Elastic Tensioner for Automated Footwear Lacing Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current footwear lacing systems, especially those with motorized engines, struggle to provide consistent fit and comfort due to diminished tactile feedback and uneven tightening, which complicates conforming to the shape of the foot.
Innovation Solution
A modular footwear platform with a lacing architecture that incorporates lace guides and elastic members to smooth out torque versus lace displacement curves, allowing for centralized lace tightening and enhanced comfort by manipulating lace tension in both medial-lateral and anterior-posterior directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motorized lacing engine is used to tighten the upper, then the ease of operation is improved, but the tactile feedback and fit consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic member is introduced as an intermediary between the motorized lacing engine and the footwear upper. This elastic member transmits the tightening force while allowing for gradual tension distribution, providing tactile feedback to the wearer's foot and improving fit consistency without requiring manual lacing adjustment.
2Productivity
If a motorized lacing engine is used to tighten the upper, then the productivity is improved, but the fit uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member acts as a mediator that smooths out the torque versus lace displacement curve, distributing the tightening force more uniformly across the footwear upper. This eliminates the uneven tightening characteristic of direct motorized lacing systems while maintaining the automated productivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member changes the mechanical parameters of the lacing system by introducing elasticity between the motorized engine and the upper. This transforms the direct, potentially uneven force application into a more gradual and uniform tension distribution, improving fit uniformity while maintaining automated operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lace cable is routed through multiple lace guides, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lace guides are designed as universal routing components that can accommodate different lace cable configurations and positions. This multi-functional design allows the same basic guide structure to adapt to various lacing patterns and engine positions, providing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 improved fit and comfort by ensuring consistent lace tension across a greater lace travel distance, reducing pressure on the foot and maintaining performance while allowing for adjustable fit through interchangeable lacing engines.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member extending between first and second lace guides of the plurality of lace guides
Data Source
AI summary
A footwear assembly can comprise, an upper, a lace cable, a plurality of lace guides and a tensioner. The tensioner can comprise an elastic member extending between two lace guides of the plurality of lace guides, an elastic member extending between first and second portions of the upper, an elastic member extending between a portion of the upper and a lace guide of the plurality of lace guides, a heel channel connected to a heel portion of the upper and configured to facilitate access to an interior space, an elastic member coupled to the footwear assembly that functions to smooth out a torque versus lace displacement curve during tightening of the lace cable.