Undulating Footwear Sole Structure for Impact Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear lacks adequate cushioning and support, leading to soreness, fatigue, and potential injuries, particularly during everyday activities and performance activities like running, due to insufficient absorption of impact forces.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an undulating foam sole with alternating peaks and troughs, designed to absorb compressive and shear forces through buckling and distortion, providing enhanced cushioning and muscle training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional flat sole is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cushioning capability and impact force absorption are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transforming the flat sole surface into an undulating waveform structure with alternating peaks and troughs. This curvature design allows the sole to better conform to the natural contour of the foot and provides enhanced cushioning through the buckling and distortion of the waveform structure during compression, directly resolving the contradiction between simplicity and cushioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the sole by introducing waveform characteristics with specific amplitude and wavelength. The undulating structure creates variable thickness and density distributions, transforming the uniform flat sole into a structurally complex form that enhances impact absorption while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized molding processes.
2Reliability
If cushioning material is added to improve impact absorption, then the cushioning performance improves, but the weight of the footwear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the sole structure by introducing undulating waveform patterns with controlled amplitude and wavelength. This structural parameter change enhances impact absorption capacity through the buckling mechanism of the waveform, achieving improved cushioning performance without adding substantial material weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining the undulating foam sole with a separate plate structure. This composite design allows the foam to provide cushioning while the plate provides structural support, optimizing the weight-to-cushioning ratio and preventing excessive weight gain while improving impact force absorption.
3Reliability
If the sole is made softer to enhance cushioning, then the comfort improves, but the support and stability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material construction by integrating an undulating foam sole with a rigid or semi-rigid plate. The foam layer provides soft cushioning and impact absorption, while the plate component maintains structural integrity and stability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between softness for cushioning and rigidity for support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions of different stiffness within the sole structure. The undulating waveform creates zones of varying thickness and material density, with peaks providing structural support and troughs providing cushioning. This localized variation in material properties allows simultaneous achievement of cushioning and support functions.
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 undulating sole design effectively reduces peak forces and enhances muscle training by altering the gait cycle, offering improved cushioning and support while providing a unique aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
designed to absorb compressive and shear forces through buckling and distortion
Implementation Method 2
undulating foam sole... absorb compressive and shear forces
Data Source
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AI summary
An article of footwear is provided which comprises an upper, a plate connected to the upper, and an undulating sole having a top surface connected to the plate and a bottom surface, the sole comprising a plurality of spaced apart peaks defining a plurality of gaps in the top surface and a plurality of spaced apart troughs defining a plurality of gaps in the bottom surface.