Device and method for monitoring shoelace tightness

Abstract

The present invention discloses a device and method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces. The device includes a block and a connecting component fixed to the block. The block includes a force sensor, a prompter, and a processor connected to the force sensor and the prompter. The force sensor is located at the bottom of the block. The monitoring method includes: the processor receives the force value detected by the force sensor; compares the received force value with the standard force value range; if the received force value is greater than the upper limit of the standard force value range, controls the prompter to send a first prompt signal; if the received force value is less than the lower limit of the standard force value range, controls the prompter to send a second prompt signal. This device and method can monitor the tightness of shoelaces between two adjacent rows of shoelace holes. Users can choose the number of devices to use according to their needs and adjust the tightness of the shoelaces according to the prompt signals of the prompter to avoid damage caused by shoelaces that are too loose or too tight, providing optimal protection for the feet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to smart shoes, and in particular to a device and method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces. Background Art

[0002] Shoelaces, in simple terms, are the straps on shoes used to adjust the tightness of the upper. They are an integral part of most athletic shoes and play a crucial role, securing the inner and outer uppers, adjusting the tightness of the shoe, and protecting the foot. The tightness of shoelaces not only affects comfort but can also cause injury. Literature indicates that different shoelace lacing methods and tightness can significantly alter the forces acting on the metatarsophalangeal joints and foot bones, ground impact forces, and the forces acting on the dorsum of the foot and its stability.

[0003] If shoelaces are too loose, they allow the foot to move more freely within the shoe cavity. Studies have shown that well-fitting athletic shoes can prevent sports injuries and increase exercise comfort. However, loose shoelaces can reduce the fit of the shoes, rendering them less protective and increasing the risk of sprains. Furthermore, studies have shown that loose shoelaces can easily lead to fatigue and fatigue-related injuries. Loose shoelaces can also cause the shoes to deform during use, shortening their lifespan.

[0004] Overly tight shoelaces can also affect blood circulation in the feet, especially the dorsum of the foot, causing pressure on the nerves and ligaments in the dorsum of the foot, resulting in dorsum pain, limited foot movement, and even abnormal or numb toe sensations. Long-term tight shoelaces can increase the risk of foot deformities. During exercise, some athletes often tie their shoelaces too tightly in pursuit of speed. This increases the pressure of the shoe on the foot during exercise and is one of the main causes of black toenails. In addition, overly tight shoelaces impede blood circulation, preventing heat from reaching the foot effectively, and can cause toe swelling. In low ambient temperatures, this can increase the risk of frostbite.

[0005] It can be seen that shoelaces that are too loose or too tight may cause injuries. Currently, the only way to adjust the tightness is to rely on people's subjective perception. However, the subjective perception function varies among different people, and the accuracy is also different. Not everyone can adjust the shoelaces to the optimal tightness based on their subjective perception ability. In addition, the tightness of the shoelaces will change over time, but people often ignore this change and fail to readjust the tightness of the shoelaces in time. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device and method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces, by combining a force sensor with the shoelaces, so as to accurately perceive the tightness of the shoelaces.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a device for monitoring shoelace tightness. The device comprises a block and a connecting component fixed to the block. The block comprises a force sensor, a prompter, and a processor connected to the force sensor and the prompter. The force sensor is located at the bottom of the block.

[0009] Optionally, for the device for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces, the indicator includes an indicator light, and the indicator light is provided on the top layer of the block.

[0010] Optionally, for the device for monitoring shoelace tightness, the connecting component includes a C-shaped ring with both ends connected to the block.

[0011] Optionally, for the device for monitoring shoelace tightness, the connecting component includes two C-shaped rings respectively located on both sides of the block.

[0012] Optionally, for the device for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces, the block further includes a power supply.

[0013] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a monitoring method for the aforementioned device for monitoring shoelace tightness. The monitoring method includes: a processor receiving a force value detected by a force sensor; comparing the received force value with a standard force range; if the received force value is greater than an upper limit of the standard force range, controlling a prompter to emit a first prompt signal; if the received force value is less than a lower limit of the standard force range, controlling the prompter to emit a second prompt signal.

[0014] Optionally, for the method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces, if the received force value is greater than the upper limit value of the standard force value range, the control prompter sends a first prompt signal, including: controlling the prompter to send the first prompt signal and maintain the current state; receiving the force value detected by the force sensor; comparing the received force value with the standard force value range; when the received force value is within the standard force value range, controlling the prompter to send a third prompt signal.

[0015] Optionally, for the method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces, if the received tension value is less than the lower limit of the standard tension value range, the prompter is controlled to send a second prompt signal, including: controlling the prompter to send the second prompt signal and maintaining the current state; receiving the force value detected by the sensor; comparing the received force value with the standard force value range; when the received force value is within the standard force value range, the prompter is controlled to send a third prompt signal.

[0016] Optionally, for the method for monitoring shoelace tightness, the prompter includes an indicator light, and different prompt signals cause the indicator light to display different colors.

[0017] Optionally, the method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces, before the processor receives the force value detected by the force sensor, further includes: connecting the connecting component of the device for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces to the shoelaces, wherein connecting the connecting component of the device for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces to the shoelaces includes: one end of the shoelace passes through the shoelace holes on the first side of the first row of two adjacent rows of shoelace holes of the shoe and then passes through the connecting component, and after passing through the shoelace holes on the first side of the second row, the connecting component is passed through.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the main advantages of the technical solution of the present invention are as follows:

[0019] The existing shoelaces can only adjust the tightness of sports shoes based on people's subjective feelings. However, it is very likely that due to differences in people's own perception functions, they cannot accurately perceive the tightness of the shoelaces, which brings potential risks caused by the shoelaces being too loose or too tight. At present, there is no system with the function of monitoring the tightness of shoelaces. The device and method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces in the embodiment of the present invention accurately perceive the tightness of shoelaces by combining a force sensor with shoelaces. The device and method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces in the embodiment of the present invention can monitor the tightness of shoelaces between two adjacent rows of shoelace holes. Users can choose the number of devices to use according to their needs and adjust the tightness of shoelaces according to the prompt signals of the prompter to avoid injuries caused by shoelaces being too loose or too tight, thereby providing optimal protection for the feet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment below. The accompanying drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be considered as limiting the present disclosure. The same reference symbols are used throughout the drawings to represent the same components. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 A side view of a device for monitoring shoelace tightness provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top view of the device for monitoring shoelace tightness is shown;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a shoe including a device for monitoring shoelace tightness is provided as an example;

[0024] Figure 4A flowchart of a monitoring method of an apparatus for monitoring shoelace tightness provided in another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0026] Figure 1 A side view of a device for monitoring shoelace tightness provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top view of a device for monitoring shoelace tightness is shown. The device for monitoring shoelace tightness provided in this embodiment includes a block 110 and a connecting component 120 fixed to the block 110. The block 110 includes a force sensor 113, a prompter 115, and a processor connected to the force sensor 113 and the prompter 115. The force sensor 113 is located at the bottom of the block 110.

[0028] The indicator 115 may include an indicator light located on the top layer of the block. As the shoelaces are tightened to varying degrees, the force applied to the force sensor varies. The indicator light changes color depending on the tension, ensuring the shoelaces are adjusted to a comfortable tightness or reminding the user to re-tie the shoelaces to a comfortable tightness if the shoelaces become loose. The indicator light may also include an auditory prompt device, such as a buzzer and / or a display prompt device.

[0029] The connecting member 120 is used for fixing and tightening the shoelace. The connecting member 120 may include a C-shaped ring with two ends connected to the block.

[0030] The connecting member 120 may include a first connecting structure and a second connecting structure, wherein the first portion of the shoelace is connected to the first connecting structure, and the second portion of the shoelace is connected to the second connecting structure. The first end of the shoelace is passed through the shoelace holes on the first side of the first row, such as the left side, of two adjacent rows of shoelace holes on the shoe, and then through the first connecting structure. After passing through the first connecting structure, the shoelace holes are passed through the shoelace holes on the first side of the second row, such as the left side. The second end of the shoelace is passed through the shoelace holes on the second side of the first row, such as the right side, of two adjacent rows of shoelace holes, and then through the second connecting structure. After passing through the second connecting structure, the shoelace holes are passed through the shoelace holes on the second side of the second row, such as the right side.

[0031] The first connection structure and the second connection structure can be two C-shaped rings located on both sides of the block 110. After the shoelaces pass through the shoelace holes on both sides, the force sensor 113 is attached to the tongue through the C-shaped rings. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, as an example of a method of connecting shoelaces and C-shaped rings on a shoe, after the left and right ends of the shoelace 310 are respectively passed through the left shoelace holes and the right shoelace holes of the first row of shoelace holes in two adjacent rows of shoelace holes 330 of the shoe, the device for monitoring the tightness of the shoelaces is placed between the first and second rows of shoelace holes, the left end of the shoelace is passed through the left C-shaped ring of the two C-shaped rings 320 of the device for monitoring the tightness of the shoelaces and then through the left shoelace hole of the second row of shoelace holes, the right end of the shoelace is passed through the right C-shaped ring of the device for monitoring the tightness of the shoelaces and then through the right shoelace hole of the second row of shoelace holes, thereby fixing the device for monitoring the tightness of the shoelaces between the two adjacent rows of shoelace holes.

[0032] The shape of the block 110 can be a cuboid or a cube. Of course, the block 110 can also be a curved surface that fits the wearer's foot shape towards the side of the tongue to make the wearer feel more comfortable.

[0033] The block 110 may include a power source 117, such as a battery, which may be located between the indicator 115 and the force sensor 113. Alternatively, the power source may be located external to the block 110.

[0034] In this embodiment, the shoe includes at least two rows of shoelace eyelets and at least one device for monitoring shoelace tightness, wherein the at least one device for monitoring shoelace tightness is located between different groups of adjacent rows of shoelace eyelets. The number of devices for monitoring shoelace tightness required is related to the number of shoelace eyelets. If the shoe has n rows of shoelace eyelets and a device for monitoring shoelace tightness is located between each group of adjacent rows of shoelace eyelets, the number of devices required for monitoring shoelace tightness is equal to the number of rows of shoelace eyelets in the shoe (n-1).

[0035] Figure 4 A flowchart of a monitoring method of the apparatus for monitoring shoelace tightness provided in another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, in step S410, the processor receives a force value detected by a force sensor.

[0037] In step S420, the received force value is compared with the standard force range. If the received force value is greater than the upper limit of the standard force range, the process proceeds to step S430. If the received force value is less than the lower limit of the standard force range, the process proceeds to step S440.

[0038] In step S430, the indicator is controlled to emit a first prompt signal. The specific process of step S430 may include: controlling the indicator to emit the first prompt signal and maintain the current state; receiving the force value detected by the sensor; comparing the received force value with a standard force value range; and when the received force value is within the standard force value range, controlling the indicator to emit a third prompt signal. As an optional embodiment, the indicator may include an indicator light; the first prompt signal may cause the indicator light to display a first color, and the third prompt signal may cause the indicator light to display a third color.

[0039] In step S440, the indicator is controlled to emit a second prompt signal. The specific process of step S440 may include: controlling the indicator to emit the second prompt signal and maintain the current state; receiving the force value detected by the force sensor; comparing the received force value with the standard tensile force range; and when the received force value is within the standard force range, controlling the indicator to emit a third prompt signal. As an optional embodiment, the indicator may include an indicator light; the second prompt signal may display the indicator light in a second color, and the third prompt signal may display the indicator light in a third color.

[0040] The monitoring method of the device for monitoring shoelace tightness in this example may further include, before step S410, connecting a connecting component of the device for monitoring shoelace tightness to the shoelace. The specific process may include: one end of the shoelace is passed through the shoelace holes on the first side of the first row, such as the left side, of two adjacent rows of shoelace holes, and then through the connecting component, and then through the shoelace holes on the first side of the second row, such as the left side, after passing through the connecting component.

[0041] As a more specific example, the indicator light can display different colors, including red, green, and yellow, depending on the tension on both sides. When the tension on both sides of the force sensor is within the appropriate range, the indicator light turns green, indicating that the shoelaces are properly tight. The indicator light remains on for a preset duration, such as 5 seconds, and then turns off. When the tension on both sides is excessive, the indicator light turns red, indicating that the shoelaces are too tight and need to be loosened. The force sensor detects the force value. If the user adjusts the shoelaces and the force value is within the standard force range, the indicator light turns green, indicating that the shoelaces are properly tight. The indicator light remains on for a preset duration, such as 5 seconds, and then turns off. If the shoelaces are too loose due to long-term use, the force sensor detects that the tension on both sides is too low. The indicator light remains on yellow, alerting the user that the shoelaces are too loose and need to be tightened. If the user adjusts the shoelaces and the force value is within the standard force range, the indicator light turns green, indicating that the shoelaces are properly tight. The indicator light remains on for a preset duration, such as 5 seconds, and then turns off. Of course, in this example, the indicator light showing green can be replaced with an indicator light not lighting up.

[0042] The device and method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces in the embodiments of the present disclosure can monitor the tightness of shoelaces between two adjacent rows of shoelace holes. Users can choose the number of devices to use according to their needs and adjust the tightness of shoelaces according to the prompt signals of the prompter to avoid injuries caused by shoelaces that are too loose or too tight, thereby providing optimal protection for the feet.

[0043] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claims of the present disclosure. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present disclosure and the drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the scope of protection of the claims of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A monitoring method for a device for monitoring shoelace tightness, characterized in that: The device for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces is used to monitor the tightness of shoelaces between two adjacent rows of shoelace holes, including a block and a connecting component fixed to the block, wherein the block includes a force sensor, a prompter, and a processor connected to the force sensor and the prompter, wherein the force sensor is located at the bottom of the block, and the side of the block facing the shoe tongue is an arc-shaped surface that fits the shape of the wearer's foot. After the shoelaces pass through the shoelace holes on both sides, the force sensor is attached to the shoe tongue through the connecting component. As the degree of tightening of the shoelaces varies, the force sensor is subjected to different amounts of force. The prompter includes an indicator light, which is arranged on the top layer of the block. The indicator light displays different colors according to the amount of force, so as to ensure that the shoe is in a stable state. The shoelaces are adjusted to a most comfortable tightness, or the shoelaces are reminded to be tied again within a most comfortable range after being loosened; the connecting component is used to fix and tighten the shoelaces, and the connecting component includes a first connecting structure and a second connecting structure. The first end of the shoelace is passed through the shoelace holes on the first side of the first row of two adjacent rows of shoelace holes on the shoe, and then through the first connecting structure, and then through the shoelace holes on the first side of the second row; the second end of the shoelace is passed through the shoelace holes on the second side of the first row of two adjacent rows of shoelace holes, and then through the second connecting structure, and then through the shoelace holes on the second side of the second row, thereby fixing the device for monitoring the tightness of the shoelaces between the two adjacent rows of shoelace holes; The method includes: a processor receives a force value detected by a force sensor; compares the received force value with a standard force value range; if the received force value is greater than an upper limit value of the standard force value range, the controller sends a first prompt signal; if the received force value is less than a lower limit value of the standard force value range, the controller sends a second prompt signal.

2. The monitoring method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting component includes a C-shaped ring with both ends connected to the block.

3. The monitoring method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces according to claim 1, wherein: The block also includes a power supply.

4. The monitoring method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces according to claim 1, wherein: If the received force value is greater than the upper limit of the standard force value range, the controller sends a first prompt signal, including: Controlling the prompter to send out a first prompt signal and maintain the current state; receiving a force value detected by a force sensor; Compare the received force value with the standard force range; When the received force value is within the standard force value range, the control prompter sends a third prompt signal.

5. The monitoring method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces according to claim 1, wherein: If the received tension value is less than the lower limit of the standard tension value range, the control prompter sends a second prompt signal, including: Controlling the prompter to send out a second prompt signal and maintain the current state; Receive the force value detected by the sensor; Compare the received force value with the standard force range; When the received force value is within the standard force value range, the control prompter sends a third prompt signal.

6. The monitoring method of the device for monitoring shoelace tightness according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that: The prompter includes an indicator light, and different prompt signals cause the indicator light to display different colors.

7. The monitoring method for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces according to claim 6, wherein: Before the processor receives the force value detected by the force sensor, the method further includes: connecting the connecting component of the device for monitoring the tightness of the shoelace to the shoelace, Among them, connecting the connecting component of the device for monitoring the tightness of shoelaces with the shoelaces includes: one end of the shoelace passes through the shoelace holes on the first side of the first row of two adjacent rows of shoelace holes of the shoe and then passes through the connecting component, and then passes through the shoelace holes on the first side of the second row after passing through the connecting component.

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