Capacitive Insole Foot Sensing for Reliable Auto-Lacing Activation
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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 lacking effective foot presence and orientation sensing for proper lacing activation.
Innovation Solution
A modular footwear platform with a capacitive foot presence sensor integrated into the arch or heel region, allowing for interchangeable lacing engines and providing reliable, serviceable, and customizable automated lacing systems with tactile and visual feedback, ensuring proper foot alignment and tensioning.
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 device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing system is divided into modular components: a motorized spool unit, a ratchet mechanism, and a lace tensioning system. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, simplifying the overall system design and reducing complexity while maintaining automated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet mechanism provides automatic one-way locking of the lace tension without requiring active control or feedback systems. Once the motor tensions the lace, the ratchet maintains tension passively, eliminating the need for continuous power or complex control algorithms, thus reducing device complexity.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If traditional foot presence sensors are used, then foot detection is achieved, but sensor cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional complex electronic sensors are replaced with a simple capacitive sensing mechanism that detects foot presence through changes in electrical capacitance caused by the proximity of the foot. This substitution dramatically reduces sensor complexity and cost while maintaining reliable detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects foot presence by monitoring changes in electrical parameters (capacitance) rather than using complex mechanical or optical sensors. This parameter-based approach simplifies the sensing mechanism and reduces overall system complexity.
3Extent of automation
If complex motorized systems are integrated, then lacing automation is achieved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized lacing system is designed as a separate, self-contained module that can be manufactured independently and then integrated into the footwear. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of the motorized component using automated processes, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining automation functionality.
4Measurement precision
If precise foot orientation sensing is implemented, then proper lacing activation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing a full 3D orientation sensing system, the patent uses localized capacitive sensors positioned at specific locations (heel and toe) to detect foot presence. This localized approach provides sufficient information for proper lacing activation without the complexity of comprehensive orientation sensing.
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 modular platform enables reliable and customizable automated lacing with reduced sensor costs and complexity, ensuring proper foot alignment and tensioning, enhancing user experience and durability.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor system includes 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 configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.