Shoe Vibrator Control via Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoes with advanced functions, such as vibration and pressure sensing, lack effective control mechanisms to adjust vibration intensity based on measured pressure, leading to discomfort due to excessive or insufficient stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A shoe-type device incorporating a vibrator and pressure sensor with a controller that forms a vertical layer structure, where the pressure sensor overlaps the vibrator, allowing the controller to adjust vibration intensity based on measured pressure, ensuring the vibration intensity remains below sensory thresholds and varies accordingly with foot pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vibration intensity is increased to enhance user sensitivity, then stochastic resonance effect is improved, but user discomfort increases due to excessive stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration intensity is made dynamically adjustable based on real-time pressure sensor feedback. The controller continuously monitors pressure data and adjusts vibration intensity accordingly, transitioning from a static to a dynamic system that adapts to changing foot pressure conditions, thereby optimizing the balance between sensitivity enhancement and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback loop is established where the pressure sensor continuously measures foot pressure and sends data to the controller, which then adjusts the vibration intensity. This closed-loop control system ensures that vibration remains within comfortable limits while effectively enhancing user sensitivity through stochastic resonance when needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration intensity is decreased to reduce user discomfort, then user comfort is improved, but stochastic resonance effect is weakened reducing sensitivity enhancement
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vibration intensity based on real-time pressure conditions rather than using a fixed low intensity. When pressure indicates the user can tolerate higher vibration, the system increases intensity to maximize sensitivity enhancement; when pressure indicates discomfort, it reduces intensity. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between comfort and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration intensity parameter is changed in real-time based on pressure sensor data. The controller modifies the vibration parameter (intensity) according to the measured pressure conditions, allowing the system to optimize both comfort and sensitivity enhancement by adjusting the parameter to the appropriate level for each moment.
3Measurement precision
If pressure sensor and vibrator are positioned to maximize overlap for accurate pressure measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor and vibrator are merged into a vertically stacked configuration where the sensor is positioned directly beneath the vibrator. This merging of components into a compact vertical arrangement maximizes their spatial overlap for accurate pressure measurement while minimizing the horizontal footprint and overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The components are arranged in the vertical dimension rather than spreading them out horizontally. By stacking the pressure sensor directly under the vibrator in the vertical direction, the system achieves maximum overlap and measurement accuracy without increasing the lateral dimensions or overall device complexity.
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 device enhances user sensitivity through stochastic resonance, providing comfortable and tailored vibration stimulation by adjusting intensity in real-time based on foot pressure, improving user experience and reducing discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor under the vibrator, the pressure sensor configured to measure a measured pressure
Implementation Method 2
a vibrator configured to generate a vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe-type device and a method of controlling the shoe-type device are disclosed. The shoe-type device includes a vibrator configured to generate a vibration, a pressure sensor disposed under the vibrator and configured to measure a pressure, and a controller configured to control an intensity of the vibration to be generated by the vibrator based on the measured pressure.