Intelligent shoe with pressure sensor array and intelligent shoe system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of intelligent shoes, and discloses an intelligent shoe with a pressure sensor array and an intelligent shoe system.The intelligent shoe comprises a vamp and further comprises an inertial navigation unit fixed to the vamp; the sole pressure sensor is embedded into the intelligent shoe; and the pressure data signal transmitting device is electrically connected with the plantar pressure sensor, and the pressure data signal transmitting device is fixed on the vamp. Compared with gait analysis equipment which is high in cost and complex in operation and needs to be used in a specific experimental environment, the intelligent shoe and the system thereof provide a solution which is high in cost benefit and easy to use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of smart shoes, and in particular to a smart shoe with a pressure sensor array and a smart shoe system. Background Art

[0002] Gait analysis plays an important role in the quantitative assessment of locomotor system diseases, especially gait disorders caused by musculoskeletal diseases and neurological diseases. Studies have shown that changes in gait parameters, such as gait speed, stride length, stride width, gait cycle, plantar pressure pattern, etc., can better reflect the severity of patients with musculoskeletal diseases such as chronic ankle instability, osteoarthritis, flat feet, equinus deformity, and are also closely related to neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease and stroke. As an important diagnostic method, gait analysis has been widely used in the diagnosis and evaluation of related diseases and postoperative rehabilitation. However, current clinical gait analysis mainly relies on the traditional "visual inspection" method combined with the doctor's experience and subjective judgment for diagnosis.

[0003] Currently, commercial gait analysis devices can accurately collect and analyze patients' gait data. However, these devices are often expensive, complex to use, and require specialized technicians to operate. These factors limit their application in daily life and clinical practice, making it difficult to provide effective big data support for clinicians. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of the present invention is to solve the technical problems of high cost and complicated use of gait analysis equipment in the prior art. A smart shoe with a pressure sensor array, the smart shoe comprising a shoe upper, characterized in that the smart shoe further comprises:

[0005] an inertial navigation unit, wherein the inertial navigation unit is fixed to the shoe upper;

[0006] A plantar pressure sensor, wherein the plantar pressure sensor is embedded in the smart shoe;

[0007] A pressure data signal transmitting device is electrically connected to the plantar pressure sensor and is fixed to the shoe upper.

[0008] The plantar pressure sensor is composed of a flexible film, a highly conductive material and a pressure-sensitive material, and is divided into two layers: a bottom layer is a flexible film and a conductive layer laminated with the flexible film, and a top layer is a flexible film and a pressure-sensitive material laminated with the flexible film.

[0009] The plantar pressure sensor adopts a sensing area layout of 15 rows and 7 columns, with a total of 22 output interface leads connected to the pressure data signal transmitter, forming a sensing grid containing 99 independent sensing areas.

[0010] The plantar pressure sensor is arranged on a substrate in the shape of an insole and consists of the first to fifteenth rows of sensing areas and the first to seventh columns of sensing areas;

[0011] The first row of sensing areas is provided with 5 independent sensors, the second to thirteenth row of sensing areas are provided with 7 independent sensors, the fourteenth row of sensing areas is provided with 6 independent sensors, and the fifteenth row of sensing areas is provided with 4 independent sensors.

[0012] The first independent sensors of the second to fourteenth rows of sensing areas are electrically connected to form a first column of sensing areas;

[0013] The first independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the second independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the first independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a second column of the sensing area;

[0014] The second independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the third independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the second independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a third column of the sensing area;

[0015] The third independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the fourth independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the third independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a fourth column of the sensing area;

[0016] The fourth independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the fifth independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the fourth independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a fifth column of the sensing area;

[0017] The fifth independent sensor of the first row of sensing areas and the sixth independent sensors of the second to fourteenth rows of sensing areas are electrically connected to form a sixth column of sensing areas;

[0018] The seventh independent sensors in the second to thirteenth rows of sensing areas are electrically connected to form a seventh column of sensing areas;

[0019] Each row of independent sensors is electrically connected to the output interface lead, and each column of independent sensors is electrically connected to the output interface lead.

[0020] The inertial navigation unit is a 9-degree-of-freedom inertial measurement unit.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a smart shoe system with a pressure sensor array, characterized in that the smart shoe system comprises:

[0022] An inertial navigation unit, wherein the inertial navigation unit is fixed to the upper of the smart shoe;

[0023] A plantar pressure sensor, wherein the plantar pressure sensor is embedded in the smart shoe;

[0024] a pressure data signal transmitting device, the pressure data signal transmitting device being electrically connected to the plantar pressure sensor and fixed to the shoe upper;

[0025] A motion capture processing unit is used to process and collect pressure data from the pressure data signal transmitter and position data from the inertial navigation unit.

[0026] The utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] Cost-effectiveness and ease of use: Compared with gait analysis equipment such as the Vicon optical motion capture system, AMTI force plate, and GAITRite electronic walkway, which are expensive, complex to operate, and require use in specific experimental environments, the smart shoe system of this utility model provides a cost-effective and easy-to-use solution. The rapid acquisition and analysis of a few minutes will help promote the use of gait analysis.

[0028] Real-time monitoring and environmental adaptability: This utility model integrates an insole-type plantar pressure sensor into the shoe to minimize the additional impact of the device on the user and supports long-term gait data collection in daily living environments. It does not require a specific laboratory environment and settings, allowing gait analysis to be performed in a more realistic daily environment, providing more natural and accurate gait data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the smart shoe structure;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the optical motion capture laboratory and smart shoe system;

[0031] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the plantar area division.

[0032] Reference numerals:

[0033] 1. Shoe upper, 2. Inertial navigation unit, 3. Pressure data signal transmitter, 4. Plantar pressure sensor;

[0034] Output interface lead 5;

[0035] The first to fifteenth rows of sensing areas Y1-Y15;

[0036] The first to seventh columns of sensing areas X1-X7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] For ease of understanding, the specific process of the embodiment of the present invention is described below. Figure 1In an embodiment of the present invention, a smart shoe with a pressure sensor array includes a shoe upper and further includes:

[0038] An inertial navigation unit is fixed to the shoe upper; the inertial navigation unit is a 9-degree-of-freedom inertial measurement unit.

[0039] Inertial Navigation Units (INUs) attached to the shoe surface are a promising design, particularly for applications such as human motion tracking, health monitoring, and virtual reality (VR) / augmented reality (AR). The 9-degree-of-freedom inertial measurement unit (9-DOF IMU) mentioned here typically includes three accelerometers, three gyroscopes, and a three-axis magnetometer.

[0040] Accelerometer: Used to measure the acceleration of an object along three axes (usually X, Y, and Z). This acceleration data can be converted into velocity information, which can be further integrated to obtain position information.

[0041] Gyroscope: Used to measure the angular velocity or angular displacement of an object relative to inertial space. Gyroscope data can help determine the direction and speed of an object's rotation.

[0042] Magnetometer (or electronic compass): Used to measure the direction and strength of the Earth's magnetic field, thereby determining the device's orientation. The magnetometer can compensate for directional drift caused by the gyroscope's integration error over long periods of time.

[0043] A plantar pressure sensor embedded in the smart shoe consists of a flexible film, a highly conductive material, and a pressure-sensitive material. It consists of two layers: a bottom layer of the flexible film and a conductive layer laminated thereon, and a top layer of the flexible film and a pressure-sensitive material laminated thereon. The sensor utilizes a sensing area layout of 15 rows and 7 columns, with 22 output interface leads connected to a pressure data signal transmitter, forming a sensing grid consisting of 99 independent sensing areas.

[0044] Constituent materials

[0045] Flexible film: This material is usually made of soft and elastic materials, such as polyimide (PI) film or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, to ensure that the sensor can fit the sole of the user's foot when worn without affecting the user's normal walking.

[0046] Highly conductive materials: These materials are used to form the conductive layer. These materials typically include silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, or metal meshes. These materials maintain good conductivity under pressure, enabling pressure measurement.

[0047] Pressure-sensitive materials: Pressure-sensitive materials are a key component of sensors, changing their electrical properties, such as resistance or capacitance, when subjected to pressure. Commonly used pressure-sensitive materials include piezoresistive materials (such as conductive rubber) and piezoelectric materials (such as piezoelectric ceramics).

[0048] Structural design

[0049] The sensor is designed as a two-layer structure:

[0050] Bottom layer: A conductive layer consisting of a flexible film and a highly conductive material laminated thereon. The conductive layer is divided into multiple independent regions, each representing an independent sensing zone.

[0051] The top layer also consists of a flexible film laminated with a pressure-sensitive material. When pressure is applied to the top layer, the pressure-sensitive material deforms, causing its electrical properties, such as resistance or capacitance, to change, which in turn alters the electrical properties of the corresponding areas in the conductive layer.

[0052] Sensing area layout and interface

[0053] Sensing Area Layout: The sensor area is arranged in 15 rows and 7 columns, forming a sensor grid with 99 independent sensing areas. This layout can cover the entire sole of the user's foot, providing more comprehensive data.

[0054] Interface leads: There are 22 output interface leads connected to the pressure data signal transmitter. These leads convert the electrical characteristic changes of each sensing area into digital signals, which are sent to the receiver through the transmitter for processing and analysis.

[0055] As a more preferred solution, Figure 3 The plantar pressure sensor is provided on a substrate in the shape of an insole and consists of the first to fifteenth rows of sensing areas and the first to seventh columns of sensing areas;

[0056] The first row of sensing areas is provided with 5 independent sensors, the second to thirteenth row of sensing areas are provided with 7 independent sensors, the fourteenth row of sensing areas is provided with 6 independent sensors, and the fifteenth row of sensing areas is provided with 4 independent sensors.

[0057] The first independent sensors of the second to fourteenth rows of sensing areas are electrically connected to form a first column of sensing areas;

[0058] The first independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the second independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the first independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a second column of the sensing area;

[0059] The second independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the third independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the second independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a third column of the sensing area;

[0060] The third independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the fourth independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the third independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a fourth column of the sensing area;

[0061] The fourth independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the fifth independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the fourth independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a fifth column of the sensing area;

[0062] The fifth independent sensor of the first row of sensing areas and the sixth independent sensors of the second to fourteenth rows of sensing areas are electrically connected to form a sixth column of sensing areas;

[0063] The seventh independent sensors in the second to thirteenth rows of sensing areas are electrically connected to form a seventh column of sensing areas;

[0064] Each row of independent sensors is electrically connected to the output interface lead, and each column of independent sensors is electrically connected to the output interface lead.

[0065] A pressure data signal transmitting device is electrically connected to the plantar pressure sensor and is fixed to the shoe upper.

[0066] The pressure data signal transmitter receives the electrical signals from the plantar pressure sensor and converts them into wireless signals for transmission. This device is typically attached to the shoe surface, facilitating wireless communication with a receiver (such as a smartphone, tablet, or dedicated sports monitoring device). This allows users to view and analyze their plantar pressure data in real time.

[0067] like Figure 2 The present invention also relates to a smart shoe system with a pressure sensor array, the smart shoe system comprising:

[0068] An inertial navigation unit, wherein the inertial navigation unit is fixed to the upper of the smart shoe;

[0069] A plantar pressure sensor, wherein the plantar pressure sensor is embedded in the smart shoe;

[0070] a pressure data signal transmitting device, the pressure data signal transmitting device being electrically connected to the plantar pressure sensor and fixed to the shoe upper;

[0071] A motion capture processing unit is used to process and collect pressure data from the pressure data signal transmitter and position data from the inertial navigation unit.

[0072] Working principle:

[0073] The inertial navigation unit (IMU) is fixed to the upper of the smart shoe and contains an accelerometer, gyroscope and possibly a magnetometer.

[0074] The accelerometer measures the acceleration of the smart shoe on three axes (X, Y, Z), from which the speed and displacement can be calculated.

[0075] The gyroscope measures the smart shoe's angular velocity, or angular displacement, helping to determine its direction and speed of rotation.

[0076] The magnetometer (if equipped) measures the direction and strength of the Earth's magnetic field to provide a directional reference and compensate for the accumulated errors of the gyroscope.

[0077] By fusing these sensor data, the IMU can estimate the position, speed, and orientation of the smart shoe (i.e., the wearer's foot).

[0078] The plantar pressure sensor is embedded in the smart shoe and consists of a two-layer structure consisting of a flexible film, a highly conductive material, and a pressure-sensitive material.

[0079] When the wearer walks or runs, different areas of the sole of the foot exert different pressures on the sensor.

[0080] These pressure changes cause changes in the resistance or capacitance of the pressure-sensitive material, which in turn generates an electrical signal.

[0081] The sensor adopts a sensing area layout of 15 rows and 7 columns, with a total of 22 output interface leads connected to the pressure data signal transmitter, forming a sensing grid containing 99 independent sensing areas.

[0082] Through this sensor grid, the system can accurately measure and record the pressure distribution and changes in various areas of the sole of the foot.

[0083] The pressure data signal transmitting device is electrically connected to the plantar pressure sensor and is responsible for receiving the electrical signal from the sensor.

[0084] These electrical signals are converted into wireless signals and sent to external devices (such as smartphones, tablets, or dedicated data processing equipment) via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless communication technologies.

[0085] The motion capture processing unit is the core part of the smart shoe system, responsible for processing and collecting pressure data from the pressure data signal transmitter and position data from the inertial navigation unit.

[0086] It receives and analyzes these wireless signals, converting the raw data into useful information such as gait analysis, step count, speed calculation, motion trajectory, etc.

[0087] Through algorithms and data analysis, the processing unit can identify different movement patterns, gait abnormalities, posture problems, etc., and provide feedback and suggestions to users.

[0088] The processing unit can also store this data locally or in the cloud so that users can view and analyze their sports performance and health status at any time.

[0089] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A smart shoe with a pressure sensor array, the smart shoe comprising a shoe upper, characterized in that: The smart shoes also include: an inertial navigation unit, wherein the inertial navigation unit is fixed to the shoe upper; A plantar pressure sensor, wherein the plantar pressure sensor is embedded in the smart shoe; A pressure data signal transmitting device is electrically connected to the plantar pressure sensor and is fixed to the shoe upper.

2. The smart shoe with a pressure sensor array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plantar pressure sensor is composed of a flexible film, a highly conductive material and a pressure-sensitive material, and is divided into two layers: a bottom layer is a flexible film and a conductive layer laminated with the flexible film, and a top layer is a flexible film and a pressure-sensitive material laminated with the flexible film.

3. The smart shoe with a pressure sensor array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plantar pressure sensor adopts a sensing area layout of 15 rows and 7 columns, with a total of 22 output interface leads connected to the pressure data signal transmitter, forming a sensing grid containing 99 independent sensors.

4. The smart shoe with a pressure sensor array according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plantar pressure sensor is arranged on a substrate in the shape of an insole and consists of the first to fifteenth rows of sensing areas and the first to seventh columns of sensing areas; The first row of sensor areas is provided with 5 independent sensors, the second to thirteenth row of sensor areas are provided with 7 independent sensors, the fourteenth row of sensor areas is provided with 6 independent sensors, and the fifteenth row of sensor areas is provided with 4 independent sensors. The first independent sensors of the second to fourteenth rows of sensing areas are electrically connected to form a first column of sensing areas; The first independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the second independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the first independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a second column of the sensing area; The second independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the third independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the second independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a third column of the sensing area; The third independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the fourth independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the third independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a fourth column of the sensing area; The fourth independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the fifth independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the fourth independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a fifth column of the sensing area; The fifth independent sensor of the first row of sensing areas and the sixth independent sensors of the second to fourteenth rows of sensing areas are electrically connected to form a sixth column of sensing areas; The seventh independent sensors in the second to thirteenth rows of sensing areas are electrically connected to form a seventh column of sensing areas; Each row of independent sensors is electrically connected to the output interface lead, and each column of independent sensors is electrically connected to the output interface lead.

5. The smart shoe with a pressure sensor array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inertial navigation unit is a 9-degree-of-freedom inertial measurement unit.

6. A smart shoe system with a pressure sensor array, characterized in that: The smart shoe system includes: An inertial navigation unit, wherein the inertial navigation unit is fixed to the upper of the smart shoe; A plantar pressure sensor, wherein the plantar pressure sensor is embedded in the smart shoe; a pressure data signal transmitting device, the pressure data signal transmitting device being electrically connected to the plantar pressure sensor and fixed to the shoe upper; A motion capture processing unit is used to process and collect pressure data from the pressure data signal transmitter and position data from the inertial navigation unit.

7. The smart shoe system with a pressure sensor array according to claim 6, characterized in that: The plantar pressure sensor is composed of a flexible film, a highly conductive material and a pressure-sensitive material, and is divided into two layers: a bottom layer is a flexible film and a conductive layer laminated with the flexible film, and a top layer is a flexible film and a pressure-sensitive material laminated with the flexible film.

8. The smart shoe system with a pressure sensor array according to claim 6, characterized in that: The plantar pressure sensor adopts a sensing area layout of 15 rows and 7 columns, with a total of 22 output interface leads connected to the pressure data signal transmitter, forming a sensing grid containing 99 independent sensing areas.

9. The smart shoe system with a pressure sensor array according to claim 8, characterized in that: The plantar pressure sensor is arranged on a substrate in the shape of an insole and consists of the first to fifteenth rows of sensing areas and the first to seventh columns of sensing areas; The first row of sensor areas is provided with 5 independent sensors, the second to thirteenth row of sensor areas are provided with 7 independent sensors, the fourteenth row of sensor areas is provided with 6 independent sensors, and the fifteenth row of sensor areas is provided with 4 independent sensors. The first independent sensors of the second to fourteenth rows of sensing areas are electrically connected to form a first column of sensing areas; The first independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the second independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the first independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a second column of the sensing area; The second independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the third independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the second independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a third column of the sensing area; The third independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the fourth independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the third independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a fourth column of the sensing area; The fourth independent sensor in the first row of the sensing area, the fifth independent sensors in the second to fourteenth rows of the sensing area, and the fourth independent sensor in the fifteenth row of the sensing area are electrically connected to form a fifth column of the sensing area; The fifth independent sensor of the first row of sensing areas and the sixth independent sensors of the second to fourteenth rows of sensing areas are electrically connected to form a sixth column of sensing areas; The seventh independent sensors in the second to thirteenth rows of sensing areas are electrically connected to form a seventh column of sensing areas; Each row of independent sensors is electrically connected to the output interface lead, and each column of independent sensors is electrically connected to the output interface lead.

10. The smart shoe system with a pressure sensor array according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inertial navigation unit is a 9-degree-of-freedom inertial measurement unit.

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