Capacitive Footwear Sensor Calibration for Reliable Auto-Lacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized lacing systems for footwear face challenges such as high manufacturing costs, complexity, assembly difficulties, lack of serviceability, and fragile mechanical mechanisms, while premature activation of automated tightening mechanisms can detract from user experience.
Innovation Solution
A modular footwear platform with interchangeable motorized and non-motorized lacing engines, incorporating a capacitive foot presence sensor to accurately detect foot positioning and orientation, enabling reliable and automated lacing control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If motorized lacing systems are implemented in footwear, then automated tightening function is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sensing mechanisms with capacitive sensing technology. The capacitive sensor detects foot presence and positioning through electrical field changes rather than mechanical contact, eliminating complex mechanical components while achieving automated control. This substitution reduces manufacturing costs associated with precision mechanical parts while maintaining the automated tightening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensor serves multiple functions: detecting foot presence, determining foot positioning, and triggering lacing activation. By using a single sensor type for multiple detection purposes, the system reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby lowering manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining comprehensive automated control.
2Extent of automation
If motorized lacing systems with mechanical mechanisms are used, then automated tightening is achieved, but reliability decreases due to fragile mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates fragile mechanical sensing components by using capacitive sensing. The capacitive sensor has no moving parts or mechanical contact elements that could wear or fail, providing reliable detection of foot presence and positioning. This non-mechanical approach significantly improves system reliability while maintaining automated tightening functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensor automatically adapts to different foot positions and orientations without requiring mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The sensor self-calibrates by detecting changes in electrical field capacitance, eliminating the need for mechanical adjustment components that could fail. This self-adjusting capability enhances reliability while maintaining automated control.
3Extent of automation
If complex motorized lacing systems are implemented, then automated tightening function is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary mechanical components from the lacing system by using capacitive sensing. Only the essential elements (capacitive sensor, control circuit, and motor) are retained, removing complex mechanical linkages, switches, and adjustment mechanisms. This extraction simplifies the overall system while preserving automated tightening functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing mechanical sensing and control mechanisms with capacitive sensing and electronic control, the patent reduces device complexity. The capacitive sensor provides direct electrical signals for foot detection and positioning, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transducers and linkages, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Measurement precision
If traditional sensor assembly methods are used, then sensor functionality is achieved, but assembly difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the capacitive sensor directly into the footwear structure, combining the sensing function with existing footwear components such as the insole or upper material. This merging eliminates separate assembly steps for mounting discrete sensors, reducing assembly difficulty and cost while maintaining detection accuracy through direct contact with the foot.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensor is designed to serve multiple detection purposes (foot presence, positioning, and orientation) through a single integrated component. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of separate sensors and assembly operations required, simplifying manufacturing while achieving comprehensive foot detection capability.
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 provides a robust, cost-effective, and user-friendly footwear system with reliable lacing automation, reducing sensor complexity and assembly costs, and ensuring proper foot alignment before activating lacing mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor being a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body
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. A baseline or reference condition for the capacitive sensor can be updated to accommodate different use conditions.