Modular Footwear Lacing Engine for Serviceable Auto-Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized lacing systems for footwear face challenges such as high cost, complexity, and poor serviceability, making them unsuitable for mass production and daily use, while non-motorized systems struggle to provide sufficient performance without compromising comfort.
Innovation Solution
A modular footwear platform with interchangeable motorized and non-motorized lacing engines, featuring a mid-sole plate design that allows for late assembly and integration of various lacing engines, including foot presence sensing and automated tightening mechanisms, to address the issues of cost, complexity, and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If motorized lacing systems are implemented in footwear, then automated tightening performance is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces motorized actuation with a purely mechanical reel-based lacing engine that uses a pawl-ratchet mechanism for one-way rotation and spring-loaded tension maintenance. This mechanical substitution eliminates motors, batteries, and electronic controls while achieving automated tightening through user-activated mechanical input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the motorized components from the lacing system, isolating only the essential mechanical elements (reel, pawl, ratchet, spring) needed for automated tightening. This extraction simplifies the system by removing complex electrical subsystems while retaining the core automated lacing function.
2Extent of automation
If motorized lacing systems are implemented in footwear, then automated tightening performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, easily manufactured mechanical components such as injection-molded plastic reels, stamped metal pawls and ratchets, and standard coil springs. These components are designed for cost-effective mass production and can be easily replaced if needed, significantly reducing manufacturing costs compared to motorized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing expensive motorized systems with simple mechanical components, the patent achieves automated tightening at a fraction of the cost, making the technology economically viable for mass-market footwear production.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional lacing systems are used in footwear, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but serviceability and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lacing system into modular components (reel assembly, pawl-ratchet mechanism, spring tensioner, lace guides) that can be independently manufactured, assembled, and replaced. This segmentation improves serviceability by allowing individual component replacement without replacing the entire lacing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the reel-based lacing engine as a universal platform that can be applied to various footwear types and lace configurations. The standardized interface and modular components enable easy adaptation and repair across different product lines, enhancing both serviceability and adaptability.
4Device complexity
If non-motorized lacing systems are used, then cost and complexity are reduced, but tightening performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring-loaded tensioning mechanism that periodically adjusts lace tension to maintain optimal tightness. The spring automatically cycles between winding and releasing phases, providing continuous periodic adjustment that compensates for foot movement and maintains consistent tightening performance without motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a spring-loaded tensioning system that provides mechanical feedback by automatically adjusting lace tension in response to foot movement and pressure changes. This passive feedback mechanism maintains optimal tightness without requiring electronic sensors or motorized control, achieving high tightening performance through simple mechanical feedback.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
In an example, a lacing engine apparatus can include a housing and a drivetrain. The housing can be securable within a footwear article. The drivetrain can include a motor, a sun gear, a planet gear, a rotating ring gear, and a spool. The spool can be secured to the ring gear and can be rotatable therewith. The spool can be configured to control a lace of the footwear article and can be configured to wind the lace as the ring gear rotates in a first direction.