ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM FOR FOOT-POWERED DEVICES

• US 20140368157A1
• Filed: 06/16/2014
• Published: 12/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sole Power, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sole Power, LLC
• Inventors: Stanton, Matthew James, Alexander, Hahna Ruth, Davitian, Davit Frengul, Kahn, Elliot Isaac, Nene, Lucas O.
• Application Number:
  US14/305,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20140368157A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0031 provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/38 with power sources
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/42 where power is generated by conversion of mechanical movement to electricity, e.g. by piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 19/00 Attachments for footwear, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/202 Casings or frames around the primary casing of a single cell or a single battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/244 Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007 Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/04 Regulation of charging current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/06 : using discharge tubes or semiconductor devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An energy generation and storage system includes an energy generation device within a component of a shoe. The system also includes an energy storage device having an attachment structure configured to removably secure the energy storage device to the shoe or the shoe'"'"'s wearer and electrically connect to the energy generation device via a power cord.

Claims

1. An energy generation and storage system, comprising:

an energy generation device within a component of a shoe; and

an energy storage device comprising an attachment structure configured to removably secure the energy storage device and electrically connect to the energy generation device via a power cord.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device comprises:

a battery unit having at least one power port; and

a holster comprising a cavity that holds the battery unit and a plurality of fastening structures configured to secure the holster to a shoelace of the shoe.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein a first one of the fastening structures comprises a flap that, when installed, is threaded around at least one rung of the shoelace and at least partially covers an opening that receives the battery into the cavity.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein a second one of the fastening structures comprises a receiving channel that, when installed, receives a portion of the shoelace that is proximate an ankle area of the shoe.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the component of the shoe comprises an insole that includes a port positioned along a side of the insole in an arch area of the insole; and

the power cord extends from the port.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the battery unit comprises a plurality of lights configured to selectively illuminate based on a level of charge of the battery unit.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the flap comprises a shoelace-engaging portion and a fastening portion, wherein the shoelace-engaging portion is wider than the fastening portion.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the holster further comprises a buckle sized and positioned to receive the fastening portion.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the battery unit comprises:

a rectifier;

a first regulating circuit;

a battery indicator circuit; and

a second regulating circuit.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the battery unit also comprises a transmitter connected to an output of the battery indicator circuit, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a signal that contains an indicator of a level of charge in the battery unit.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising programming instructions that, when executed, cause a mobile electronic device that is within a communication range of the transmitter to:

receive the signal that contains an indicator of a level of charge in the battery unit; and

output, on a display of the mobile electronic device, a graphic indication of the level of charge.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising additional programming instructions that, when executed, cause the mobile electronic device to:

identify a time period;

determine a measure of an amount of energy generated by the energy generation device during the time period; and

output, on the display, a graphic indication of the amount of energy generated during the time period.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the shoe comprises a prosthetic foot.

14. An energy generation and storage system, comprising:

an energy generation device formed as a component of a shoe; and

an energy storage device comprising an attachment structure configured to removably secure the energy storage device and electrically connect to the energy generation device via a power cord, wherein the energy storage device comprises;

a battery unit having at least one power port, and

a holster comprising a cavity that holds the battery unit and a first fastening structure comprising a flap that, when installed, is threaded around at least one rung of a shoelace of the shoe and at least partially covers an opening that receives the battery into the cavity.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the holster also comprises a receiving channel that, when installed, receives a portion of the shoelace that is proximate an ankle area of the shoe.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the component of the shoe comprises an insole that includes a port positioned along a side of the insole in an arch area of the insole; and

the power cord extends from the port.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the battery unit comprises a plurality of lights configured to selectively illuminate based on a level of charge of the battery unit.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the flap comprises a shoelace-engaging portion and a fastening portion, wherein the shoelace-engaging portion is wider than the fastening portion.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the holster further comprises a buckle sized and positioned to receive the fastening portion.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the battery unit comprises:

a rectifier;

a first regulating circuit;

a battery indicator circuit; and

a second regulating circuit.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the battery unit also comprises a transmitter connected to an output of the battery indicator circuit, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a signal that contains an indicator of a level of charge in the battery unit.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising programming instructions that, when executed, cause a mobile electronic device that is within a communication range of the transmitter to:

receive the signal that contains an indicator of a level of charge in the battery unit; and

output, on a display of the mobile electronic device, a graphic indication of the level of charge.

23. The system of claim 21, further comprising additional programming instructions that, when executed, cause the mobile electronic device to:

identify a time period;

determine a measure of an amount of energy generated by the energy generation device during the time period; and

output, on the display, a graphic indication of the amount of energy generated during the time period.