure includes a midsole, wherein the midsole includes an enclosed cavity, a thermoformed cushioning element disposed within the enclosed cavity, wherein the cushioning element includes an upper barrier film and a bottom barrier film enclosing an internal volume, and an outsole layer, wherein the outsole layer forms a ground-engaging surface of the article of footwear.