Automatic Lacing System with Motorized Reel and Wireless Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoes lack an efficient automatic lacing system that can be easily adjusted, particularly for users who have difficulty tying shoes or require customizable lacing in different situations.
Innovation Solution
The development of an article of footwear with an automatic lacing system that includes a housing with a swipe panel, a sole structure with a battery, and a control PCB with a wireless communication module, allowing for incremental tightening or loosening of laces via a graphical user interface on a portable electronic device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an automatic lacing system is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional manual mechanical lacing system with an automated electromechanical system. A motorized reel mechanism, controlled by a microcontroller and actuated by a motor, automatically winds and unwinds the laces through electronic control signals received from a mobile device, eliminating the need for manual tying and untangling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the lacing system. The mobile device communicates with the shoe via wireless transmission, allowing users to control lacing adjustments remotely through a graphical user interface, thereby simplifying the interaction required from the user while managing the complexity of the automated system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customizable lacing settings are added, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability by allowing the lacing system to change its configuration in real-time based on user input. The microcontroller receives commands from the mobile device to adjust tension levels, lace positioning, and tightening patterns, enabling the system to adapt to different foot shapes, activities, and user preferences dynamically during wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the mobile device displays the current lacing state and receives user input for desired adjustments. The microcontroller processes these feedback signals and automatically implements the corresponding lacing modifications, creating a closed-loop control system that enhances adaptability while managing complexity through intuitive user interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
A footwear assembly includes at least one article of footwear with an upper, a sole structure coupled with the upper, a housing that houses a motor, a gear train that is configured to be driven by the motor, and a spool that is configured to loosen or tighten a first lace, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are disposed under a cover of the housing, and a control printed circuit board (PCB) having a wireless communication module. The footwear assembly further includes an electronic device wirelessly coupled with the wireless communication module. The first lace can be incrementally tightened or loosened by tapping a region of the at least one article of footwear to initiate a tighten command or a loosen command.