Adjustable Foil Conductor for Sensor Integration in Ski Boots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports shoes, particularly ski boots, face challenges in implementing pressure-sensitive sensor systems that are both cost-effective and reliable for series production while providing comprehensive data analysis, as they often require complex electrical line connections that are difficult to manufacture and adapt to different shoe sizes and sole lengths.
Innovation Solution
The use of a multi-pole foil conductor track system that allows for adjustable and flexible electrical connections between sensors, enabling efficient production and adaptation to various shoe sizes, with a design that minimizes line interruptions and ensures robustness, comfort, and ease of integration, using a Z-shaped fold for length and direction adjustments and a compensation section to prevent overstressing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual cable connections are used between sensors and processing device, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual cable connections between sensors and the processing device are merged into a single integrated foil conductor track that runs through the shoe, eliminating the need for separate cable management and reducing manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional flexible cable connections are replaced with a printed foil conductor track system that is integrated into the shoe's insole or upper material, substituting mechanical cable assembly with a more manufacturable printed circuit approach
2Reliability
If fixed-length cable connections are used, then electrical connection is established, but adaptability to different shoe sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The foil conductor track is designed with variable geometric patterns including serpentine sections and adjustable loop configurations that allow the electrical connection length to dynamically adapt to different shoe sizes and sensor positions while maintaining connection integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the foil conductor track, particularly the loop dimensions and path length, are made variable to accommodate different sensor distances from the processing device across multiple shoe sizes, enabling a single design to serve multiple applications
3Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned optimally for data collection, then measurement quality improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into modular components with the foil conductor track serving as a flexible connection medium that can accommodate variations in sensor positioning, allowing optimal measurement locations to be selected without strict manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable foil conductor track acts as an intermediary element between the processing device and sensors, compensating for positioning variations and enabling optimal sensor placement for data collection while maintaining reliable electrical connections
4Loss of information
If comprehensive sensor arrays are implemented, then data analysis capabilities improve, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foil conductor track system is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various sensor types and configurations across different shoe models, enabling comprehensive data collection capabilities while using standardized manufacturing processes that control costs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables cost-optimized series production of sports shoes with comprehensive data analysis capabilities, ensuring reliable and long-term functional performance by allowing optimal sensor placement and adaptability, maintaining comfort and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressure- or force-sensitive sensor (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) for the detection of mechanical pressure or force applied to the sports shoe (1)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a sports shoe (1) with a lower shoe section (27) designed to accommodate the foot of a user and an upper shoe section (28) designed to accommodate the lower leg section of that user. At least one first sensor (9a) in a forefoot section (31) of the sole assembly (30) is connected to at least one second sensor (9b) in a heel section (32) of the sole assembly (30) via a multi-pole foil conductor (34a), wherein the multi-pole foil conductor (34a) is designed to be length-adjustable as required, so that a distance (35a) between the at least one first sensor (9a) and the at least one second sensor (9b) can be adapted to different sole lengths (36) during the manufacture of the sports shoe (1).A similar arrangement can be provided for at least one third or fourth sensor (9c, 9d) in the upper shoe section (28) and the at least one first or second sensor (9a, 9b) on the sole arrangement (30) of the sports shoe (1), so that during the manufacture of the sports shoe (1) an adaptation to upper shoe sections (28) with model-dependent different height dimensions (37) is made possible.