EP3780983A1

EP3780983A1 - Shoe for illumination

Info

Publication number: EP3780983A1
Application number: EP19719792.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Heiner van Elten
Original assignee: Elten GmbH
Current assignee: Elten GmbH
Priority date: 2018-04-17
Filing date: 2019-04-17
Publication date: 2021-02-24
Also published as: DE102018109168A1; WO2019202010A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe (10) comprising a shoe upper (12) and a shoe sole (14), at least one region (16) of the shoe sole (14) being transparent, and the shoe sole (14) containing at least one lamp (18) which is connected to an energy source (20) and from which light can be emitted outwards through the at least one transparent region (16), characterised in that the shoe (10) comprises at least one light sensor (22) for determining an ambient brightness and a control means (24), wherein the control means (24) can be used to set the intensity of the light emission by the at least one lamp (18) depending on an ambient brightness which can be determined by the at least one light sensor (22).

Description

Shoe for lighting

The invention relates to a shoe for lighting, as well as such a shoe in

Combination with an input device.

Shoes are increasingly equipped with functionalities that go beyond their function as pure clothing. In particular, the problem that a run with shoes often takes place in low light conditions, has been addressed in the past often. Thus, the German patent application DE 10 201 1 112 917 A1 describes an LED lighting system for shoes, in which an LED lighting device is provided for use on a shoe, which aligns a light beam forward or in other directions. This eliminates the need to carry a flashlight when running in low light conditions. The European

Patent application EP 0 121 026 A1 describes a shoe with light source and switch, so that the light source can be turned on or off when needed via the switch. The German patent application DE 27 15 100 describes a shoe with built-in lights and contact switch, automatically when walking the

Current flow is controlled to the respective lights.

Although the abovementioned solutions, if appropriate, make it possible to control the respective illuminant, in which the user himself does not have to take any active measures, they do not prevent, if appropriate, the emission of light without this being really necessary.

The present invention is therefore based on the object, a shoe

to provide a light output by one with a light source

equipped shoe without the involvement of the wearer of the shoe only in the actual need for it.

The solution found in the present invention is based on the features of independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are subject matter of the dependent claims.

The object is achieved in a first aspect by a shoe comprising a shoe upper and a shoe sole, wherein at least one region of the shoe sole is transparent and at least one light source connected to an energy source is arranged in the shoe sole, from which the at least one transparent one The light can be emitted to the outside, wherein the shoe comprises at least one light sensor for determining an ambient brightness and a control means and wherein the intensity of the light emission by the at least one light source is adjustable via the control means as a function of an ambient brightness that can be determined by the at least one light sensor.

Advantageously, therefore, the wearer of the shoe does not have to worry about the intensity of the light emission, since this is done automatically via the control means. The control means itself can be configured, for example, as a direct electrical circuit, in which the energy flow from the energy source to the light source can be influenced directly via a sensor value of the light sensor representing the determined ambient brightness. According to further non-limiting examples, the control means is designed as a complex electronic circuit or as a software for influencing the energy flow, wherein action curves between the determined ambient brightness and the intensity of the light emission can be used, for example linear relationships or sigmoidals Relationships. A higher intensity of the light emission can be achieved, for example, by increasing the light emission of a light source via a correspondingly increased energy input. Alternatively or additionally, a higher light intensity of the light emission can be achieved by increasing the number of light emitting bulbs, that is, for example, previously switched off bulbs are activated. Alternatively or additionally, a higher light intensity of the light emission can be achieved by instead of or in addition to bulbs emitting physiologically weakly perceived light, for example, blue-emitting bulbs, now bulbs are activated, radiate physiologically as strongly perceived light, such as white lamps.

The light emission through the at least one transparent region may be designed to go in a direction that is radial to the foot of a shoe wearer located in the shoe, thereby illuminating an area laterally around the shoe. Alternatively or additionally, it may be designed so that it extends axially to the foot of an in The shoe wearer located on the shoe goes, that is through the sole, whereby the running surface under the shoe is illuminated.

Transparent materials for the realization of transparent areas in the

Shoe soles are well known to those skilled in the art, and non-limiting examples include plastics such as polyolefins, e.g. Polyethylene, polyurethanes or silicones. The energy source, the at least one lighting means and the control means can be arranged, for example, in corresponding recesses of the sole, the

Control means itself can be arranged according to a particular development in the form of a flexible board at a covered by an outer layer of the shoe upper position. The recesses in the sole may be openable to the outside and resealed in a watertight manner, or be accessible via an appropriate access in the insole of the shoe. According to one embodiment, the at least one lighting means is covered towards the surroundings by a transparent region of the shoe sole, according to an alternative embodiment, a transparent surface of the lighting means, which extends to the level of the outer surface of the shoe sole, forms a watertight closure of the surface of the shoe sole.

Accordingly, according to one embodiment it is provided that light can be emitted by the at least one light source in a shoe front area, and / or in a shoe side area, and / or in a shoe rear area and / or to the underside of an outsole of the shoe sole , According to a particular embodiment, light can be emitted in a shoe front area and accordingly illuminates an area of the surroundings lying in front of the shoe. As a result, the running path is advantageously illuminated during a forward movement of the shoe wearer. According to another development, light can be radiated in a shoe rear area, which is advantageously illuminated when the footpath behind the shoe wearer moves backwards. This embodiment advantageously increases the safety when reversing, a direction of movement which can occur especially in everyday work and is therefore very advantageous, in particular, also for execution of the shoes as safety shoes. Examples of this are furniture packers, who often transport items in pairs, whereby a person has to walk backwards, or rescue workers who transport persons onto carriers, and the like. The corresponding persons walking backwards are made easier to avoid obstacles if the path lying in their reverse direction is better illuminated by the rear illuminant. According to a further development, the light can be radiated in a shoe side area and thus advantageously increases the safety when walking sideways, a movement type which in particular Other also occurs when performing work. The emission of light through a transparent outsole advantageously increases slip resistance since, in one step before lowering a foot, the area on which the foot will touch is illuminated. The light emission may also be directed to illuminate the area ahead of the next step, or both areas together. The aforementioned refinements can be combined with one another as desired.

The light output can be adjusted via the control means so that with decreasing ambient brightness an increasing intensity of the light emission takes place. This advantageously serves to ensure the safety of the shoe wearer, since the lack of visibility of the running path due to the ambient brightness is in turn improved by the light emission of the at least one lighting means.

The at least one light sensor is mounted at a location where the ambient brightness can be measured as trouble-free as possible. Particular examples of such locations are a shoe side area on the shoe upper, below areas that could possibly still be shaded by trouser legs ending there, or directly in front of the shoe tongue in the direction of a toe.

According to one embodiment, there is a light sensor, via which a representative value of the ambient brightness can be determined. Advantageously, therefore, a smaller

Determined manufacturing costs and a cost-effective shoe.

According to another embodiment, at least two light sensors are present. Advantageously, correspondingly supplied sensor values can be fed into the control means and used there for averaging to compensate for measurement errors or falsified values for the ambient brightness temporarily determined by one of the sensors, for example by momentary shading by a garment. Alternatively, light sensors arranged at different locations can also be used to selectively adjust the intensity of the light emission by individual light sources as a function of the ambient brightness of an associated light sensor for the region of the surroundings in which the light source Light emitted is determined. According to one embodiment, there are at least two light sources and at least two light sensors, wherein the intensity of the light emission by the first light means is adjustable as a function of the ambient brightness determined via the first light sensor and the intensity of light emission by the second light source Illuminant is adjustable in dependence on the determined via the second light sensor ambient brightness. For example, if movers moving a piece of furniture move in a corridor that is illuminated from the front so that there is good ambient brightness but is very dark at the sides in the absence of windows, then a light sensor detecting the lateral ambient brightness can determine the intensity of the light emission make adjustable by a light emitting in the corresponding lateral direction light via the control means so that the area is selectively illuminated with low ambient brightness. Accordingly, the furniture packer can also safely take a step aside, without colliding with objects, for example. A second luminous means, which is associated, for example, with the light sensor, which determines the ambient brightness from the front from the direction of the illuminated part of the corridor, accordingly does not need to be changed with respect to the intensity of its light emission.

The energy source may for example be attached to the shoe upper of the shoe, or - if the energy source is not formed as a solar cell - in a corresponding recess of the sole of the shoe, preferably a recess of the midsole composed of outsole and midsole sole. According to one embodiment, the energy source is arranged on a shoe pocket, also known as a shoe tongue, or in a shoe pocket, for example a compartment in the shoe pocket. The shoe bag is usually located below a lacing, a Velcro fastener or other closure in a ready-to-wear shoe. The energy source can for example be fixed to the shoe lug, or be accommodated in a compartment of the shoe pocket, for example a compartment, which is formed by a pocket of the shoe pocket. The compartment can be closed, for example by a Velcro or by a zipper. Preferably, the power source is disposed within the shoe pocket, or, when disposed on the foot-facing side of the shoe pocket, is positioned by padding for adequate comfort of wear relative to the instep. Analog can be ensured by an appropriate design of the compartment for a sufficient comfort in an arrangement within the shoe pocket. The arrangement on the shoe pocket or in the shoe pocket advantageous accessibility of the energy source is provided, which optionally facilitates interchangeability, the energy source is housed in a location where it is protected from external influences. The energy source can be permanently installed or removed. Understandably, conductor connections lead from the energy source, which in the case of removably installed Energy sources are connected to the energy sources, the corresponding energy consumer, or the energy is transmitted inductively. A charging of the power source is carried out according to developments by a detachable line-connected connection to a charger, by inductive charging, or in the case of removable energy sources by removal of the energy source from the shoe and external charging.

According to one embodiment, the control means is designed to constantly emit a minimum amount of light via the at least one light source. This advantageously allows a better visibility of the wearer of the shoe for other persons and provides an important safety aspect.

According to one embodiment, the shoe comprises an activity sensor, wherein the control means is designed to interrupt the energy supply of the at least one light source by the energy source, if inactivity over a predeterminable period of time is determined via the activity sensor, and the energy supply of the at least one light source by the energy source if an activity is detected via the activity sensor. Accordingly, if the wearer of the shoe is inactive, for example, taking a rest or sitting during a meeting while not moving his legs, the power consumption burdening the energy source can advantageously be stopped. Corresponding activity sensors can be found in

Knowing the inventive concept disclosed herein will be suitably selected by those skilled in the art. Non-limiting examples thereof include motion sensors,

Acceleration sensors, position sensors, pressure sensors or strain sensors. The predefinable time period may be fixed, for example 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes or 15 minutes, or may be predefinable.

According to one embodiment, the shoe is associated with an input device with which parameters of functions that can be realized via the shoe can be entered. A non-limiting example of such a parameter is the energy supply of the shoe, it being possible to determine via the input device whether the energy supply should be provided or interrupted, and in the latter case no light emission by the at least one light source. In a further non-limiting example, the parameter relates to a minimum intensity of light emission by the at least one light source. Accordingly, it can be determined with which minimum intensity the light emission takes place. According to a further non-limiting example, the parameter relates to a maximum intensity of the light emission by the at least one lighting means. According to one In another non-limiting example, the parameter relates to an intensity range of the light emission by the at least one luminous means, so that it can be determined with which minimum intensity and which maximum intensity the light emission occurs. In another non-limiting example, the parameter relates to a

Dependence curve between the ambient brightness that can be determined by the at least one light sensor and the intensity of the light emission by the at least one light-emitting means. According to another non-limiting example, the

Parameter a predetermined period of a detectable via an activity sensor inactivity, after the expiration of the interruption of the power supply of the at least one light source can be triggered. As a result, it may be advantageously determined which periods of inactivity make sense for a given user of a shoe as a function of its activity profile, in order to make an interruption of the power supply user-adapted.

The input device may be an input device arranged on the shoe, optionally an input device that can be arranged reversibly on the shoe. According to a particular embodiment, however, the input device is designed as an external input device, in particular as a smartphone. Between the input device and the control means of the shoe, a wireless data connection can be produced, for example via a

Bluetooth connection, a WLAN connection or a telecommunications connection, wherein in the input device and in the shoe corresponding means for providing the respective data connection are present, for example, for sending and / or receiving the relevant data. In reversible on the shoe can be arranged input devices can alternatively or additionally be provided a data connection via electrical contact. On the input device, a hardware or software for the management of the parameters is deposited, which is present in particular when designing the input device as a smartphone in the form of software. Using this hardware or software, the parameters can be managed, for example, add, delete or change.

According to a preferred embodiment, each shoe referred to herein as a shoe may be a safety shoe, being considered as safety shoes such shoes having at least one toe cap. Optionally, safety shoes still have one or more additional ones

SicherheitsTnerkmale on, for example, a protection against electrostatic

Charging, chemical-resistant materials, non-slip soles, and / or one

Penetration protection against lying on the ground pointed objects, and the like. According to a particular embodiment, it is provided that in a shoe rear region light can be permanently abtrahlbar directly via at least one light source, and / or indirectly via at least one light guide, which is connected to the at least one light emitting means, can be emitted. The radiated light contributes to better visibility of the shoe and its wearer, as the shoe is better perceived by other people. In particular, a development may be provided that the intensity of the radiated light is less than the intensity of light, which is emitted via other light sources, in particular in a shoe front area arranged bulbs. As a result, an energy saving is advantageously achieved, since the light emitted in the shoe rear area does not primarily serve to illuminate a running path, but rather the visualization of the shoe wearer, for which usually a lower intensity of the light emission is sufficient than for a direct illumination of a running path. The radiation of the light in the shoe back area can in turn be adjustable depending on the ambient brightness or take place with a constant intensity. By using a light guide, it is in particular optionally possible to achieve a light emission over a wider area than would be possible with a light source. In a further development, light is guided by a light source arranged in a shoe side area or a shoe front area into the shoe rear area by means of the light guide.

Additional features, details and / or advantages may result from the following description, with at least one exemplary embodiment being described, if appropriate with reference to the drawings. In this case, identical, similar and / or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

Show it:

1 is a schematic side view of a shoe,

2 is another schematic side view of the shoe,

Fig. 3 is a further schematic side view of the shoe.

1 shows a schematic side view of a shoe 10 with a shoe upper 12 and a shoe sole 14. Behind a transparent region 16 of the shoe sole, a light source 18 is arranged with which light can be emitted through the transparent region 16. The light-emitting means 18 is connected to an energy source 20 which is likewise arranged in the shoe sole 14. On the outside of the shoe 12, a light sensor 22 is arranged, via which the brightness in the vicinity of the shoe 10th can be determined. Via a control means 24 connected to the light sensor 22, the intensity of the light emission by the lighting means 18 is adjustable. Dotted arrows indicate data and / or energy connections between the individual components. Components drawn in dotted lines are not visible directly on the surface.

Figure 2 shows a further schematic side view of the shoe 10, wherein below the shoe 10, a reference line is indicated with section marks. The area from left to the first vertical section mark corresponds to a shoe rear area (also referred to as a shoe heel area), the area adjoining a shoe side area to the right to the next section mark, and the area adjoining the shoe top to a shoe area. front area.

FIG. 3 shows a further schematic side view of the shoe 10, wherein an energy source 20 is arranged in a compartment of a shoe pocket 26. For better understanding, the shoe pocket 26 is shown in the area of the compartment in a sectional view. The shoe pocket 26 is seen in a splayed apart from the shoe upper 12 position, but is in use of the shoe 10 usually at this fitting below corresponding portions of the shoe shaft 12 and is secured by laces, Velcro or other means.

One or more of the embodiments, further developments and examples or their features mentioned herein can be combined with one another. Moreover, while the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by way of illustrative example, the disclosed examples are by no means limitative, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, it is clear that a variety of possible variations exist. Furthermore, the aforementioned

Embodiments are really just examples that are not in any way as

Limitation of the scope of protection, the applications or the

Configuration of the invention are to be construed. Rather, the foregoing description and description of the figures enable one skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments, and those skilled in the art having the benefit of the disclosed inventive concept will appreciate various modifications, such as the function, arrangement, and / or combination of individual embodiments recited in an exemplary embodiment Elements, without departing from the scope defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanation in the description. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 shoe

12 shoe upper

14 shoe sole

16 transparent area

18 bulbs

20 energy source

22 light sensor

24 control means

26 shoe pocket

Claims

claims

A shoe (10) comprising a shoe upper (12) and a shoe sole (14), wherein at least a portion (16) of the shoe sole (14) is transparent and at least one of a power source (20) is provided in the shoe sole (14). connected light source (18) is arranged, from which through the at least one transparent area (16) light can be emitted to the outside, characterized in that the shoe (10) comprises at least one light sensor (22) and a control means (24) , wherein the intensity of the light emission by the at least one lighting means (18) is adjustable via the control means (24) as a function of an ambient brightness which can be determined by the at least one light sensor (22).

2. Shoe (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that by the at least one lighting means (24) in a shoe front area, and / or in a shoe side area, and / or in a shoe rear area and / or to the bottom an outsole of the shoe sole (14) is radiant light.

3. Shoe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that via the control means (24) with decreasing ambient brightness, an increasing light emission by the at least one lighting means (18) is adjustable.

4. Shoe (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a light sensor (22) is present, via which a representative value of

Ambient brightness can be determined.

5. Shoe (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

at least two light sensors (22a, 22b) are present.

6. Shoe (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least two lighting means (18a, 18b) are present, wherein the intensity of the light emission by the first lighting means (18a) in dependence on the light sensor (22a) determined ambient brightness is adjustable and the intensity of the

Light emission by the second light source (18b) in dependence on the detected via the light sensor (22b) ambient brightness is adjustable.

7. Shoe (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy source (16) is arranged on or in a shoe pocket (32).

8. Shoe (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control means (24) is adapted to radiate over the at least one lighting means (18) constantly a minimum amount of light.

9. Shoe (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the shoe (10) comprises an activity sensor, wherein the control means (24) is adapted, the power supply of the at least one lighting means (18) by the energy source (16 ) to interrupt, if over the activity sensor an inactivity over a predeterminable period of time is determined, and to provide the energy supply of the at least one light source (18) by the energy source (16), if an activity is detected via the activity sensor.

10. Shoe (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoe (10) is associated with an input device, with which parameters of about the shoe (10) realizable functions are entered, in particular parameters concerning

the power supply of the at least one light source (18) by the energy source (16), and / or

a minimum intensity of the light emission by the at least one lighting means (18), and / or

a maximum intensity of the light emission by the at least one luminous means (18), and / or

an intensity range of the light emission by the at least one luminous means (18), and / or

a dependence curve between the at least one light sensor (22) detectable ambient brightness and the intensity of the

Light emission by the at least one light-emitting means (18), a predeterminable period of a detectable via an activity sensor inactivity, after which the interruption of the power supply of the at least one light source (18) by the energy source (16) can be triggered.

11. shoe (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the input device is designed as an external input device, in particular as a smartphone.

12. shoe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoe (10) is designed as a safety shoe.

13 shoe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a shoe rear area light permanently directly via at least one light source (18) and / or indirectly via at least one light source connected to the at least one light source (18) can be emitted ,