Winged Shoe Sole Structure for High-Angle Traction and Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing athletic shoe soles with traction elements are limited in the angles at which they can contact the ground surface, restricting the ability to quickly change directions and brake effectively.
Innovation Solution
The sole structure incorporates a wing extending from the outer rim with traction elements, allowing for a wider range of contact angles and featuring a dynamic space that bends to absorb and redirect energy, enhancing the shoe's ability to change directions and brake quickly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sole structures with traction elements are used, then the shoe can provide basic traction, but the contact angle with the ground is limited, restricting the ability to quickly change directions and brake
Solution Approach 1:
The wing is designed as a flexible, movable structure that can dynamically adjust its position and angle relative to the sole based on ground contact forces. This allows the traction elements on the wing to engage at varying angles during athletic movements, enabling faster direction changes and braking while adapting to different ground contact scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing extends laterally from the outer rim of the sole, adding a dimensional element beyond the traditional flat sole structure. This lateral extension creates additional contact points and angles with the ground, expanding the range of effective traction angles and improving adaptability during cutting and braking maneuvers.
2Loss of energy
If the wing structure extends from the outer rim with a dynamic space, then energy absorption and redirection capability is enhanced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing functions as a flexible shell structure that bends and deforms under ground contact forces, absorbing energy through controlled deformation. This flexible shell design provides energy absorption capability without requiring complex internal mechanisms or multiple components, maintaining relative structural simplicity while achieving the desired energy management function.
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 winged sole design enables faster braking and directional changes by allowing the traction elements to engage the ground at higher angles and absorb energy, providing improved athletic performance.
Implementation Method 1
the wing is configured to bend from the initial position toward the upper when a force is imparted to the wing by a ground surface, such that a volume of the space decreases
Implementation Method 2
a traction element extending from a bottom surface of the wing
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Articles of footwear with a sole comprising a forefoot portion, a heel portion, an outer rim that extends around a perimeter of the forefoot portion and the heel portion, and a wing extending away from the outer rim. The wing defines a space between the wing and an upper of the article of footwear, and comprises a traction element extending from a bottom surface of the wing. In some embodiments, the wing can bend from an initial position towards the upper when a force is imparted to the wing by a ground surface, such that a volume of the space decreases.