Foot Presence Velocity Sensing for Automatic Footwear Lacing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized lacing systems in footwear face challenges such as high cost, complexity, assembly issues, lack of serviceability, and fragile mechanical mechanisms, which hinder mass production and daily use.
Innovation Solution
A modular footwear platform with a mid-sole plate that allows for interchangeable motorized and non-motorized lacing engines, incorporating a capacitive foot presence sensor for proper foot alignment and automatic lacing control, providing robust mechanical design, serviceable components, and retail-level customization.
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 independent modular components: a motorized lacing engine housed in a lacing engine enclosure, a separate mid-sole plate with sensor assembly, and interchangeable lacing units. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies assembly and manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The lacing engine enclosure serves multiple functions: it houses the motorized lacing mechanism, contains the foot presence sensor, and acts as a structural component of the footwear. The mid-sole plate similarly integrates structural support with sensor mounting functionality.
2Extent of automation
If motorized lacing systems are implemented in footwear, then automated lacing function is achieved, but manufacturing and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into pre-assembled modular units (lacing engine enclosure with sensor assembly, mid-sole plate) that can be manufactured separately and then easily integrated into the footwear, significantly simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot presence sensor automatically detects when the footwear is being worn and triggers the lacing engine to initiate automated lacing, eliminating the need for manual activation or complex control interfaces.
3Measurement precision
If foot presence sensor is added for alignment detection, then foot alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The foot presence sensor is integrated into the lacing engine enclosure, combining the alignment detection function with the existing motorized lacing structure. This eliminates the need for separate sensor housings and reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lacing engine enclosure serves as both the structural housing for the motorized lacing mechanism and the mounting platform for the foot presence sensor, eliminating the need for additional components and simplifying the overall device architecture.
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, cost-effective, and user-friendly automatic lacing systems with reduced sensor and assembly costs, ensuring proper foot alignment and comfortable fit through capacitive sensing, addressing the limitations of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor being 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, and the sensor is configured to sense changes in a foot proximity to the sensor in footwear. Information about the sensed proximity can be used to determine a foot velocity characteristic, which in turn can be used to update an automated footwear function, such as an automatic lacing function, or can be used to determine a step count, foot strike force, a rate of travel, or other information about a foot, about an activity, or about the footwear.