Capacitive Foot Presence Sensing for Automated Lacing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized lacing systems for footwear face challenges such as high cost, complexity, assembly difficulties, and fragile mechanical mechanisms, which hinder mass production and daily use, while also requiring accurate foot presence and orientation sensing to prevent premature activation of tightening mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A modular footwear platform with a capacitive foot presence sensor integrated into the arch or heel region, allowing for interchangeable lacing engines and providing reliable, serviceable, and customizable automated lacing systems with tactile and visual feedback, using a capacitive sensor to detect foot presence and orientation without moving parts, ensuring proper foot alignment before tightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If motorized lacing systems are implemented, then automated tightening function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pressure sensors with capacitive sensing technology that uses electrical fields to detect foot presence and orientation. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical moving parts while achieving the same automated tightening function, directly resolving the contradiction between automation and mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a capacitive sensor as an intermediary between the foot and the motorized lacing system. This sensor detects foot presence and orientation through electrical field changes without requiring direct mechanical contact or complex mechanical structures, enabling automated control while simplifying the overall system architecture
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If traditional pressure sensors are used, then foot presence detection is achieved, but sensor cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure sensors with capacitive sensors that detect foot presence through changes in electrical field capacitance. This eliminates mechanical components in the sensor itself, reducing sensor complexity and cost while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical pressure to electrical capacitance. By measuring capacitance changes in the electrical field rather than mechanical force, the system achieves foot presence detection with simpler, less expensive sensors that have no moving parts
3Reliability
If foot presence sensing is added, then premature activation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the capacitive sensing area into multiple zones (e.g., heel zone, midfoot zone, forefoot zone) that can independently detect foot presence. By segmenting the sensing area, the system achieves reliable activation control through simple capacitive threshold comparisons in each zone, avoiding the need for complex integrated sensing mechanisms
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
The modular platform enables reliable and efficient automated lacing with reduced sensor costs and complexity, ensuring proper foot alignment and preventing premature activation, while being robust, serviceable, and customizable for various foot types.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body
Implementation Method 2
A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.