Zonal Thickness Apparel for Plantar Force Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional athletic footwear fails to adequately distribute and attenuate varying compressive forces across the plantar surface of the foot during ambulatory activities, leading to uneven force distribution and potential discomfort or injury.
Innovation Solution
An article of apparel, such as a sock, with zones of different thicknesses corresponding to areas of the foot that experience different compressive forces, utilizing a force mapping device to determine optimal zone placement and employing varying yarn counts, knit structures, and layering to achieve tailored force attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If uniform thickness material is used throughout the article of apparel, then manufacturing is simpler and cost is reduced, but force attenuation is inadequate in high-magnitude areas
Solution Approach 1:
The article of apparel incorporates multiple zones with different material thicknesses tailored to specific foot regions. High-compression areas (heel, metatarsal heads) receive thicker material for enhanced force attenuation, while low-compression areas (toe region, arch) use thinner material. This localized differentiation optimizes force attenuation performance without uniformly increasing overall structure complexity.
2Strength
If thicker material is used in high-force areas, then force attenuation is improved, but mass of the article increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparel article implements spatially varying thickness distribution where material is concentrated only in regions requiring force attenuation (heel, metatarsal heads) and minimized in regions requiring less support (toes, arch). This localized thickening strategy achieves necessary force attenuation performance while minimizing overall mass increase compared to uniform thickening.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole structure is divided into multiple zones with distinct thickness characteristics: a first zone with greater thickness for high-compression areas, and a second zone with lesser thickness for low-compression areas. This segmentation allows optimized material distribution that balances force attenuation requirements with mass minimization.
3Force
If moderators are added to distribute forces, then peak forces are decreased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding separate moderator components, the invention integrates force distribution functionality directly into the thickness variation of the sole material itself. The thicker regions naturally distribute and attenuate forces through their increased material volume and compressibility, eliminating the need for additional moderator elements and reducing overall structural 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 sock provides improved force distribution and attenuation, reducing peak forces in high-magnitude areas and minimizing mass in areas requiring lesser attenuation, enhancing comfort and fit while managing moisture effectively.
Implementation Method 1
An article of athletic footwear generally incorporates a sole structure with a polymer foam material that attenuates forces experienced by the foot
Implementation Method 2
Fluid-filled bladders, for example, may be encapsulated within the polymer foam material to further assist with force attenuation
Data Source
AI summary
An article of apparel, such as a sock or a shoe, is disclosed as having a foot-supporting area for extending adjacent to a plantar surface of a foot. The foot-supporting area has various zones of differing thickness that attenuate forces upon the plantar surface to different degrees. The apparel may be manufactured through a process that includes utilizing a force mapping device to obtain data relating to forces upon the plantar surface of the foot. The sock is then formed to have zones of different thickness located to correspond with the areas of the plantar surface subjected to different magnitudes of forces.