Sensor device, sole device, detection system and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a sensor device (100) for detecting forces between a foot and a support surface. The sensor device allows for accurate force measurements while having improved durability. The sensor device (100) includes a plurality of foil-like sensor elements (120) arranged as individual elements in at least a substantially common plane formed by a carrier (110), and a plurality of pad elements (130), the number of pad elements (130) corresponding to the number of sensor elements (120), and the pad elements (130) arranged as individual elements such that an area of ​​each one of the plurality of pad elements (130) at least partially overlaps an area of ​​a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor elements (120).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of sports medicine and / or gait analysis, and in particular to a sensor device for detecting forces between a foot and a supporting surface. The present invention also relates to a sole device for a shoe, a detection system for detecting forces between a foot and a supporting surface, and a method for providing the sensor device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in sports medicine, gait analysis, and the like, there are applications in which the forces generated during walking, such as ground reaction forces, should be measured as accurately as possible and the gait determined therefrom. To this end, a sensor device can be used in the shoe to measure the generated forces. Depending on the desired accuracy of the measurement, the sensor device can include multiple sensor elements.

[0003] The sensor elements may be embedded in a shoe, for example, in a polymer foam. Being embedded in the foam can cause mechanical stresses on the sensor device, such as shear stress or tensile stress, which mechanically stresses the sensor film layers of the sensor elements and / or wires connected to the sensor elements. Furthermore, the foam can cause relatively nonlinear sensor characteristics in the sensor device that must be taken into account during sensor signal processing, potentially requiring computationally intensive and complex calibration and / or compensation. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] Therefore, there may be a need to provide an improved means for incorporating a sensor device into a shoe.It is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor device that can be used in a shoe that provides at least one of durability and accurate force measurement.

[0005] That object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims, further embodiments being defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] In a first aspect, a sensor device for detecting at least one force between a foot and a support surface is provided. The sensor device can be configured for locomotion gait analysis, etc. The sensor device includes a plurality of foil-like sensor elements arranged as individual elements in at least a substantially common plane formed by a carrier. The sensor device further includes a plurality of pad elements and a plurality of sensor elements corresponding to the number of pad elements. The sensor elements are arranged as individual elements such that an area of ​​each of the plurality of pad elements at least partially overlaps an area of ​​a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor elements.

[0007] Thus, in contrast to embedding the sensor elements in foam, the pad element covers only one side of each of the multiple sensor elements instead of completely surrounding them. This reduces the effects of tension and / or shear forces, thereby reducing mechanical stress on the sensor elements and improving durability. Furthermore, since wires can be routed around the pad element, mechanical stress on the wires connected to the sensor elements can be reduced. Furthermore, when the pad elements are individually positioned, the force dissipation and / or recoil is more direct than when embedded in foam, resulting in a higher percentage of the force being detected than when embedded in foam, especially when multiple sensor elements are embedded in the foam simultaneously. As a result, the sensor device of the first embodiment provides accurate force measurements. While foam behaves nonlinearly due to its structure and / or material properties, the structure and / or material properties of the multiple pad elements can reduce the effort required to calibrate and / or compensate for nonlinear signal characteristics.

[0008] As used herein, a foil-like sensor element may utilize force sensitive resistor (FSR) technology or any other type of layered arrangement of foil and conductive and / or semiconductive materials, and may be configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of the force generated when a foot strikes a floor surface.

[0009] For example, the sensor element may comprise a first layer comprising a non-conductive carrier foil and a first semiconductor layer extending at least partially along the longitudinal direction of the first layer and in contact with the conductive region; a layer comprising a plurality of conductive sections, at least one electrical connection region; and a second layer comprising a non-conductive carrier foil and a second semiconductor layer extending at least partially along the longitudinal direction of the second layer, the at least one electrical connection region contacting one of the semiconductor layers of the first and second layers and adapted to be connected to an electrical energy source, the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer being arranged at a distance from each other and adapted to selectively contact each other in response to a force applied to the sensor element, thereby modifying the resistance value of the sensor element.

[0010] Furthermore, each sensor element of the sensor device can be configured to output an assigned signal that can change depending on the load conditions caused by the applied force. The carrier foil of at least one of the first and second layers can be formed from a suitable plastic, such as polyester, and can be approximately 50 to 150 microns (μm), preferably approximately 80 to 120 μm, and preferably approximately 100 μm, thick. At least one of the first and second semiconductor layers can be formed as an ink, specifically a carbon ink. The conductive region can be formed by a conductive ink, such as a silver-containing ink or silver ink. The conductive region can serve as a connection to an electrical circuit and can also serve as a conductor and connector for a carbon interlayer that can be disposed between the first and second layers. The carbon layer can have a predetermined electrical resistance that can be determined by its surface and composition. The surface resistance can be selected depending on the application. Silver has a higher electrical conductivity than graphite, which, for example, significantly reduces resistance, particularly input impedance. For further details and / or embodiments of the sensor element, reference is made to WO 2020 / 224937 A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. The pad element can also be understood as a kind of stamp configured to introduce force into an adjacent part of the shoe, such as an insole. Preferably, the pad element contacts only the flat surface of the associated sensor element, which flat surface can be formed by the surface of the foil. The pad element can be, for example, plate-shaped, rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, etc., and the flat surface has substantially the size or area of ​​the flat surface corresponding to the assigned sensor element. Being individually arranged can be understood to mean that the pad elements are not connected to each other at all, or at least only very weakly connected, so that force transmission between single pad elements is barely possible.

[0011] As used herein, the overlap of each one of the plurality of pad elements with a corresponding, i.e., assigned, one of the plurality of sensor elements may be in the direction in which a force is applied. Preferably, the surfaces of the pad element and the sensor element facing each other may be (essentially) the same and / or have (essentially) the same surface area.

[0012] Preferably, the number of sensor elements and / or the number of sensor elements may be n, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2. In other words, the sensor device may comprise a plurality of sensor elements, which may be arranged so as to be distributed over the entire virtual foot surface, the carrier of which is geometrically adapted to achieve an accurate measurement of the force to be measured. The sensor device may also be referred to as a sensor array.

[0013] Additionally, individual pad elements may be attached to individual sensor elements.

[0014] According to one embodiment, exactly one of the pad elements can be assigned to exactly one of the sensor elements. In other words, a single sensor element is attached to a single pad element. In this way, the pad elements are not connected to each other at all and interact only with a single sensor element, thereby enabling particularly accurate force measurements. Furthermore, a single pad element exerts almost no mechanical stress on the single sensor element and / or the wires or wiring connecting to the sensor element.

[0015] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of sensor elements, along with an assigned one of the plurality of pad elements, may be positioned so as to be independent of the other sensor elements and their assigned pad elements. In this manner, the pad elements are not connected to each other at all and interact only with a single sensor element. Furthermore, in this manner, the pad elements do not apply mechanical stress to the wires or traces connecting to the sensor elements.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the pad elements and the sensor elements may be attached to one another at least partially and / or at each section. This may be any type of lock suitable for securing each one of the pad elements and a corresponding one of the sensor elements to one another. For example, the attachment may be a material lock, such as by using an adhesive, or a form fit, such as by interacting a protrusion and a recess. This prevents the pad elements from shifting or moving relative to the sensor elements and vice versa.

[0017] In one embodiment, each of the pad elements may be attached to the carrier's surface facing the support surface. For example, if the sensor device or sensor element has a top surface facing the foot, the pad element may be disposed on its bottom surface. Alternatively, if the sensor device or sensor element has a bottom surface facing the foot, the pad element may be disposed on its top surface. This allows for effective application of force to the sensor element.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the material of the pad elements may have at least elastic or rubber-elastic properties. For example, the material may be rubber or silicone, etc. This provides high durability. Furthermore, the influence of the pad elements on the force measurement signal can be estimated.

[0019] In one embodiment, the material of the pad elements has a Shore A hardness in the range of 10 to 60, preferably in the range of 20 to 50, more preferably in the range of 25 to 45, even more preferably in the range of 30 to 40, and most preferably 35. This makes the material flexible, dense, and robust, resulting in high durability. Furthermore, the influence of the pad elements on the force measurement signal can be estimated.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the number of the plurality of sensor elements and / or the plurality of pad elements is between 2 and 30, or between 3 and 30, preferably between 13 and 18, and most preferably 15 or 16. They can be arranged to be distributed over the entire virtual foot surface, with the carrier geometrically adapted to achieve an accurate measurement of the force to be measured. This allows the sensor device to provide information to function as a weight scale by calculating the sum of the forces detected through the plurality of sensor elements of the sensor device. Furthermore, the plurality of sensor elements and / or the plurality of pad elements can be arranged in the mid-foot and heel regions in the direction of the toes on separate tracks extending in the longitudinal direction of the foot, which can resemble toes.

[0021] In one embodiment, the material thickness of the padding element is between about 1 mm and 10 mm, preferably between about 1 mm and 8 mm, more preferably between about 2 mm and 5 mm, and most preferably between 3 mm and 4 mm.

[0022] In one embodiment, the carrier is formed by at least one foil. The wires may be embedded, molded, or printed into the foil. Furthermore, the foil may be multi-layered.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the sensor elements may be surrounded by a boundary whose thickness is equal to or less than the thickness of the pad elements in the direction of the force applied to the sensor elements. The boundary may be made of the same material as the pad elements. In this way, buckling of a cover sole that may be placed on the sensor device, for example in the direction of an insole, can be at least minimized.

[0024] According to a second aspect, there is provided a sole device for a shoe, the sole device comprising a sensor device according to the first aspect and at least one sole element, the sensor device and the at least one sole element being arranged to float relative to each other.

[0025] The floating arrangement maximizes the possibility of the foil(s) of the sensor device and / or sensor element(s) deflecting under load, i.e., having high slip dynamics. In other words, the cover sole and / or the foot "float" on the sensor device. As a result, foot / shoe movement does not induce significant tension in the foil(s) of the sensor device and / or sensor element(s) and / or the wires or wiring connecting the sensor element(s). This results in high durability.

[0026] The shoes may be sports shoes, running shoes, walking shoes, business shoes, etc.

[0027] In one embodiment, the carrier and the at least one sole element of the sensor device may be spaced apart essentially by a layer formed by each pad element, and preferably the space between the carrier and the at least one sole element may be between about 1 mm and 10 mm, preferably between about 1 mm and 8 mm, more preferably between about 2 mm and 5 mm, and most preferably between 3 mm and 4 mm.

[0028] According to one embodiment, at least one sole element comprises a cover sole, also called upper sole, arranged so as to float relative to the sensor device and made of a material having a Shore A hardness higher than that of the material of the pad elements of the sensor device. The Shore A hardness may be at least 60, preferably between 90 and 100, most preferably 95. Thus, the foot rests on the cover sole and the body weight, i.e. the sum of the forces measured by each sensor element, is transmitted exclusively via the sensor elements and the pad elements.

[0029] In one embodiment, the at least one sole element comprises an insole, also referred to as a lower sole, made from a material with a higher Shore A hardness than the padding elements of the sensor device. The Shore A hardness may be at least 60, preferably between 90 and 100, and most preferably 95.

[0030] Preferably, the cover sole and / or the insole may have a surface area corresponding to that of the sensor device, which may be slightly longer, but should avoid being too wide or the sole too long, which would transmit part of the force to the sidewall of the shoe.

[0031] In one embodiment, the cover sole as well as the lower sole may have a surface area slightly larger than the surface area of ​​the sensor device, and preferably the surface area of ​​the cover sole is slightly larger than the surface area of ​​the lower sole.

[0032] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the padding elements may be connected to the insole by a material lock. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the padding elements may be molded into the insole. In this way, at least one of the padding elements and the sensor device may be fixed on one side, while the opposite side is floating with the cover sole. This provides high durability.

[0033] According to a third aspect, there is provided a detection system for detecting a force between a foot and a support surface. The system comprises a shoe and a sole device according to the second aspect, the sole device comprising a sensor device according to the first aspect. The system further comprises a power supply connected to the sensor device and an evaluation circuit connected to the sensor device. According to the system, at least one of the power supply and the evaluation circuit is housed in a material recess in at least one of the shoe and at least one sole element of the sole device.

[0034] Thus, a system is provided for use with shoes that provides durability and / or accurate force measurement. Additionally, housing the power supply and / or evaluation circuitry in a material recess facilitates securing the sole device to the shoe.

[0035] In one embodiment, the evaluation circuit is configured to operate as a weight scale by calculating the sum of the forces detected through the multiple sensor elements of the sensor device. The sensor device described above can provide an accurate force measurement through each of the multiple sensor elements. Adding up the individual sensor signals or values ​​results in or is the sum of the body weight forces. To this end, the evaluation circuit can be configured to process the sensor signals of the multiple sensor elements. The weight calculation can be performed by the evaluation circuit and / or external evaluation software, for example.

[0036] According to a fourth aspect, there is defined a method for providing a sensor device configured to detect a force between a foot and a support surface, the method comprising: arranging a plurality of foil-like sensor elements as individual elements in at least a substantially common plane formed by a carrier; and arranging a plurality of pad elements, the number of which corresponds to the number of sensor elements, as individual elements such that an area of ​​each one of the plurality of pad elements at least partially overlaps an area of ​​a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor elements.

[0037] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments may be combined with each other regardless of the aspect to which they relate. Thus, the method may be combined with structural features of the devices of other aspects, and similarly, the devices of the first, second and third aspects may be combined with features of each other and with features described above in relation to the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0038] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0039] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a sensor device according to one embodiment.

[0041] [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a sensor device according to one embodiment.

[0042] [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sensor device and a sole device according to one embodiment.

[0043] [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sensor device, a sole device, and a detection system according to one embodiment.

[0044] [Figure 5] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sensor device, a sole device, and a detection system according to one embodiment.

[0045] [Figure 6] A method according to one embodiment is illustrated in a flowchart. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] 1 illustrates a perspective top view of a sensor device 100, sometimes referred to as a sensor array, configured to detect forces between a foot and a support surface, according to an exemplary embodiment. The forces measured are sometimes referred to as ground reaction forces.

[0047] The sensor device 100 comprises a carrier 110. The carrier 110 may be a foil or a laminate.

[0048] Furthermore, the sensor device 100 includes a plurality of foil-like sensor elements 120 arranged as individual elements in at least a substantially common plane defined by the carrier 110. The plurality of sensor elements 120 may be FSR sensors or other devices of at least one of foils, conductive elements, non-conductive elements, and semiconductor elements configured to measure compressive force. The number of sensor elements 120 is between 2 and 30, or between 3 and 30, preferably between 13 and 18, and most preferably 15 or 16. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the number of sensor elements 120 is 16. According to FIG. 1, the sensor elements 120 are arranged to be distributed throughout the plane defined by the carrier 110.

[0049] The sensor device 100 further includes a plurality of pad elements 130. The number of pad elements 130 corresponds to the number of sensor elements 120. Therefore, the number of pad elements 130 is between 2 and 30, or between 3 and 30, preferably between 13 and 18, and most preferably 15 or 16. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the number of pad elements 130 is 16. Furthermore, the plurality of pad elements 130 are arranged as individual elements such that the area of ​​each one of the plurality of pad elements at least partially overlaps the area of ​​a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor elements. In other words, exactly one of the plurality of pad elements 130 is assigned to exactly one of the plurality of sensor elements 120. According to FIG. 1 , each of the plurality of sensor elements 120, together with its assigned one of the plurality of pad elements 130, is arranged independently of the other elements of the plurality of sensor elements 120 and their assigned pad elements 130. Therefore, there is space around the individual pad elements 130 for laying wires or traces (not shown). The material of the plurality of padding elements 130 has at least elastic or rubber-elastic properties. Preferably, the material of the plurality of padding elements has a Shore A hardness in the range of 10 to 60, preferably in the range of 20 to 50, more preferably in the range of 25 to 45, even more preferably in the range of 30 to 40, and most preferably 35.

[0050] 1, the plurality of sensor elements 120 and the plurality of pad elements 130 are arranged one above the other. Preferably, the surface areas of each of the plurality of pad elements 130 and each of the sensor elements 120 facing each other match or are at least approximately the same size.

[0051] Preferably, the plurality of pad elements 130 and the plurality of sensor elements 120 are attached to one another at least partially and / or at each section. A suitable locking device may be provided, for example, material locking by using adhesive or the like, or shape locking.

[0052] According to FIG. 1, each one of the plurality of pad elements 130 is affixed to at least one of the surface of the carrier facing the support surface and a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor elements.

[0053] 2 shows a perspective bottom view of a further exemplary embodiment of the sensor device 100. Accordingly, at least one of the plurality of sensor elements 120 and the plurality of pad elements 130 may be surrounded by a boundary 140, the thickness of which is equal to or less than the thickness of the plurality of pad elements 130 in the direction of the force applied to the sensor element 120. The material of the boundary 140 may be the same as or have at least similar material properties as the plurality of pad elements 130. Furthermore, the material of the plurality of pad elements 130, having at least elastic or rubber-elastic properties, has a Shore A hardness in the range of 10 to 60, preferably in the range of 20 to 50, more preferably in the range of 25 to 45, even more preferably in the range of 30 to 40, and most preferably 35.

[0054] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sensor device 100 according to one or more of the above-described embodiments. According to the illustration, the sensor device 100 is part of a sole device 10. Thus, a sole device 1 configured for use in a shoe includes the sensor device 100 and at least one sole element 200, 300. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the first sole element 200 comprises or forms a cover sole, i.e., an upper sole, and is positioned to float relative to the sensor device 100. Furthermore, the sole element 200 may be made of a material with a higher Shore A hardness than the material of the padding elements 130 of the sensor device 100. Furthermore, the second sole element 300 comprises or forms an insole, i.e., a lower sole. The second sole element 300 may be made of a material with a higher Shore A hardness than the material of the padding elements 130 of the sensor device 100.

[0055] 3, a force F may be applied in the direction indicated by the arrow, in which an area of ​​each one of the pad elements 130 at least partially overlaps an area of ​​a corresponding one of the sensor elements 120. Furthermore, the pad elements 130 and the sensor elements 120 are arranged one above the other. The first sole element 200, i.e., the cover sole, is arranged on the sensor device 100, i.e., floating above it. The second sole element 300 holds and / or supports the pad elements 130 and is therefore arranged below the sensor device 100.

[0056] 3 further shows a power supply device 400 connected to the sensor device 100 and an evaluation circuit 500 connected to the sensor device 100. The evaluation circuit 500 is configured to evaluate the signals of the plurality of sensor elements 120.

[0057] 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a sensor device 100 according to one or more of the above-described embodiments. According to the figure, the sensor device 100 is part of a sole device 10 and / or a detection system 1 for detecting forces between a foot and a support surface. The detection system 1 comprises a shoe 600 and a sole device 10, which in turn comprises the sensor device 100. Furthermore, the detection system 1 comprises a power supply device 400 and an evaluation circuit 500. According to FIG. 4, the power supply device 400 and the evaluation circuit 500 are housed in a recess in at least one sole element material of the shoe 600 and / or the sole device.

[0058] 4, at least some or all of the pad elements 130 are attached to a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor elements 120, as indicated by reference character A in FIG. 4. The attachment may be by material locking, such as by using an adhesive. Alternatively or additionally, the attachment may be by form locking, in which each one of the pad elements 130 may have a protrusion and the corresponding one of the sensor elements 120 may have a material recess.

[0059] Figure 5 shows in cross section a sensor device 100 according to one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments, in particular a detection system 1 according to Figure 4. According to Figure 5, the first sole element 200, i.e. the cover sole, may be attached to the shoe 600, preferably to the side wall of the shoe 600, or may be attached by means of a material lock, for example by using an adhesive or the like. The sensor device 100 or the sensor element 120 may be attached and / or fixed to the shoe 600, preferably to a side wall of the shoe 600, by a material recess of the shoe 600. Such attachment or fixation is indicated by reference character B in Fig. 5. By being in close contact with or attached or fixed to the shoe 600 or its side wall, the sensor device 100 or the sensor element 120 may be protected, for example, from dirt. Furthermore, the power supply device 400 or the evaluation circuit 500 is arranged in a material recess of the shoe 600.

[0060] Functionally, the evaluation circuit 500 can be configured to operate as a weight scale by calculating the sum of the forces detected through the multiple sensor elements 120 of the sensor device 100. The calculation may include adding together the individual forces of the multiple sensor elements 120.

[0061] 6 shows a flowchart of a method for providing a sensor device 100 according to any one of the above-described embodiments. The method includes, in a first step S1, arranging a plurality of foil-like sensor elements 120 as individual elements in at least a substantially common plane formed by the carrier 110. The method further includes, in a second step S2, arranging a plurality of pad elements 130, the number of which corresponds to the number of sensor elements 120, such that an area of ​​each one of the plurality of pad elements 130 at least partially overlaps an area of ​​a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor elements 120.

[0062] It should be noted that embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to various subject matters. Specifically, some embodiments are described with reference to method-type claims, and other embodiments are described with reference to device-type claims. However, a person skilled in the art would infer from the preceding and following descriptions that, unless otherwise specified, any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter, as well as any combination of features relating to different subject matters, is considered to be disclosed by the present application. However, combining all features can produce synergistic effects that are greater than the simple sum of the features.

Claims

1. A sensor device (100) for detecting a force between a foot and a support surface, comprising: a plurality of sensor elements (120), each in the form of a foil, arranged as individual elements in at least a common plane formed by the carrier (110); a plurality of pad elements (130), the number of which corresponds to the number of the sensor elements (120), the pad elements (130) being arranged as individual elements such that an area area of ​​each of the plurality of pad elements (130) at least partially overlaps an area area of ​​a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor elements (120); Each of the plurality of pad elements (130) is attached to a surface of the carrier (110) facing the support surface, A sensor device (100) in which the pad element (130) only contacts the flat surface of the associated sensor element.

2. 2. The sensor device (100) of claim 1, wherein exactly one of the plurality of pad elements is assigned to exactly one of the plurality of sensor elements.

3. 3. A sensor device (100) as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of sensor elements, together with an assigned one of the plurality of pad elements, is arranged so as to be independent of the other elements of the plurality of sensor elements and their assigned pad elements.

4. 4. The sensor device (100) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pad elements and the plurality of sensor elements are attached to each other at least partially and / or at each section.

5. The sensor device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the material of the plurality of pad elements (130) has at least elastic or rubber-elastic properties.

6. The sensor device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the material of the plurality of pad elements (130) has a Shore A hardness in the range of 10 to 60.

7. 7. A sensor device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the number of the plurality of sensor elements (120) and the number of the plurality of pad elements (130) is between 3 and 30.

8. The sensor device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the carrier (110) is formed by at least one foil.

9. A sole device (10) for a shoe, comprising: a sensor device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and at least one sole element (200, 300), wherein the sensor device (100) and the at least one sole element (200, 300) are arranged so as to float relative to each other.

10. 10. The sole device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one sole element (200) comprises a cover sole, the cover sole being arranged to float relative to the sensor device (100) and being made of a material having a higher Shore A hardness than a material of a plurality of pad elements (130) of the sensor device (100).

11. 11. The sole device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the at least one sole element (300) comprises an insole, the insole being made from a material having a higher Shore A hardness than a material of the pad elements of the sensor device.

12. A detection system (1) for detecting forces between a foot and a support surface, comprising: Shoes (600) and A sole device (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising a sensor device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a power supply device (400) connected to the sensor device (100); an evaluation circuit (500) connected to the sensor device (100); Equipped with The detection system (1), wherein the power supply device (400) and the evaluation circuit (500) are housed in a material recess of at least one sole element of at least one of the shoe (600) and the sole device (10).

13. 13. The detection system of claim 12, wherein the evaluation circuit (500) is configured to operate as a weight scale by calculating the sum of forces detected through a plurality of sensor elements (120) of the sensor device (100).

14. 1. A method for providing a sensor device (100), the sensor device (100) being configured to detect forces between a foot and a support surface, the method comprising: Arranging (S1) a plurality of sensor elements (120), each in foil form, as individual elements in at least a common plane formed by a carrier (110); Arranging (S2) a plurality of pad elements (130), the number of which corresponds to the number of the sensor elements (120), as individual elements such that an area of ​​each of the plurality of pad elements (130) at least partially overlaps an area of ​​a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor elements (120); and attaching each one of the plurality of pad elements (130) to a surface of the carrier (110) facing the support surface; The method wherein said pad element (130) only contacts the flat surface of the associated sensor element.

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