Hall Effect Sole Thickness Sensing Without Shoe Battery Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe degradation measurement technologies are cumbersome, inaccurate, and add weight or compromise comfort and safety due to power source integration and interference issues.
Innovation Solution
A shoe degradation sensor system using Hall effect sensors and magnets to measure sole thickness, powered by an external NFC-enabled device, eliminating the need for an internal power source and using NFC for data transfer, ensuring accuracy and lightweight design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an internal power source is integrated into the shoe for sensor operation, then the sensor system can function continuously, but the shoe becomes heavier and less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The power source function is extracted from the shoe system and relocated to an external NFC-enabled device. The shoe only contains the passive sensor components (Hall effect sensor and magnet), while power provision is externalized to the user's smartphone or similar device, eliminating the need for internal battery or power management circuitry in the shoe.
Solution Approach 2:
The NFC-enabled external device serves multiple functions: it provides wireless power to the sensor, receives measurement data, and enables communication. This multi-functional approach replaces what would otherwise require separate components (power source, data processor, communication module) within the shoe.
2Measurement precision
If traditional measuring equipment is used to measure sole thickness, then degradation can be detected, but the equipment is cumbersome and adds weight
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical measuring tools (calipers, thickness gauges) are replaced with a magnetic field-based Hall effect sensor system. The measurement is achieved through detecting magnetic field strength variations caused by changes in sole thickness, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact or complex positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures sole thickness indirectly by detecting changes in magnetic field parameters (field strength) rather than directly measuring physical dimensions. As the sole degrades and thinning occurs, the magnetic field strength detected by the Hall effect sensor changes, providing a proxy measurement of thickness degradation.
3Measurement precision
If Hall effect sensors are used to measure sole thickness, then accurate digital measurements are obtained, but the system requires power and data transfer capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC-enabled external device acts as an intermediary that bridges the passive sensor system in the shoe and the user's computing device. It receives power wirelessly, reads the Hall effect sensor data, and transfers it to the user's smartphone or computer, eliminating the need for complex wired connections or integrated power management in the shoe.
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
Provides accurate, lightweight, and comfortable shoe degradation monitoring by measuring sole thickness and absorption, reducing the risk of injury by alerting users when protection is compromised.
Implementation Method 1
at least one Hall effect sensor positioned adjacent a first surface of a sole of a shoe; At least one magnet positioned adjacent a second surface of the sole of the shoe
Data Source
AI summary
In various examples there is an apparatus for measuring shoe degradation, comprising at least one Hall effect sensor positioned adjacent a first surface of a sole of a shoe. At least one magnet positioned adjacent a second surface of the sole of the shoe; and a communications assembly in electronic communication with the or each Hall effect sensor via a conductive connector. The communications assembly is operable to transfer data from the Hall effect sensor to an external device.