Automated tensioning system for an article of footwear
First Claim
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1. An article of footwear, comprising:
- a motorized tensioning system that is configured to adjust a tension level of the article of footwear from a first tension level to a second tension level, wherein the first tension level is greater than the second tension level;
the motorized tensioning system including a motor, a controller coupled to the motor, and a memory coupled to the controller;
wherein there is a first current level associated with operating the motor when the article of footwear is tensioned at the first tension level, wherein there is a second current level associated with operating the motor when the article of footwear is tensioned at the second tension level;
wherein the first current level is different from the second current level; and
wherein the controller is configured to drive the motor in a reverse direction, then in a forward direction, then measure current levels that are associated with operation of the motor in order to determine the tension level of the article of footwear, wherein the current levels are measured after the motor is driven in the forward direction.
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Abstract
An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. An automated tensioning system can be configured to provide and perform a variety of functions associated with the fastening of the article of footwear. The automated tensioning system may tighten and loosen the article of footwear through the operation of a motor. The automated tensioning system may also be able to store and recall a preset tension level.
59 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An article of footwear, comprising:
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a motorized tensioning system that is configured to adjust a tension level of the article of footwear from a first tension level to a second tension level, wherein the first tension level is greater than the second tension level; the motorized tensioning system including a motor, a controller coupled to the motor, and a memory coupled to the controller; wherein there is a first current level associated with operating the motor when the article of footwear is tensioned at the first tension level, wherein there is a second current level associated with operating the motor when the article of footwear is tensioned at the second tension level; wherein the first current level is different from the second current level; and wherein the controller is configured to drive the motor in a reverse direction, then in a forward direction, then measure current levels that are associated with operation of the motor in order to determine the tension level of the article of footwear, wherein the current levels are measured after the motor is driven in the forward direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An article of footwear, comprising:
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an automated tensioning system that is configured to adjust a level of tension associated with the article of footwear; the automated tensioning system including a motor, a controller coupled to the motor, and a memory coupled to the controller, wherein the motor operates in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the motor operates in the first direction as the level of tension is increased, wherein the motor operates in the second direction as the level of tension is decreased; and wherein the controller is configured to determine the level of tension of the article of footwear by operating the motor in the second direction, then in the first direction, then measuring a current level that is associated with the motor following operation of the motor in the second direction, wherein the current levels are measured after the motor is driven in the forward direction. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An article of footwear, comprising:
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a fastening mechanism associated with two or more tension levels; an automated tensioning system configured to adjust the tension level of the fastening mechanism from a first tension level to a second tension level, wherein the first tension level is different from the second tension level; the automated tensioning system including a motor, a controller coupled to the motor, and a memory coupled to the controller; the automated tensioning system being configured to store the first tension level in the memory; the automated tensioning system being configured to operate the motor such that the tension level of the fastening mechanism returns to the first tension level automatically; and wherein the controller is configured to use a measurement of a current that is associated with operation of the motor following operating the motor in a reverse direction and then a forward direction to determine the tension level of the article, wherein the current levels are measured after the motor is driven in the forward direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A controller-implemented method, comprising:
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operating a motor to adjust a tension level of an article of footwear to a first tension level; operating the motor in a reverse direction;
thenoperating the motor in a forward direction;
thenmeasuring a first current level associated with the operation of a motor during the adjustment to the first tension level; storing the first current level in memory; determining the first tension level based on the first current level; operating the motor to adjust the tension level of the article of footwear to a second tension level that is different from the first tension level; returning the tension level of the article of footwear to the first tension level. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification