Footwear Having Sensor System

• US 20120291564A1
• Filed: 02/17/2012
• Published: 11/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Amos, Michael S., Owings, Andrew A., Schrock, Allan M., Dean, Anthony C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,549,585 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/862.045
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/04 Plastics, rubber or vulcanised fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/141 with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/189 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/203 provided with a pump or valve
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/22 Soles made slip-preventing or wear-resisting, e.g. by impregnation or spreading a wear-resisting layer
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/003 characterised by the material made of wood A43B17/12, made of sponge, rubber or plastic materials A43B17/14
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/035 provided with a pump or valve
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/00 Footwear for sporting purposes non-skid devices, e.g. ice-spurs or studs for football shoes, A43C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/06 Running shoes; Track shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0266 Optical strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/168 Fluid filled sensor housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 : Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/205 : using distributed sensing elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/22 : using resistance strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 : Foot operated pointing devices

Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper member and a sole structure, with a sensor system connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that are configured for detecting forces exerted by a user'"'"'s foot on the sensor. Each sensor includes two electrodes that are in communication with a force sensitive resistive material. Additionally, the sensor system may be provided on an insert that may form a sole member of the article of footwear. The insert may include an airflow system that includes one or more air chambers in communication with one or more air reservoirs through air passages extending therebetween. The insert may also have a multi-layered structure, with the airflow system provided between the layers.

Claims

1. An insert for use with an article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, the article of footwear having a sole structure and an upper portion connected to the sole structure, the insert comprising:

a flexible polymer insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member comprising a first layer and a second layer connected together in superimposed relation; and

a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member and a port configured for communication with an electronic device,

wherein the insert member has an internal airflow system comprising an air reservoir defined between the first and second layers and a plurality of air chambers defined between the first and second layers, each air chamber located at one of the plurality of force sensors, and each air chamber having a passage extending between the first and second layers from the respective air chamber to the air reservoir, such that compression of the sensors is adapted to cause air to flow between the air chambers and the air reservoir through the air passages.

2. The insert of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises at least four sensors, including a first phalange sensor positioned on the first phalange portion of the insert member, a first metatarsal sensor and a fifth metatarsal sensor positioned on the central portion of the insert member, and a heel sensor positioned on the heel portion of the insert member.

3. The insert of claim 1, wherein the sensor system further comprises a plurality of leads extending from the port to each of the plurality of force sensors.

4. The insert of claim 1, wherein the plurality of force sensors are force sensitive resistor sensors comprising two electrodes and a force sensitive resistive material positioned between the electrodes.

5. The insert of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers of the insert member each comprise a flexible polymer webbing.

6. The insert of claim 1, wherein the plurality of force sensors each comprise a pair of electrodes in contact with a force-sensitive resistive material, and wherein the first layer has the electrodes located thereon and the second layer has the force sensitive resistive material thereon.

7. The insert of claim 6, wherein the sensor system further comprises a plurality of leads extending from the force sensors to the port, and wherein the leads are also located on the first layer.

8. The insert of claim 1, wherein the airflow system further comprises a second air reservoir and an additional air chamber having a second passage located at one of the plurality of force sensors, the second passage extending from the additional air chamber to the second air reservoir, such that compression of the force sensor located at the additional air chamber is adapted to cause air to flow between the second air chamber and the second air reservoir through the second air passage.

9. The insert of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers are connected by a bonding material applied to at least one of the first and second layers, and wherein the air chambers, the passages, and the air reservoir are formed by areas not covered by the bonding material.

10. The insert of claim 1, further comprising a vent hole in communication with the internal airflow system, the vent hole permitting passage of air from the internal airflow system to an exterior of the insert.

11. The insert of claim 10, wherein the vent hole is in communication with at least the air reservoir of the internal airflow system.

12. The insert of claim 1, wherein each air chamber has a multi-lobed structure comprising a first lobe and a second lobe separated by a gap, and a bridge member connecting the first lobe and the second lobe.

13. An insert for use with an article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, the article of footwear having a sole structure and an upper portion connected to the sole structure, the insert comprising:

a flexible polymer insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear; and

a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member and a port configured for communication with an electronic device,

wherein the insert member has an internal airflow system comprising an air reservoir, an air chamber located at a first sensor of the plurality of force sensors, and a passage extending from the air chamber to the air reservoir, such that compression of the first sensor is adapted to cause air to flow between the air chamber and the air reservoir through the air passage.

14. The insert of claim 13, wherein the internal airflow system further comprises a second air chamber located at a second sensor of the plurality of force sensors and a second passage extending from the second air chamber to the air reservoir, such that compression of the second sensor is adapted to cause air to flow from the second air chamber through the second air passage to the air reservoir.

15. The insert of claim 13, wherein the internal airflow system further comprises a second air reservoir, a second air chamber located at a second sensor of the plurality of force sensors and a second passage extending from the second air chamber to the second air reservoir, such that compression of the second sensor is adapted to cause air to flow from the second air chamber through the second air passage to the second air reservoir.

16. The insert of claim 13, wherein the internal airflow system further comprises:

a second air reservoir, a second air chamber located at a second sensor of the plurality of force sensors and a second passage extending from the second air chamber to the second air reservoir, such that compression of the second sensor is adapted to cause air to flow from the second air chamber through the second air passage to the second air reservoir; and

a third air chamber located at a third sensor of the plurality of force sensors and a third passage extending from the third air chamber to the air reservoir, such that compression of the third sensor is adapted to cause air to flow from the third air chamber through the third air passage to the air reservoir.

17. The insert of claim 13, wherein the sensor system comprises at least four sensors, including a first phalange sensor positioned on the first phalange portion of the insert member, a first metatarsal sensor and a fifth metatarsal sensor positioned on the central portion of the insert member, and a heel sensor positioned on the heel portion of the insert member.

18. The insert of claim 13, wherein the sensor system further comprises a plurality of leads extending from the port to each of the plurality of force sensors.

19. The insert of claim 13, wherein the plurality of force sensors are force sensitive resistor sensors comprising two electrodes and a force sensitive resistive material positioned between the electrodes.

20. The insert of claim 13, wherein the air chamber has a multi-lobed structure comprising a first lobe and a second lobe separated by a gap, and a bridge member connecting the first lobe and the second lobe.

21. The insert of claim 13, further comprising a vent hole in communication with the internal airflow system, the vent hole permitting passage of air from the internal airflow system to an exterior of the insert.

22. The insert of claim 21, wherein the vent hole is in communication with at least the air reservoir of the internal airflow system.

23. The insert of claim 13, wherein the internal airflow system further comprises a plurality of air chambers, each of air chambers located at one of the plurality of force sensors, and a plurality of air passages each extending from one of the air chambers to the air reservoir.

24. The insert of claim 13, wherein the insert comprises a first layer and a second layer connected in a layered configuration, wherein the air reservoir, the air chamber, and the passage are all positioned between the first and second layers.

25. The insert of claim 24, wherein the plurality of force sensors each comprise a pair of electrodes in contact with a force-sensitive resistive material, and the sensor system further comprises a plurality of leads extending from the force sensors to the port, and wherein the electrodes and leads are located on the first layer and the force sensitive resistive material is located on the second layer.

26. An insert for use with an article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, the article of footwear having a sole structure and an upper portion connected to the sole structure, the insert comprising:

a flexible polymer insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member comprising a central portion adapted to be engaged by a metatarsal portion of the foot, a first phalange portion extending from a front edge of the central portion and adapted to be engaged by a first phalange of the foot, and a heel portion extending from a rear edge of the central portion and adapted to be engaged by a heel of the foot, wherein the first phalange portion and the heel portion are narrowed in the medial-lateral direction with respect to the central portion, the insert member further comprising a first layer and a second layer connected together in superimposed relation;

a sensor system comprising first, second, third, and fourth force sensors connected to the insert member and a port configured for communication with an electronic device, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth force sensors comprises;

a patch of force-sensitive resistive material connected to the first layer;

a first electrode having a first lead connected to the port, the first electrode and the first lead connected to the first layer; and

a second electrode having a second lead connected to the port, the second electrode and the second lead connected to the second layer,

wherein the patch of force-sensitive resistive material has a multi-lobed structure comprising a first lobe and a second lobe separated by a gap and a bridge member spanning the gap and connecting the first lobe and the second lobe, wherein the first electrode is in contact with the first lobe and the second lobe, and the second electrode is in contact with the first lobe and the second lobe,

wherein the first force sensor is positioned on the first phalange portion of the insert member, the second and third force sensors are positioned on the central portion of the insert member, and the fourth force sensor is positioned on the heel portion of the insert member,

wherein the insert member has a plurality of slits extending completely through the thickness of the insert member, the slits positioned proximate at least one of first, second, third, and fourth force sensors of the sensor system, and

wherein the insert member has an internal airflow system comprising two air reservoirs and a plurality of air chambers defined between the first and second layers and located at the first, second, third, and fourth force sensors, each air chamber having a passage formed between the first and second layers and extending from the air chamber to one of the air reservoirs, such that compression of the first, second, third, and fourth force sensors is adapted to cause air to flow between the air chambers and the air reservoirs through the air passages.

27. The insert of claim 26, wherein each air chamber has a multi-lobed structure comprising a first lobe and a second lobe separated by a gap, and a bridge member connecting the first lobe and the second lobe, such that the multi-lobed structure of the air chamber has a shape similar to the multi-lobed structure of the force sensitive resistive material.

28. The insert of claim 26, wherein the first and second layers are connected by a bonding material applied to at least one of the first and second layers, and wherein the air chambers, the passages, and the air reservoir are formed by areas not covered by the bonding material.

29. The insert of claim 26, further comprising a vent hole in communication with the internal airflow system, the vent hole permitting passage of air from the internal airflow system to an exterior of the insert.

30. The insert of claim 29, wherein the vent hole is in communication with at least one of the air reservoirs of the internal airflow system.