Dynamically-controlled cushioning system for an article of footwear
First Claim
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1. An article of footwear having a controlled cushioning system, the system comprising:
- a fluid-filled bladder received within a sole of the article of footwear, said bladder being closed to ambient air and having a plurality of separate cushioning chambers in fluid communication with each other;
a plurality of pressure detectors, at least one of said plurality of pressure detectors being connected to each of said plurality of chambers;
a plurality of regulators, one of said plurality of regulators being connected to each of said plurality of chambers for regulating the level of fluid communication of the connected chamber with at least one other of said plurality of chambers;
a control system connected to the article of footwear, said control system communicating with said plurality of pressure detectors for detecting real time pressure in each of said plurality of chambers, communicating with each of said plurality of regulators to control actuation of each of said plurality of regulators for regulating the level of fluid communication of one of said plurality of chambers in relation to another of said plurality of chambers, and modulating the level of fluid communication between said plurality of chambers by actuating said plurality of regulators in a sequence to maintain a select pressure in each of said plurality of chambers.
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Abstract
An article of footwear with a dynamically-controlled cushoning system is disclosed. The cushioning system includes a sealed, fluid-filled bladder formed with a plurality of separate cushioning chambers, and a control system. The control system, which includes a CPU, pressure sensors and valves, controls fluid communication between the chambers to dynamically adjust the pressure in the cushioning chambers for various conditions such as the activity that the footwear is used in, the weight of the individual and the individual'"'"'s running style. Certain adjustments can be made while the footwear is in use.
400 Citations
6 Claims
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1. An article of footwear having a controlled cushioning system, the system comprising:
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a fluid-filled bladder received within a sole of the article of footwear, said bladder being closed to ambient air and having a plurality of separate cushioning chambers in fluid communication with each other;
a plurality of pressure detectors, at least one of said plurality of pressure detectors being connected to each of said plurality of chambers;
a plurality of regulators, one of said plurality of regulators being connected to each of said plurality of chambers for regulating the level of fluid communication of the connected chamber with at least one other of said plurality of chambers;
a control system connected to the article of footwear, said control system communicating with said plurality of pressure detectors for detecting real time pressure in each of said plurality of chambers, communicating with each of said plurality of regulators to control actuation of each of said plurality of regulators for regulating the level of fluid communication of one of said plurality of chambers in relation to another of said plurality of chambers, and modulating the level of fluid communication between said plurality of chambers by actuating said plurality of regulators in a sequence to maintain a select pressure in each of said plurality of chambers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
a central processing unit received within said article of footwear;
a power source for powering said central processing unit; and
,wherein each of said plurality of pressure detectors is a transducer received within each said plurality of chambers and in electrical communication with said central processing unit.
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3. The controlled cushioning system of claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of regulators is an electronically-actuated valve in electrical communication with said central processing unit.
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4. The controlled cushioning system of claim 2, further including a user input device for selectively commanding said central processing unit to set said select pressure in one of said plurality of chambers.
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5. The controlled cushioning system of claim 1, further including a plenum joining said plurality of chambers in fluid communication.
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6. The controlled cushioning system of claim 1, further including a variable volume reservoir in fluid communication with said cushioning chambers, said variable volume reservoir having:
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a regulator in communication with, and actuated by, said control system for regulating the level of fluid communication of the reservoir with the chambers;
a pressure detector in communication with said control system for detecting pressure in said reservoir; and
an actuator for modulating the volume of said reservoir, said actuator in communication with said control system wherein said control system modulates the volume of said reservoir and the regulators in a predetermined sequence to obtain a preset pressure in each chamber.
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Specification