CN1980580A

CN1980580A - Dynamically adjustable impact-buffering sports shoe

Info

Publication number: CN1980580A
Application number: CNA2005800225856A
Authority: CN
Inventors: P·杜尼阿斯
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 2004-07-02
Filing date: 2005-06-30
Publication date: 2007-06-13
Also published as: US20080276493A1; KR20070037449A; WO2006003635A1; JP2008504857A; EP1765105A1

Abstract

An item of wearware, such as a shoe, comprises a buffer configured for enabling to dynamically regulate an effect of a next impact on the item in operational use of the item, under control of the intensity of the previous impact.

Description

Dynamically adjustable impact-buffering sports shoe

Technical field

The present invention relates to furnishings; it is defined as comprising a kind of product that is through or is used to cover human body parts here; for example footwear, boots; or the dress of other footgears, for example a pair of trousers, a coat etc., the protective device of for example gloves, or for example saddle that will contact or seat with human body.The invention particularly relates to, but and amateurishly relate to a kind of sport footwear.

Background technology

When running or jogging, when shoes kiss the earth that people wear, human body will suffer an impact.Except other aspects, this impulsive force depends on topographical surface situation (for example concrete or cobblestone), the type of running, runner's health and buffering or the attenuation that sole is provided.Impulsive force in running can cause wearing and tearing and grievous injury, particularly to ankle-joint or knee joint.Therefore the decay that increases impulsive force has been subjected to suitable attention.Below some examples will be described.

U.S. Pat 4,263,728 here are used as with reference to incorporated, and it relates to a kind of jogging shoes with the adjustable shock-absorbing system that is used in the root shock surface, and its form is one and has the swelling gasbag of the pump shape stake of stretching out and the cavity endosome that is connected with this air bag downwards.When run in ground in the jogging shoes impact, these stakes are oppressed, and the gas that compressing is included in their cavitys enters described air bag, and it is distributed to impulsive force on the whole sole of footwear.After stake was depressed, air bag can also partly compress and absorb remaining pressure.Thereby provide a kind of two-step shock absorption and decentralized system.Use this shock-absorbing system need be inflated to an initial pressure.Usually, this initial pressure is less than 30 pounds per square inch, and this depends on wearer's body weight.Then needing these footwear of use to judge the shock absorbing that whether reaches abundant and comfortable and shake disperses.In case of necessity, availablely adjust amount of pressure in the shock-absorbing system by a gas trap.This gas trap is connected with air bag to allow air bag adjustable expanded.And then provide a kind of have be used to impact the enhancing shock absorbing that receives heel or the jogging shoes of vibrations dispersing character.Second of shock-absorbing system of the present invention is characterised in that this gas trap, can be according to shock absorbing amount necessary under these environment air or other compressible liquids are expelled to air bag or from wherein removing by it.Therefore, canterer's the body weight that can adapt, the type on ground that the canterer runs, and canterer's type in a way, the i.e. at first position of the jogging shoes on the contact ground of running or the size in jogging shoes district for specific canterer.

United States Patent (USP) 5,598,645 here by incorporated by reference, and it relates to a kind of sole with base plate, and this base plate has ground contact surface, and this ground contact surface has the expandable tubular unit that is fixed to the upper.This sole also comprises upright side supporting wall, its chamber of definition or installing space, and it is communicated with pipe unit by inflation openings.Also be furnished with a valve pocket, a micropump and a connecting duct that pump is connected to inflation openings at installing space.Pipe unit is provided in sole center and side and heel area.In addition, pipe unit can expand respectively each other, thereby might adjust the characteristic of trampling of the shoes that have been equipped with this sole separately.Pipe unit also comprises a longitudinal subdivision, and it is divided into two air bags to its inside, and they are interconnected by the opening that at least one is positioned at longitudinal subdivision.It provides improved hardness of trampling characteristic and improved pipe unit.The minitype piston pump is fixed on and is positioned at the middle heel area of two support plates.This pump comprises that is used for the control device that valve is arranged, and allows that one is communicated with between the cylinder in its each in four pressure connect and the pump block, make pipe unit partly and pipe unit can be expanded respectively.Valve is arranged and to be comprised such valve, and its and each pressure join dependency also prevents that the gas in the pipe unit from overflowing, and for allow gas discharger unit it can also be by special and startup expressly.

United States Patent (USP) 6,553,691 here by incorporated by reference, and it relates to by an air cushion and providing support to wearer's pin, and this air cushion comprises a support chamber around a folding pump.This pump of pin by the wearer can be used for that Compressed Gas imported support chamber and change the robustness in this chamber.This support chamber is a ready-made three-dimensional structure, and it has sufficient hardness and came to provide stable support to pin before receiving Compressed Gas from pump.The user can adjust to a desired level to the pressure of the Compressed Gas in the support chamber by handling a pressure-reducing valve.

Therefore, above-mentioned example illustrates those shoes for knowing, and they use a gas pump, an air bag and a gas trap that the adjustable impact absorption characteristic is provided.

Summary of the invention

Except other situations, the present invention sets forth such theme, promptly when people are run because the changeability in time of the impulsive force that the variation of state of ground causes.One of purpose of the present invention is, even the size variation that the route of walking along people impacts also provides suitable damping to this impact.

The present invention also considers the situation except running or jogging, and wherein wishing provides the vibrations to the size variation on human body fully to absorb by an intermediary.People in driver, truck driver, the person that rides the motor, people by bike, the people's speedboat on the horse back or the like also is subjected to the mechanical shock that is sent by their vehicles between the work operating period.The intensity of vibrations and frequency depend on for example speed, ground or water surface characteristic and be located at these human bodies and surface that their car, ship or horse are walking between the shock absorbing quality of any object.For example, on die Dorfstrasse, ridden motorcycle for a long time, with making the cyclist clearly recognize the buttocks of s/he and the palm of s/he, because these body parts also play the function of shock absorber.Solid padded gloves can help the cyclist to break away from misery with the saddle that meets ergonomics.Make the suspension (suspension) of vehicle weaken the solution that is not best.If a little less than hanging too, it not only influences vehicle safety runnability quality negatively, also hindered cyclist's (accurately) and will make the subconscious sensation of what kind of action, and then hindered user's control vehicle.For integrality, from beginning in 1991, people had a kind of automatic adjustable suspension with regard to known on certain Benz, and it is called as " adjustable shock mitigation system ".This system one of is provided with based on several times the stable degree of each wheel shock absorber being adjusted to four kinds in road surface and the automobile type of drive per second.

A kind of furnishings of the consideration that the present invention is general.These articles for use comprise a buffer, and it is configured to can dynamically regulate the effect that these articles for use impact next time in this articles for use work is used.For example regulate this effect in order controllably to reduce effect or controllably to increase effect.In use, adjusting is dynamic.Just, when stating known articles for use in the use, the user does not need to stop to regulate.In one embodiment of the invention, this buffer is configured to carry out radio communication with a user interface, so that the user of these articles for use can import regulating effect according to a user.For example, the user can carry the equipment with user interface, and this equipment communicates by less radio-frequency (RF) connected device and this buffer, thus make the user can be between the work operating period of these articles for use regulating effect.In another embodiment, this buffer is configured to regulate under the control of a sensor, for example reduces next effect of impacting, and this sensor is used for the value in the parameter of the previous impact of induction expression between this articles for use work operating period.Providing under the situation of damping, thus this automatically and dynamic adjustable formula buffer can consider that the external factor of multiple variation suppresses impact best.This sensor can be placed in the articles for use itself, for example physical connection or be integrated in this buffer.Selectively, this sensor is an independently assembly and wirelessly communicating with a buffer, rather than physically is connected with these articles for use.

In one embodiment of the invention, this buffer comprises an air bag; An air pump that is connected on the described air bag; A pressure-reducing valve that is connected on the described air bag; A scale that is connected to described chamber, it is used for measuring the expression of measuring of gas pressure in this chamber; With one be connected at least on one of described pump and valve, be used under the jointly controlling of described sensor and described scale the control gas pressure.Preferably, this controller is that one (user) is programmable and/or be configured to handle user's input of using above-mentioned RF communication linkage to receive from the user during the manipulating of this articles for use.

Thereby, the invention provides dynamically and automatic adjustable footgear, gloves and other clothes, seat, saddle, be used for the handle of hundle-bar etc., to be used for by dress the effect of the impact that improvement produces on human body.

The invention still further relates to the vehicles that are equipped with wearing, this wearing contacts with human body between the work operating period.One particular embodiment of the present invention are a kind of sport footwears.

Description of drawings

By example and with reference to accompanying drawing, will illustrate in greater detail the present invention, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of furnishings among the present invention; With

Fig. 2-the 4th, the figure of the specific embodiment of furnishings among the present invention.

In institute's drawings attached, identical Reference numeral is represented identical or characteristic of correspondence.

Specific embodiment

As the example that the present invention uses, consider a kind of sport footwear.Current commercially available sport footwear supports the runner by damping (damping) or hardness (stiffness) characteristic of controlling sole.Usually, obtain adjustment by the gas in the compressional movement footwear sole to the damping characteristic and the hardness of footwear.One relates to according to pre-determined user for example and expects that needs regulate the gas pressure in the chamber that is integrated in the sole in these technology.See top example.For this is had an effect, need particular device, and therefore need higher cost.This technology is applied to specific footwear usually, and for example those are the roller skate of a straight line.Obviously, it is once adjustable footwear just, and the variation that it can not be considered between the work operating period for example relates to the variation of user's body situation, state of ground and the type of running.Impulsive force depends on state of ground (concrete, sand, cobblestone, snow, etc.), user's situation (body weight, joint and muscle situation, footwear size etc.) and the user type (speed/acceleration, footwork shape, the situation etc. of stopping over) of running.Another known embodiment (on seeing) also needs to be provided with in advance hardness and the damping characteristic that a pressure-reducing valve is controlled footwear.

In one embodiment of the invention, by based on measuring the performance that relevant parameter dynamic adjustments sole hardness improves footwear constantly or periodically.According to the impulsive force that during walking or running, measures, regulate sole air-pressure, thereby optimize the damping/hardness property of sole.In this way, can make footwear adapt to the variation of ground, user's situation and the type of running automatically.

One aspect of the present invention is to regulate sole air-pressure to be used for dynamically controlling or regulating the damping and the hardness property of footwear.This can realize by the mechanism that uses a kind of execution to have the method for following step.Measure relevant parameter (for example impulsive force) at sensor element.At control assembly, adjust the variation of air pressure and/or its each time period aloft according to described measurement.The result is damping and the hardness quality that has produced certain in sole.

One aspect of the present invention concentrates on when manipulating in the adjusting of (for example walking or run) impact force measurement and air pressure especially.

As implied above, the function of these self adaptation footwear is to regulate sole damping/hardness under the control of measuring impulsive force.This function realizes that by a system this system for example comprises following assembly: a measuring unit, a control module and an air pressure unit will explain them below.

Measuring unit comprises a sensor, and it measures impulsive force when the footwear kiss the earth.This sensor for example is positioned at the heel of footwear.Impulsive force for example depends on specific ground, user's situation and the type of running at that time.Sensor can be passively or is used an independent power supply (a for example batteries) on one's own initiative, perhaps preferably provides energy by impulsive force itself.In back, impact force measurement control and be used for the desired damping/hardness number of sole that next impacts the step.

Based on measured impulsive force, regulate the air pressure in main chamber.Preferably when the footwear built on stilts, carry out this adjusting.When footwear still on the ground the time, controlling organization of the present invention is not regulated the damping/hardness of sole.During back, determined to impact needed air pressure with the next one on ground.But when the footwear built on stilts, the air pressure of sole can be changed according to last impact force measurements.During next step or in fact during the kiss the earth in next step pin, will use new damping/hardness number.In addition, it also is preferred controlling air pressure in passive mode.By utilizing the impulsive force that is produced when the pin kiss the earth, can regulate control module in such a way, wherein the air pressure of sole reaches desired optimum value when pin lifts.

Air pressure unit is the main chamber that wherein can cause air pressure.Identical with the existing scheme of sport footwear industry, in sole, can introduce air bag.This main gasbag is connected with control module, changes its pressure aloft the time and keep adjusted air pressure during kiss the earth when pin being used for.

Following operating procedure is equal to.In the impact process on footwear and ground, measuring unit is measured this impulsive force, for example its maximum.When footwear during, do not control main chamber and control module and prepare next control action on ground.When the footwear built on stilts, the air pressure in main chamber changes.When shoes next time during kiss the earth, this main chamber controllably has been set to suppress next and has impacted, and measures new impulsive force by carrying its described measuring unit.

This system can be counted as one and have the controlled system that the sampling time is the gait time.The compressibility of collected gas is used to provide certain damping.Selectively, perhaps in addition, can realize damping by the speed of controlling the gas that when absorbing impact, from the chamber, discharges.During each gait, control air pressure and/or its variation based on the measurement during previous sampling/gait.

Below with reference to Fig. 1 more detailed description foregoing.Fig. 1 is the block diagram of system 100 among the present invention, and it illustrates multiple function.System 100 comprises the furnishings 102 with buffer 104, and this buffer is configured to dynamically to be adjusted in the effect that the next one on the articles for use 102 impacts in the manipulating of articles for use 102.Buffer 104 comprises an air bag 106, and it plays the part of an actual absorption device that impacts on the articles for use 102.Buffer 104 also comprises the air pump 108 and the pressure-reducing valve 110 that is used for reducing this air pressure that are used for increasing air pressure in the chamber 106.For example from above-mentioned prior art, can know the configuration of pump 108.As described below, valve 110 and pump 108 are controllable, and are used for regulating the air pressure change of air pressure and each unit interval, thus the shock absorbing characteristic of controller buffer 104.How many energy the amount of the variation of each unit interval air pressure and other factors have determined be absorbed in the impact process, and promptly it can then not pass to user's health.Buffer 104 also comprises a scale 112 that is connected on the chamber 106, and it is used for measuring the expression of measuring of wherein air pressure and its variation.Buffer 102 also comprises a sensor 114, is used for the value that the parameter of an impact is represented on the induction articles for use 112 in the manipulating of articles for use 112.Sensor 114 comprises for example one or more accelerometers.A controller 116 is provided, microcontroller for example, it is connected on pump 108, valve 110, scale 112 and the sensor 114.Controller 116 is based on input control pump 108 and valve 110 from sensor 114 and scale 112.Preferably, controller 116 is regulated next effect of impacting, wherein a value that parameter is represented of sensor sensing previous impact in articles for use are manipulated under the control of sensor 114.This intensity of supposing a series of impacts gradually changes, thereby makes that the size of next impact strength is fully predictable.

Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present of invention, and wherein pump 108 and valve 110 are assemblies independently.In another embodiment (not shown), they are physically or on the function to integrate mutually, thereby for example form a controllable two-way air pump.

Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present of invention, and wherein sensor 114 can be placed in the buffer 104.In other embodiment (not shown) of the present invention, it is outer but be positioned at articles for use 102 that sensor 114 is placed in buffer 104, or be positioned at fully outside the articles for use 102.For example, sensor 104 is through on user's the body of articles for use 102 and by RF and controller 116 and communicates.As an optional embodiment, sensor 114 is remote sensing system (not shown) assemblies, and this system judges the intensity of impact and by a RF connection device measured intensity sent to controller 116 from a remote location with respect to articles for use 102.

Pump 108 also is shown the embodiment of Fig. 1 and valve 110 all can be by controller 116 controls.In another embodiment (not shown), one in pump 108 and the valve 110 is controllable, and another has one and fixedly installs.For example, fixedly install, thereby controller 116 control valves 110 make gas overflow controlled quantity in each impacts if pump 108 has one.

The embodiment of Fig. 1 illustrates the system 100 that comprises scale 112.Another embodiment (not shown) does not have this scale 112, and according to the input 104 pairs of next responses of impacting of controller buffer automatically from sensor 114.

For example be provided for controller 116 and transmit the energy of signals from scale 112 and sensor 114 to pump 108 and valve 110 by one or more baby battery (not shown).According to the setting of being determined by controller 116, the energy that is used for process pump 108 and/or valve 110 is for example from the small power supply of a for example baby battery or from this impact itself.For the latter, referring to prior art about other examples of the mechanical type process pump that in footgear, uses.

Preferably, system 100 also comprises a user interface 118, and it for example wirelessly communicates with the controller 116 of buffer 104 by the RF connection device.User interface 118 for example comprises a skinny device, and it is hand-held, put on or dress as the label of user's shirt or jacket etc. as wrist-watch, it can make the user get involved pump 108 and/or valve 110 automatically and dynamic adjustments.User interface has for example one or more keys or button, can send instruction or order to controller 116 by their users, thereby the setting with respect to the automatic acquisition of judging by scale 112 and/or sensor 114 can increase or reduce the response of 104 pairs of next ones of buffer or a plurality of impacts.As a kind of selection, user interface 118 is acoustic controls, and feasible voice command by for example " height " and " low " obtains, and the artificially operating user interface is the sort of as having.This wireless embodiment of user interface 118 can be by the outer other staff's operation of articles for use 102 users self.For example, if the user is a match runner, he wants his/her trainer to control user interface 118, to be used for according to trainer pump 108 and or the best setting of valve 110 being determined in the monitoring of runner performance.Further, controller can be provided with historical information to be used for analysis subsequently to what interface 118 or another receiver sent the relevant output historical information of autobiography sensor 114 and pump 108 and valve 110.Can cause programming or programmable controller 116 again to the analysis of the background of the performance between practice period, thus the control of fine setting buffer 104 in the match.

Demonstrate the single valve 110 that system 100 comprises single air bag 106, a single pump 108 and has single controller 116.The specific area of using according to the present invention, people can consider that a plurality of key positions in furnishings 102 have the structure in a plurality of chambeies.For example, consider that a pair of trousers or coat are as one of motorcyclist apparatus by bike.If the present invention is integrated in the bottom of the apparatus by bike that touches with the saddle graft that contacts motorcycle, so a plurality of less chambeies can be better than single big chamber, as long as in case chamber leak just have one standby.In addition, the various piece of user's body may need controlled shock eliminator separately, and for example the impact on contact-making surface is not to distribute fifty-fifty in the space and/or on the time.In this case, preferably providing can be by a plurality of chamber of single controller 116 or the 116 independent controls of a plurality of controller.Therefore, have a plurality of of each individual feature of Fig. 1, it combines and is used for shock absorbing, can spatial distribution on clothing, to be fit to their purposes in the present invention best.

Fig. 2 is the figure of footgear 200 articles for use, is that a pair of is used to the sport footwear of running or jogging here, wherein uses corresponding to the position of indicating a plurality of assemblies at the Reference numeral of the function described in Fig. 1.Clearly illustrate as described above, the component placement that ski boots may require system 100 is somewhat different than in the position of those positions shown in the footwear 200, to take into account for the specific impact load that occurs when tilting skiing.Same consideration is applicable to for example the motor-cross boots or the boots of marching.

Fig. 3 is the figure of the part of a leather motorcycle overall 300 that seems from its back side.Coat 300 comprises one on top 304 with have integrated support belt 302 between the bottom 306 of trouser legs.The end 308 of coat 300, contact the saddle (not shown) of motorcycle in coat 300 is manipulated.In the present embodiment, provide to the end 308 and have as at a plurality of air bags 310,312,314 and 316 of Fig. 1 at function as described in the chamber 106.Assembly 318,320,322 and 324 shows that each is similar to the position of the sensor of sensor 114, its each valve that is similar to the pump of pump 108 and is similar to valve 110.Controller 116 for example is arranged in is with 102.User interface 118 for example is a portable unit, and it can lie in certain position of motorcycle handle or be separated with it, wherein can control it easily with a thumb switch in this position.

Fig. 4 is a figure that the part of the bicycle with frame 402 is shown, and saddle 404 is installed on this.Obducent some position at saddle 404 provides air bag 406,408.Preferably customize this saddle 404 and covering considering each user's the specific bodily form, thereby optimize the position of chamber 406-410.In the present example, single-sensor 114 with wireless mode (RF or IR) be installed in below the saddle 404, for example controller 116 (not shown) on the frame 412 of saddle saddle 404 communicate.The valve (not shown) that is similar to the air pump (not shown) of air pump 108 and is similar to valve 110 be installed in equally saddle 404 below, and be easy to act as most when obtaining the impact of transmitting, can use the gravity energy of user's body mechanically to operate by bicycle quick (not shown) and frame 402.Notice that when impact was fully cushioned, user's health moved short vertical range between continuous impact, and effectively gravitation energy is lower than when health is subjected to seriously shaking.

Claims

1. furnishings comprise a buffer, and it is configured in the work of described articles for use is used the effect that the next one on can the described articles for use of dynamic adjustments impacts.

2. articles for use as claimed in claim 1, wherein said buffer are configured to and the user interface radio communication, so that the user of described articles for use can dynamically regulate described effect according to user's input.

3. articles for use as claimed in claim 1, wherein said buffer are configured under the control of sensor to regulate described next described effect of impacting, and described sensor is used for the value of using the parameter of the previous impact of induction to represent in the work of described articles for use.

4. articles for use as claimed in claim 3 are wherein settled described sensor.

5. articles for use as claimed in claim 3 wherein are configured to communicate by letter between described sensor and described buffer.

6. articles for use as claimed in claim 1 wherein comprise footgear.

7. articles for use as claimed in claim 3, wherein said buffer function ground comprises:

Air bag;

Air pump is connected on the described air bag;

Pressure-reducing valve is connected on the described air bag;

Controller is connected on one of described pump and described valve at least, is used for controlling described pump or/and the setting of described valve under the control of described sensor.

8. articles for use as claimed in claim 7, wherein said controller is programmable or user-programmable.

9. a buffer is used for using together with a kind of furnishings, and be configured in the work of described articles for use is used can the described articles for use of dynamic adjustments the next one effect of impacting.

10. buffer as claimed in claim 9 is configured to carry out radio communication with a user interface, so that the user of described articles for use can dynamically regulate described effect according to user's input.

11. buffer as claimed in claim 9 is configured under the control of sensor to regulate described next described effect of impacting, described sensor is used for the value of using the parameter of the previous impact of induction to represent in the work of described articles for use.

12. buffer as claimed in claim 11 is configured to communicate by letter with described sensor wireless.

13. buffer as claimed in claim 11 is wherein settled described sensor.

14. buffer as claimed in claim 9 is configured to and a user interface radio communication, so that the user of described articles for use can import the described damping of control according to user between the work operating period of described buffer.

15. buffer as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

Air bag;

Air pump is connected on the described air bag;

Pressure-reducing valve is connected on the described air bag;