Insole Foot Presence Sensing to Prevent Premature Auto-Lacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized lacing systems for footwear face challenges such as high cost, complexity, assembly difficulties, and fragile mechanical mechanisms, which hinder mass production and daily use, while also requiring accurate detection of foot presence and orientation to prevent premature activation of the lacing mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A modular footwear platform with a capacitive foot presence sensor integrated into the arch or heel region, which uses changes in capacitance to detect foot presence and orientation, allowing for interchangeable lacing engines and providing reliable, serviceable, and customizable automated lacing systems with visual and tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing motorized lacing systems are implemented, then automated lacing function is achieved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing systems with capacitive sensing technology. The capacitive sensor detects foot presence and orientation through electrical field changes rather than mechanical contact, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining automated functionality. The spool mechanism driven by a simple motor unit replaces complex multi-component motorized lacing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of foot detection from complex mechanical sensor assemblies and implements it through a simplified capacitive sensing system. By taking out only the necessary sensing capability and implementing it through electrical rather than mechanical means, the system achieves automation with reduced complexity.
2Extent of automation
If existing motorized lacing systems are implemented, then automated lacing function is achieved, but manufacturing and assembly difficulties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lacing system into modular components: a capacitive sensor array integrated into the insole, a separate motor unit with spool mechanism, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled together, significantly improving ease of manufacture and assembly compared to integrated motorized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing mechanical sensing components with capacitive sensors that can be printed or embedded into the insole material, the patent eliminates complex mechanical assembly steps. The capacitive sensor array can be manufactured using standard PCB or flexible circuit techniques, greatly simplifying the manufacturing process.
3Extent of automation
If existing motorized lacing systems are implemented, then automated lacing function is achieved, but mechanical fragility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fragile mechanical sensors with solid-state capacitive sensors that have no moving parts, eliminating a major source of mechanical failure. The capacitive sensing system is inherently more durable as it relies on electrical field detection rather than mechanical contact or movement, significantly improving reliability for daily use.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensor system automatically adapts to different foot positions and orientations without requiring mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The system self-calibrates by detecting capacitance changes, eliminating the need for fragile mechanical adjustment components that would reduce reliability.
4Device complexity
If capacitive foot presence sensor is used, then sensor cost and complexity are reduced, but foot presence detection accuracy must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the capacitive sensing system into multiple discrete sensor elements arranged in an array across the insole. By segmenting the sensing area into multiple zones, the system can detect not only foot presence but also foot orientation and position with high accuracy. Each sensor element provides localized capacitance data that, when combined, creates a detailed map of foot placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensor array serves multiple functions simultaneously: detecting foot presence, determining foot orientation, and monitoring foot position. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single sensor technology platform, maintaining measurement precision while reducing overall system complexity compared to using separate sensors for each function.
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 and efficient automated lacing with reduced sensor costs and complexity, ensuring proper foot alignment and orientation detection, enhancing user experience by preventing premature activation and allowing for customizable and robust motorized lacing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor system includes a capacitive or magnetic sensor configured to sense changes in a body's proximity to the sensor in footwear
Implementation Method 2
the sensor system includes a capacitive or magnetic sensor configured to sense changes in a body's proximity to the sensor in footwear
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 or magnetic sensor configured to sense changes in a body's proximity to the sensor in footwear. Characteristics of the sensed proximity 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 or about the footwear.