Wireless Charging Pods for Sensorized Insoles With Thickness Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensorized insoles require cumbersome charging methods that are not user-friendly, especially for those with limited dexterity or mobility, and do not efficiently adapt to custom insole thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
A wireless charging assembly that includes transmitter and receiver pods with magnetically coupled coils, capable of detecting and adjusting to the thickness of custom insoles, allowing for wireless energy transfer without the need for removal from shoes and accommodating varying insole thicknesses by emitting an electromagnetic field tuned to the specific spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless charging is implemented for sensorized insoles, then charging convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless charging receiver is nested within the insole bulk, with the receiver coil positioned inside a receiver pod that is embedded in the insole. This nesting approach integrates the charging functionality seamlessly into the insole structure, improving convenience while managing complexity through hierarchical integration.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the transmitter pod and receiver pod, enabling wireless energy transfer through the insole bulk. The magnetic field serves as a mediator that transfers energy without direct electrical contact, simplifying the user interface while managing the underlying complexity through field-based interaction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wireless charging system adapts to custom insole thicknesses, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter pod includes a detector that measures the thickness of the insole bulk and provides feedback to adjust the electromagnetic field frequency. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to varying insole thicknesses by tuning the operating frequency to match the detected spacing, thereby achieving adaptability while managing measurement precision requirements through active adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameter (electromagnetic field frequency) based on the detected insole thickness. By adjusting the frequency to be tuned to the specific spacing detected, the system adapts to different insole configurations without requiring extremely precise fixed measurements, as the frequency can be dynamically adjusted to compensate for variations.
3Productivity
If the receiver pod is spaced from the foot-facing surface, then charging efficiency is improved, but insole structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver pod is nested within the insole bulk with the receiver coil positioned inside, spaced from the foot-facing upper surface by a first spacing. This nesting structure allows the charging components to be integrated into the insole while maintaining the necessary spacing for efficient electromagnetic coupling, achieving charging efficiency without excessive structural complexity through organized integration.
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
Enables easy, efficient, and adaptable charging of sensorized insoles, reducing peak emissions and accommodating custom insole thicknesses, thus improving user convenience and charging efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first wireless charging transmitter pod electrically connected to the first cable for receiving energy from the first cable and for wirelessly transmitting energy to the first wireless charging receiver pod
Implementation Method 2
transmitter and receiver pods with magnetically coupled coils
Data Source
AI summary
A footwear system includes a sensorized insole and a charger. The sensorized insole has an insole bulk having a foot-facing upper surface. A sensor is embedded in the insole bulk for measuring a parameter of a user's foot, a battery is embedded in the insole bulk for providing energy to the sensor, and a receiver pod is embedded in the insole bulk and is spaced from the foot-facing upper surface for wirelessly receiving energy and providing energy to the battery. The charger provides energy to the receiver pod, and includes a cable for connecting to an energy source, and a transmitter pod electrically connected to the cable for receiving energy from the cable and wirelessly transmitting energy to the receiver pod. The transmitter pod is positionable against the foot-facing upper surface to wirelessly provide energy to the receiver pod through the insole bulk.