Smart Tracking Shoe Solar Power Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Children and the elderly often go missing, and existing tracking technologies are inadequate for their effective and continuous monitoring.
Innovation Solution
Footwear with integrated solar charging capabilities, GPS tracking, and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi connectivity for continuous location monitoring, featuring solar strips to power the tracking devices and a drainage system to protect them from water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS tracking device and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi device are integrated into footwear, then tracking capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS tracking device, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi device, solar charging capabilities, and drainage system into a single integrated footwear unit. This merging of multiple functional components into one device achieves continuous tracking capability while managing the complexity through unified integration rather than separate systems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar strips are added to power tracking devices, then energy independence is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Solar strips are integrated directly into the footwear upper portion, combining energy generation functionality with the existing shoe structure. This approach enables energy independence for powering tracking devices while managing manufacturing complexity through integration with rather than addition to the basic shoe construction.
3Reliability
If drainage system is implemented to protect components from water, then reliability in wet conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is integrated into the footwear structure between the upper portion and removable sole, combining water protection functionality with the existing shoe construction. This approach protects electronic components from water ingress while managing complexity through integration with the shoe's layered structure rather than adding separate protection systems.
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 continuous tracking and location of children and the elderly by periodically pinging their location, enhancing safety and ease of retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
The upper portion included one or more solar strips 12 at an outer surface thereof to provide power to various components on the shoe
Data Source
AI summary
Smart tracking footwear for tracking and locating children and/or the elderly. The footwear has one or more solar charging strips together with GPS tracking and built in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities. The footwear may also include a removable sole portion that comprises an identifiable tread pattern.