Capacitive Insole Foot Sensing to Prevent Premature Auto-Lacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized lacing systems in footwear face challenges such as high cost, complexity, assembly difficulties, and fragile mechanical mechanisms, which hinder mass production and daily use, while also struggling to accurately determine foot presence and orientation for proper lacing activation.
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, ensuring proper foot alignment and tensioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If motorized lacing systems are implemented in footwear, then automated lacing function is achieved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing system is divided into modular components: a motorized spool unit, a ratchet mechanism, and a lace tensioning system. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, simplifying the overall system design and reducing complexity while maintaining automated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet mechanism provides automatic one-way locking of the lace tension without requiring active control or feedback systems. Once the motor tensions the lace, the ratchet maintains tension passively, eliminating the need for continuous power or complex control algorithms, thus reducing device complexity.
2Extent of automation
If complex motorized systems are used for automated lacing, then lacing automation is achieved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into discrete modular units (motor spool, ratchet, housing), each component can be manufactured and tested independently using standard manufacturing processes, significantly improving ease of manufacture and assembly compared to integrated complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing and control systems with simpler electronic components and passive mechanical elements like the ratchet mechanism, reducing the number of precision-machined parts and simplifying assembly procedures.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If traditional foot presence sensors are used, then foot detection is achieved, but measurement precision and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing modalities (capacitive sensors, pressure sensors, flex sensors) are merged into a unified foot presence detection system. This combination allows cross-validation of signals and improves measurement precision by compensating for the limitations of individual sensor types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor inputs and uses feedback algorithms to distinguish between genuine foot presence signals and false triggers (such as shoe deformation or ambient changes), thereby improving detection reliability and precision through adaptive thresholding and signal filtering.
4Measurement precision
If foot presence detection is not accurate, then premature lacing activation occurs, but user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses continuous feedback from multiple sensors to verify foot presence before activating the lacing mechanism. This feedback loop ensures that lacing only begins when the foot is properly positioned, preventing premature activation and improving user experience through reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of foot presence and orientation using sensor data before initiating the lacing sequence. This preliminary action ensures that all conditions are met for proper lacing activation, preventing premature operation and enhancing user experience.
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 solution enables reliable and efficient automated lacing, reduces sensor costs and complexity, and enhances user experience by accurately detecting foot presence and orientation, ensuring proper fitting and tensioning without premature activation.
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
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.