Capacitive Foot Presence Sensing for Automated Footwear Lacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized lacing systems for footwear face challenges such as high cost of manufacture, complexity, assembly difficulties, lack of serviceability, and fragile mechanical mechanisms, while premature activation of automated tightening mechanisms can hinder foot insertion.
Innovation Solution
A modular footwear platform with a mid-sole plate that accommodates interchangeable motorized and non-motorized lacing engines, incorporating a foot presence sensor to detect proper foot seating and orientation, using electric fields to sense capacitance changes for reliable activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If motorized lacing systems are implemented, then automated tightening function is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized lacing system is divided into separate functional modules: a motor unit housed in a motorized lacing unit, a separate lacing mechanism with tensioning members, and an independent sensor system. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies assembly and manufacturing processes while maintaining automated functionality.
2Reliability
If foot presence sensor is added, then premature activation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foot presence detection functionality is merged with the existing motorized lacing unit housing. The sensor system is integrated into the same structural component that houses the motor, eliminating the need for separate sensor housings and reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliable foot presence detection before activation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular platform is used, then customization and serviceability are improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A universal mid-sole plate design is implemented that can accommodate different motorized lacing units and sensor configurations through standardized mounting interfaces. This universal platform allows various lacing mechanisms and sensor types to be interchangeably mounted, enabling customization while simplifying assembly through consistent attachment procedures across different configurations.
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
Enables robust, cost-effective, and customizable footwear lacing systems with reliable foot presence detection, ensuring proper foot alignment and reducing sensor complexity and assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
A foot presence sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, can be used to detect proper foot seating and orientation
Implementation Method 2
using electric fields to sense capacitance changes for reliable activation
Data Source
AI summary
Active footwear can include a system to automatically detect a presence or absence of a foot. In an example, the system can be configured to provide information about a liquid saturation level that can affect a sensitivity or performance of the foot presence sensor. The system can use time-multiplexed signals to excite respective different electrodes in a foot presence sensor, and the electrodes can generate respective electric fields inside the footwear. Interruptions in the fields can be detected and used to determine foot presence or absence or a liquid saturation level.