Foil Sensor Pad Segmentation for Shoe Force Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor arrangements embedded in shoe foam face mechanical stress and non-linear sensor characteristics, requiring complex calibration and compensation, which affects the accuracy of force measurement during gait analysis.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement featuring foil-based sensor elements with individually arranged pad elements, where each pad element covers only one side of a sensor element, reducing mechanical stress and allowing direct force detection, and utilizing force sensing resistor technology to generate accurate force measurement signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sensor elements are embedded in foam, then the sensor arrangement can be integrated into the shoe, but mechanical stress and non-linear sensor characteristics occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangement is segmented into multiple individually arranged sensor elements, each surrounded by its own pad element. This segmentation allows each sensor element to be independently protected and positioned, reducing the mechanical stress transmitted from the foam to the sensor elements while maintaining integration into the shoe structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Pad elements are introduced as intermediary components between the foam and the sensor elements. These pad elements act as mediators that protect the sensor elements from direct contact with the foam, reducing mechanical stress and shear forces while still allowing force transmission to the sensor elements for accurate measurement.
2Ease of manufacture
If sensor elements are embedded in foam, then the sensor arrangement can be integrated into the shoe, but complex calibration and compensation are required
Solution Approach 1:
The pad elements serve as intermediaries that simplify the relationship between the foam and sensor elements. By providing a consistent, known interface between the foam and sensors, the pad elements reduce the need for complex calibration and compensation procedures, making the system easier to manufacture and use while maintaining integration.
3Reliability
If pad elements completely surround sensor elements, then mechanical stress is reduced, but force detection accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pad elements are designed with local quality - they provide protection and stress reduction in specific areas around the sensor elements while leaving the top surface exposed for direct force contact. This localized approach allows the pad elements to protect the sensors from lateral stresses while maintaining accurate force detection capability through the exposed sensor surfaces.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple sensor elements are embedded in foam simultaneously, then the sensor arrangement can cover larger areas, but mechanical stress and non-linearity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangement is divided into multiple individually arranged sensor elements, each with its own pad element. This segmentation allows the system to cover larger areas while distributing the mechanical stress across multiple independent units, preventing the non-linear effects from propagating between sensor elements and maintaining reliability across the entire measurement area.
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 enhances durability and accuracy of force measurement by minimizing mechanical stress and non-linear signal issues, enabling more precise detection of ground reaction forces during gait analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the foil-based sensor element may utilize a force sensing resistor (FSR) technology, or any other kind of a layer arrangement of foils and conductive and/or semi conductive materials, and may be configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of a force generated when a foot strikes a floor surface
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor arrangement is provided for detecting a force between a foot and a supporting surface. The sensor arrangement has an improved durability while allowing an accurate measurement of the force. The sensor arrangement includes a plurality of foil-based sensor elements arranged as individual elements in an at least substantially common plane formed by a carrier and a plurality of pad elements, wherein a number of the plurality pad elements corresponds to a number of the plurality of sensor elements, and which are arranged as individual elements in a manner that an area extension of a respective one of the plurality of pad elements at least partly overlaps with an area extension of a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor elements.