EP1563751B1 - Damping element for a shoe - Google Patents

Abstract

Damping element comprises a first element in an unloaded state and defining an absorption space, a smaller second element, also in an unloaded state and coaxial to the first element, comprising a hollow body. The elements are bound together using an elastic connecting element.

Description

The invention relates to a damping element for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, according to the preamble of claim 1.

From EP 0 387 505 B1 a shoe is known, which is equipped with a shoe sole, which already has a good damping behavior. To optimize the damping behavior and the restoring force of the shoe sole after the pressure relief is provided there that the shoe is equipped with a shoe sole with at least one consisting of a honeycomb body made of elastic, compressible material insert part, wherein the central axes of the gas-filled honeycomb cells are approximately perpendicular to the sole plane. The honeycomb body is designed as a final shape in its dimensions, the honeycomb cells are sealed gas-tight at the periphery or at the edge of the honeycomb body.

With such a damping element in the form of a honeycomb body, it is already possible to give the shoe a good damping behavior and to significantly increase the restoring force of the shoe sole and thus the energy recovery after its pressure release. However, a further increase of these parameters is desirable.

From DE 33 38 556 A1 discloses a damping element for a sports shoe of the generic type is known, the outsole is provided with damping discs, each of which consists of a cylinder, can be inserted into the interchangeable damping discs, and consists of a piston associated with each cylinder, the engages in the respective cylinder and presses on the damping discs.

The preamble of claim 1 is known from US-A-4 521 979 and US-A-3 608 215.

The invention is therefore based on the object , a damping element of the type mentioned in such a way that the damping behavior of the shoe is further improved. In particular, the restoring force of the shoe sole is to be increased after the pressure relief so that the energy recovery in the pressure relief of the shoe can be further increased.

The solution of this problem by the invention is defined by the features of claim 1.

The damping element according to the invention is thus designed in the manner of a telescopic damper. The first element acts as a cylinder-like receiving chamber into which the second element can penetrate in the manner of a piston. This can be achieved a high travel and the spring and damping characteristics of the shoe can be adapted to the desired interests. Furthermore, there is also the possibility to recover the energy expended in the compression of the damping element to a considerable extent.

According to the invention it is provided that the first element and the second element in a section perpendicular to the loading direction have a mutually corresponding shape. among them is to be understood that the cross-sectional geometry of the first and the second element are formed congruent to each other, so that a matching receiving and entry space is created in the first element for the second element.

The first element and the second element have a polygonal, in particular hexagonal, shape in a section perpendicular to the loading direction. In this case, the damping element is designed in the manner of a honeycomb pattern.

The dimensions of the first element in a section perpendicular to the loading direction are greater than the corresponding dimensions of the second element. This will allow the second element to enter the space defined by the first element.

Advantageously, the first element is in the unloaded state of the damping element with its axial extent substantially outside the axial extent of the second element. This is to be understood that the piston-like second element is arranged in the unloaded state of the damping element axially outside of the cylinder-like first element. Only when loading the damping element in the loading direction then enters the "piston" in the "cylinder".

The first element and the second element are formed as hollow bodies, which are connected to each other via a connecting portion. The connecting section can in unloaded state of the damping element in a plane perpendicular to the loading direction run flat. Equally, however, it can also be provided that the connecting section runs curved in the unloaded state of the damping element. With the latter embodiment, the entry of the "piston" is favored in the "cylinder" under load. This is also the case when the connecting portion consists of elastic material, as provided according to another embodiment of the invention.

Both functional and manufacturing advantages can be achieved if the first element, the connecting portion and the second element are integrally formed. It can be provided in particular that the first element and the second element are produced by an injection molding process. It is favorable if the first element, the connecting section and the second element are produced by a common injection molding process.

To achieve a high damping and energy recovery property of the damping element according to the invention can be provided that the elements form gas-tight chambers. For this purpose, it is advisable that the second element facing away from the end of the first element is connected to a sealing film. Likewise, the end facing away from the first element of the second element may be connected to a sealing film. The respective element and the sealing films can be gas-tightly connected to one another, in particular welded. With such a configuration can be achieved that the first element, the second element, the connecting portion and the sealing films form a gas-tightly sealed flexible chamber. This influences the mode of action of the damping element according to the invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

The elements may be made of plastic, in particular of thermoplastic material. As a plastic polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutane, polyamide, polyurethane or a mixture of at least two of these plastics have proven. Furthermore, the plastic may be translucent or transparent.

To form a sufficiently large damping element that covers the desired areas of a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, a multiplicity of first and / or second elements can be connected to one another or arranged next to one another.

According to one embodiment, the first elements are connected to one another in their lateral region. Such an embodiment is particularly easy to implement in a geometry according to a honeycomb pattern.

In the case that a plurality of first and second elements are arranged next to one another, it can be provided that the connecting portion of at least two adjacent first and second elements is formed as a common part. It is also possible that the plurality of juxtaposed first and second elements are connected to each other via the connecting portions. A further development provides that the first and second elements are arranged at a distance and parallel to each other.

The adaptation of the damping element to the specific needs in terms of geometry and function is facilitated by the fact that it can further be provided that the first and / or second elements at least partially in the unloaded state of the damping element have different heights.

The damping characteristics, as well as the ability of the damping element to absorb and return energy can be influenced by the choice of parameters that determine the geometry and material properties. Thus, it is preferably provided that the material of the first element, of the second element and of the connecting section, as well as the geometric dimensions of said parts are selected for determining the rigidity of the damping element.

With the proposal according to the invention a damping element is provided which increases the damping and the restoring force of the shoe sole and thus the energy recovery after the pressure relief of the shoe sole to a large extent. Due to the proposed embodiments is also achieved that the damping element according to the invention can be manufactured inexpensively and thus inexpensive.

Fig. 1

schematisch die Seitenansicht eines Dämpfungselements im Schnitt,

Fig. 2

schematisch die Draufsicht auf das Dämpfungselement gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine der Fig. 1 entsprechende Darstellung, wobei sich das Dämpfungselement im verformten Zustand befindet,

Fig. 4

ein Dämpfungselement, bestehend aus einer Anzahl von Einzelelementen in der Draufsicht,

Fig. 5

den Schnitt A-B gemäß Fig. 4,

Fig. 6a

ein Dämpfungselement bestehend aus einer Anzahl von Einzelelementen in der Vorderansicht,

Fig. 6b

die zu Fig. 6a zugehörige Draufsicht,

Fig. 6c

die zu Fig. 6a zugehörige Seitenansicht und

Fig. 7

das Dämpfungselement nach Fig. 6a, 6b bzw. 6c in perspektivischer Ansicht.

In the drawing, an embodiment of the invention is shown. Show it:

Fig. 1

schematically the side view of a damping element in section,

Fig. 2

1 is a schematic plan view of the damping element according to FIG. 1, FIG.

Fig. 3

1 corresponding representation, wherein the damping element is in the deformed state,

Fig. 4

a damping element consisting of a number of individual elements in plan view,

Fig. 5

the section AB according to FIG. 4,

Fig. 6a

a damping element consisting of a number of individual elements in the front view,

Fig. 6b

the plan view associated with FIG. 6a,

Fig. 6c

the associated to Fig. 6a side view and

Fig. 7

the damping element according to Fig. 6a, 6b and 6c in a perspective view.

In Fig. 1, a damping element 1 is shown in section. The damping element 1 is integrated in a shoe (not shown), in particular in the sole of a sports shoe. It serves to absorb energy when loading the sole in the loading direction R and to release the energy stored in the damping element 1 when the sole is relieved.

As can be seen in conjunction with FIG. 2, the damping element 1 has a first element 2 and a second element 4, which are hexagonal in the manner of a honeycomb pattern. The first element 2 has a receiving space 3, which results from the volume of the hexagonal body. The extension of the first element 2 in the loading direction R is indicated by H (height of the first element 2 in the unloaded state of the damping element 1). Axially above the first Elements 2 - in the unloaded state of the damping element 1 - the second element 4 is arranged, which extends over an axial height h in the loading direction R. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, the dimensions-width B of the first element 2 and width b of the second element 4-are selected such that the second element 4 can enter the receiving space 3 when the damping element 1 is loaded in the loading direction R, which is defined by the first element 2. The first element 2 and the second element 4 thus operate in the manner of a telescopic damper, wherein the first element 2 acts as a "cylinder", in which the second element 4 can enter in the manner of a "piston".

So that this can take place while achieving a restoring effect when pressure is released from the damping element 1, the upper axial end region of the first element 2 to be seen in FIG. 1 and the axial lower end region of the second element 4 are connected to one another via a connecting section 5. It is at the connecting portion 5 - as well as the first and second elements 2, 4 - is a part of elastic plastic material, so that when a loading force on the damping element 1 in the loading direction R deformation takes place, as shown schematically in Fig. 3rd is shown. The second element 4 enters the receiving space 3 of the first element 2 like a piston.

Thus, after pressure relief of the damping element 1, the initial state is reached again, as outlined in Fig. 1, not only the connecting portion 5 is made elastic, but it will continue to take the following measures:

The second element 4 facing away from the end 6 of the first element 2 is connected to a first sealing film 7, in particular welded. In the same Way, the first element 2 facing away from the end 8 of the second element 4 is provided with a second sealing film 9. These sealing film 9 is also connected to the second element 4, preferably welded. Thus, the first element 2, the second element 4, the connecting portion 5 and the two sealing films 7 and 9 form a gas-tight closed space, which has optimal spring and damping properties.

Individual "piston-cylinder elements", consisting of the components 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, can - as it can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 - be arranged side by side to form a damping element 1 with greater areal extent. For this purpose, the elements 2 and 4 are particularly preferably designed hexagonal or in the manner of a honeycomb pattern.

While the lower honeycomb elements 2 acting as "cylinders" are connected to one another according to FIG. 5, the upper "pistons" 4 are exposed next to one another and are connected to one another only by the sealing film 9. The connection between the "cylinders" 2 and the "piston" 4 via the connecting portions 5, which - as can be seen in Fig. 5 - are formed arched. As a result, the entry of the "piston" 4 in the "cylinder" 2 is favored upon initiation of a loading force in the loading direction R.

The entire damping element 1 shown in FIG. 4 can be cut into a shoe and there, in particular, inserted into a midsole.

When the damping element 1 is loaded, the "pistons" 4 press into the "cylinders" 2, since the essentially horizontally lying connecting sections 5 are not as stiff as the substantially perpendicular cell walls of the first and second elements 2, 4.

As the force increases, the second elements 4 press more and more into the axial region of the first elements 2.

Thus, one receives according to the load of the damping element 1 counteracting force until the "piston" 4 are pressed completely into the "cylinder" 2.

Upon pressure relief of the damping element 1, the original geometry is formed back, as sketched in Figures 1 and 5, respectively.

For the arrangement of the sealing foils 7 and 9, the following should be noted: In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5, the flat sealing foil 7 or 9 extends over a number of juxtaposed "piston-cylinder elements", ie a foil 7, 9 covers one Number of such elements. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that only individual film sections are used, each sealing only one end 6 of the first element 2 and / or only one end 9 of the second element 4 in a gastight manner. These film sections then form a "lid", which closes the end regions of the elements 2, 4. This "lid" may be welded to the ends 6 and 8 of the elements 2 and 4, respectively; but it is also possible that it is injection-molded, for example, in injection molding of the elements 2 and 4, ie formed in situ with. It is preferably provided that the ends 6 of the first elements 2 are closed with a large-area film 7 (as shown in Fig. 1), while the ends 8 of the second elements 4 are closed only with individual film sections 9 in the form of "covers" ,

FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 7 show an alternative embodiment of the damping element. Here it is provided that a plurality of first and second elements 2 and 4 are arranged side by side. In this case, the first and second elements 2 and 4 are positioned at a distance and parallel to one another (shown without films 7 or 9, see FIG. 1).

The connection of the individual units, each consisting of a first and a second element 2 and 4, via the connecting portions 5, which also connect the first and the second element 2, 4 together. The connecting portions 5 thus provide not only the connection between the first and second elements 2, 4 - in the axial direction - but also the connection of the individual sub-elements to the structure shown in the said figures.

As can be seen in particular from Fig. 6c and also Fig. 7, it is provided that the first and second elements 2 and 4 at least partially in the illustrated unloaded state of the damping element different heights H and h (s., Fig. 1) exhibit.

By adapting the geometry and in particular these heights and the widths of the individual elements 2 and 4, the thickness and design of the connecting portions 5 and also by appropriate choice of the material from which these parts are made, the spring and damping characteristics of the damping element 1 arbitrarily adapted or selected.

The spring and damping characteristic of the damping element 1 - in particular the spring force on the spring travel - can thus be largely selected according to a desired course.

The respective function, which must fulfill the individual partial damping element consisting of the first element, the second element and the connecting section, can thus be influenced, ie. H. whether it is more of a support or a damping effect is needed.

The damping element 1 according to the invention can also be used in combination with a conventional damping element, as is known in the art, in a shoe, in particular a sports shoe. This results in further possibilities to be able to optimally adapt the spring and damping behavior of a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, to the respective requirements.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

damping element

2

first element

3

accommodation space

4

second element

5

connecting portion

6

End of the first element

7

sealing film

8th

End of the second element

9

sealing film

R

load direction

H

Height of the first element

H

Height of the second element

B

Dimension of the first element

b

Dimension of the second element

Claims (21)

1. Damping element (1) for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, consisting of at least one first element (2) which essentially extends over a predetermined height (H) in a loading direction (R) in the unladen state of the damping element (1) and, embodied as a hollow body, defines a receiving space (3) into which a corresponding second element (4), of smaller dimensions in cross-section than the first element (2), can at least partly penetrate, the second element (4) essentially extending over a predetermined height (h) in the loading direction (R) in the unladen state of the damping element (1) and being arranged coaxially with the first element (2), wherein the second element (4) is also embodied as a hollow body, wherein the two associated elements (2, 4) are connected to one another through an elastic connecting portion (5) which only extends between the first element (2) and the second element (4),
   characterized in that
   the first element (2) and the second element (4) exhibit a corresponding form, namely a polygonal, in particular hexagonal, form in a section perpendicular to the loading direction (R).
2. Damping element according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting portion (5) runs flat in a plane perpendicular to the loading direction (R) in the unladen state of the damping element (1).
3. Damping element according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting portion (5) runs in a curve in a plane perpendicular to the loading direction (R) in the unladen state of the damping element (1).
4. Damping element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first element (2), the connecting portion (5) and the second element (4) are embodied in one piece.
5. Damping element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first element (2) and the second element (4) are manufactured by an injection moulding process.
6. Damping element according to claim 4 and 5, characterized in that the first element (2), the connecting portion (5) and the second element (4) are manufactured by a common injection moulding process.
7. Damping element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the end (6) of the first element (2) remote from the second element (4) is connected to a sealing film (7).
8. Damping element according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the end (8) of the second element (4) remote from the first element (2) is connected to a sealing film (9).
9. Damping element according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the elements (2, 4) and the sealing films (7, 9) are connected to one another in a gas-tight manner, in particular welded.
10. Damping element according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the first element (2), the second element (4), the connecting portion (5) and the sealing films (7, 9) form a gas-tight sealed flexible chamber.
11. Damping element according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the elements (2, 4) are made of plastic, in particular of thermoplastic material.
12. Damping element according to claim 11, characterized in that polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutane, polyamide, polyurethane or a mixture of at least two of these plastics is provided as the plastic.
13. Damping element according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the plastic is translucent or transparent.
14. Damping element according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a plurality of first and/or second elements (2, 4) are connected to one another.
15. Damping element according to claim 14, characterized in that the first elements (2) are connected to one another in their side area.
16. Damping element according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a plurality of first and second elements (2, 4) are arranged next to one another.
17. Damping element according to claim 16, characterized in that the connecting portion (5) of at least two adjoining first or second elements (2, 4) is embodied as a common part.
18. Damping element according to claim 17, characterized in that the plurality of first and second elements (2, 4) arranged next to one another are connected to one another through the connecting portions (5).
19. Damping element according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the first and second elements (2, 4) are arranged at distance from and parallel with one another.
20. Damping element according to one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the first and/or second elements (2, 4) exhibit different heights (H, h) at least in part in the unladen state of the damping element (1).
21. Damping element according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the material of the first element (2), the second element (4) and the connecting portion (5), and the geometric dimensions of these parts are selected to determine the damping properties of the damping element (1).

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