Footwear Upper Tile Support With Sensor-Driven Stiffness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing athletic shoes lack the ability to dynamically adjust support and stability in response to the specific demands of various athletic or recreational activities, providing inconsistent protection and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic support system in footwear that includes sensors, microprocessors, and reversible motors to control arrays of tiles in the upper, adjusting flexibility, support, and impact resistance based on input from sensors, either within the shoe or worn by the user, to provide targeted support and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional athletic shoes use fixed support structures, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the shoes cannot dynamically adjust to different athletic activities or provide targeted support where needed
Solution Approach 1:
The upper is divided into multiple regions with different levels of support and flexibility, each controlled by independent actuators. This segmentation allows targeted adjustment of specific areas (e.g., toe region, midfoot, heel) without affecting the entire shoe, resolving the contradiction by enabling localized dynamic support while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular control.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoe incorporates actuators that can dynamically change the mechanical properties (stiffness, flexibility, support) of different upper regions in real-time based on sensor feedback and user needs. This dynamic capability allows the shoe to adapt to various athletic activities and provide targeted support where required, overcoming the limitation of fixed support structures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the upper uses rigid materials for support, then stability and protection are improved, but flexibility and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The upper incorporates regions with adjustable mechanical properties that can transition between rigid and flexible states. During athletic activities requiring stability (e.g., cutting, landing), the actuators stiffen specific regions to provide support and protection. During phases requiring flexibility (e.g., toe-off, natural foot movement), the same regions become more compliant. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing both stability and flexibility at different times and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the upper have different baseline mechanical properties and adjustment ranges. The toe region may be more flexible with smaller adjustment ranges, while the heel and midfoot regions have higher baseline stiffness with larger adjustment capabilities. This localized differentiation allows each region to optimize its properties for specific functional requirements, resolving the contradiction between stability and flexibility on a regional basis.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors and actuators are added to provide dynamic support, then adaptability and performance are improved, but weight and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic support system is divided into multiple independent modules, each with its own sensor and actuator. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the specific regions needed for each athletic activity, rather than engaging the entire shoe. For example, during a jump, only the heel and midfoot regions may require support, while the toe region remains passive. This selective activation minimizes the effective weight and energy consumption while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses lightweight materials and miniaturized components to reduce the weight penalty of adding sensors and actuators. Additionally, the control algorithm optimizes actuator activation by predicting when support is needed based on gait phase and activity type, reducing unnecessary energy consumption. The actuators use efficient motor designs that provide high torque-to-weight ratios, minimizing the weight added while maximizing the dynamic support capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear with a dynamic support system that controls arrays of tiles in the upper of the footwear to adjust the level of support provided in different regions of the upper. Sensors in the sole of the footwear, in the upper of the footwear and/or in an article worn by the wearer of the footwear measure the level of stress or other characteristics and provide input to one or more microprocessors that control motors located in the sole or in the upper of the footwear. When the motors are activated, they may compress or loosen arrays of tiles to adjust the stiffness of the upper in one or more regions of the upper.