EP4681570A1

EP4681570A1 - Shoe and method for manufacturing shoe

Info

Publication number: EP4681570A1
Application number: EP24770223.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shogo KAMISONO; Ayumu KIKUCHI
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-13
Filing date: 2024-01-25
Publication date: 2026-01-21
Also published as: WO2024190103A1; JPWO2024190103A1

Abstract

Shoe (100) includes: an upper (110); an insole (120); an outsole (130); and a display unit (140) capable of displaying an image. The display unit (140) includes: a display device (141) provided in a shape that follows a surface of an outer side of the upper (110); a display control device (142) that causes the display device (141) to display an image; and a casing (143) that houses the display device (141) and the display control device (142). The casing (143) includes: a holding portion (151) that is disposed on the outer side of the upper (110), and holds the display device (141) by sandwiching the display device (141); a clearance portion (152) disposed between the insole (120) and the outsole (130); and an electrical portion (153) that is disposed lower than the insole (120), and in which the display control device (142) is housed.

Description

[Technical Field]

The present disclosure relates to a shoe that includes a display device capable of displaying an image, and to a method for manufacturing the shoe.

[Background Art]

Patent Literature (PTL) 1 describes a technique related to a shoe that includes, on the surface of an outer side of the upper, a display device capable of changing color, and in which a display control device that controls the display device, a power source, and so on, are embedded in the outsole.

[Citation List]

[Patent Literature]

[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-203095

[Summary of Invention]

[Technical Problem]

However, since the upper of the shoe deforms repeatedly during walking, and the like, there is a possibility that the display device may become detached from the upper. Furthermore, when the display device deforms following the deformation of the shoe, a malfunction may occur in the display device due to repeated deformation.
The present application is conceived in view of the above-described problem and relates to a shoe capable of improving durability of a display device provided to the upper of the shoe, and to a method for manufacturing the shoe.

[Solution to Problem]

In order to achieve the aforementioned object, a shoe according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an upper; an insole coupled to a bottom portion of the upper; an outsole coupled to a bottom portion of the insole; and a display unit capable of displaying an image. The display unit includes: a display device provided in a shape that follows a surface of an outer side of the upper; a display control device that causes the display device to display an image; and a casing that houses the display device and the display control device. The casing includes: a holding portion that is disposed on the outer side of the upper, and holds the display device by sandwiching the display device; a clearance portion disposed between the insole and the outsole; and an electrical portion that is disposed lower than the insole, and in which the display control device is housed.
Furthermore, in order to achieve the aforementioned object, a method for manufacturing a shoe according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a shoe that includes: an upper; an insole coupled to a bottom portion of the upper; an outsole coupled to a bottom portion of the insole; and a display unit capable of displaying an image. The display unit includes: a display device provided in a shape that follows a surface of an outer side of the upper; a display control device that causes the display device to display an image; and a casing that houses the display device and the display control device. The casing includes: a holding portion that is disposed on the outer side of the upper, and holds the display device by sandwiching the display device; a clearance portion disposed between the insole and the outsole; and an electrical portion that is disposed lower than the insole, and in which the display control device is housed. The method includes: placing, on a surface of the upper, an inner holding portion disposed on a side of the holding portion that is closer to the upper; attaching, to a face of the insole that is closer to the outsole, an upper clearance portion disposed on a side of the clearance portion that is closer to the insole; placing the display device in a gap between the inner holding portion and an outer holding portion disposed outward of the inner holding portion; placing a conducting wire that electrically connects the display device and the display control device, in a gap between the upper clearance portion and a lower clearance portion disposed on a side of the clearance portion closer to the outsole; placing the display control device inside the electrical portion that is in a shape of a container; sealing the casing by joining the inner holding portion, the outer holding portion, the upper clearance portion, the lower clearance portion, and the electrical portion; placing the electrical portion in a housing portion provided in the outsole; and joining the upper or the insole and the outsole.

[Advantageous Effects of Invention]

The present disclosure can improve durability of a display device provided on the surface of the upper of a shoe that repeatedly deforms during walking, and the like.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

[FIG. 1]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe.
[FIG. 2]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe in a disassembled state.
[FIG. 3]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a heel portion of the shoe.
[FIG. 4]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a display unit in a disassembled state.
[FIG. 5]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of Other Example 1 of a shoe in a disassembled state.
[FIG. 6]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of Other Example 2 of a shoe in a disassembled state.
[FIG. 7]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of Other Example 3 of a shoe in a disassembled state.

[Description of Embodiments]

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a shoe and a method for manufacturing the shoe according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that each of the subsequent embodiments shows an example for describing the present disclosure, and thus is not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, structural components, the relative positional relationships and connections of the structural components, numerical values, formulas, steps, the processing order of the steps, and so on, shown in the following embodiments are mere examples, and details not described below may be included. Furthermore, although there are cases where geometric expressions, such as "parallel" and "orthogonal", are used, these expressions are not mathematically precise indications and include substantially permissible error, deviation, and the like. Moreover, expressions such as "simultaneous" and "identical (or the same)" are considered to cover a substantially permissible range of meaning.
Additionally, the drawings are schematic illustrations that may include emphasis, omission, or adjustment of proportion as necessary for the purpose of describing the present disclosure, and thus the shapes, positional relationships, and proportions shown may be different from actuality. Furthermore, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis which may be shown in the drawings are arbitrarily set rectangular coordinates for describing the figures. In other words, the Z-axis is not limited to an axis in the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are not limited to being axes inside a horizontal plane.
Furthermore, hereinafter, multiple disclosures may be comprehensively described as a single embodiment. Moreover, part of the contents in the description below is described as an optional element related to the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of shoe 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of shoe 100 in a disassembled state. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a heel portion of shoe 100. It should be noted that, although FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a shoe for the left foot, a shoe for the right foot may be the same (in mirror symmetry). Shoe 100 includes upper 110, insole 120, outsole 130, and display unit 140. The type of shoe 100 is not limited to a sports shoe (sneaker) as in the figures, and may be footwear having open toes such as a slipper, a sandal, and the like, or a boot, and the like, that covers the ankle, the shin, the calf, etc., and so on, as long as it is footwear that includes upper 110 and a sole component (including insole 120 and outsole 130).
Upper 110 is a part for securing shoe 100 to a foot of a user. The material making up upper 110 is not limited, and can be exemplified by cloth, foamed resin, natural leather, synthetic leather, and so on. Furthermore, a belt-shaped or string-shaped component that is wrapped around the instep of the foot, the ankle, or the like, is also included in upper 110.
The sole component is a component that is attached to the lower part of upper 110, and is disposed between the ground and the foot that is secured to upper 110. Although the sole component may be divided into a plurality of layers with each being given a name, in the present embodiment, the sole component is separated into two layers, and the layer of the sole component disposed on the foot-side is denoted as insole 120, and the layer of the sole component disposed on the ground-side is denoted as outsole 130.
Insole 120 is a part that is disposed at the bottom part of upper 110, and directly or indirectly comes into contact with the foot that is secured to upper 110. In the present embodiment, insole 120 is fixed to cover the bottom portion of upper 110. It should be noted that insole 120 may include a component that is removably disposed inside upper 110.
Outsole 130 is a component that is coupled to the ground-side of insole 120, dampens the shock imparted from the ground, and generates friction through contact with the ground. Housing portion 131 in which a portion of display unit 140 is housed is provided in outsole 130. In the present embodiment, as a typical example, housing portion 131 is a concave portion that opens toward the upper 110-side (insole 120-side) and is recessed toward the ground-side. Although the shape of housing portion 131 is made to correspond to the shape of the portion of display unit 140 that is to be housed, the shape need not necessarily be a matching shape as long as the portion of display unit 140 can be housed. In the present embodiment, the shape of housing portion 131 and the shape of the portion of display unit 140 that is to be housed are made to approximately match each other, and since the portion of display unit 140 that is to be housed is of a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the shape of housing portion 131 is also a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
The method for joining outsole 130 with upper 110 and insole 120 is not limited, and may be exemplified by stitching, bonding with adhesive, welding, fastening, and the like. In the present embodiment, outsole 130 can be attached to and detached from upper 110 and insole 120, and housing portion 131 can be exposed by detaching outsole 130 from upper 110 and insole 120. This makes it possible to perform maintenance on display unit 140.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of display unit 140 in a disassembled state. Display unit 140 is a unit capable of displaying at least one type of image such as a color, a pattern, text, and so on, and includes display device 141, display control device 142, and casing 143. Furthermore, display unit 140 may display video by displaying different images on a predetermined time interval basis. Here, display unit 140 may be configured to include either one or both of photovoltaic component 144 and switch 145. As an example, in the present embodiment, display unit 140 includes both photovoltaic component 144 and switch 145.
Display device 141 is a device that is provided in a shape following the surface shape of the outer side of upper 110, and can display images including video, such as a color, a pattern, text, and so on. The type of display device 141 is not limited, and can be exemplified by electronic paper, a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, and so on. Display device 141 may follow the surface shape of the outer side of upper 110 by way of its own flexibility or may be manufactured to follow the surface shape of the outer side of upper 110. In the present embodiment, display device 141 is connected to display control device 142 via flat cable 146 composed of a plurality of sheet-shaped conducting wires whose tips are provided with connectors. It should be noted that, in place of flat cable 146, a cable such as a wire harness, a cable harness, a flexible flat cable (FFC), an FP cable (FPC), or the like may be used.
The placement position of display device 141 in upper 110 is not limited and, in the present embodiment, display device 141 is provided in a curved shape so as to cover the heel portion of upper 110 from the outer side to the inner side of the foot. In the present embodiment, the upper portion of the part of display device 141 that corresponds to the back of the foot is cut out for the placement of photovoltaic component 144.
Display control device 142 is a device that causes display device 141 to display an image, and is formed on substrate 147. A connector for connecting with display device 141 is provided to substrate 147. In the present embodiment, a connector for connecting with photovoltaic component 144 and a connector for connecting with switch 145 are further provided to substrate 147. By using the connectors provided to substrate 147, display control device 142 can be easily disconnected and easily connected with display device 141, photovoltaic component 144, and switch 145.
It should be noted that battery 148, and so on, which supplies power to display device 141 and display control device 142 and is charged by photovoltaic component 144, is attached to substrate 147.
Photovoltaic component 144 is a so-called solar cell that generates power using light such as sunlight. Photovoltaic component 144 is preferably provided in a shape that follows the surface shape of the outer side of upper 110, in the same manner as display device 141. Photovoltaic component 144 may be a perovskite solar cell that follows the surface shape of the outer side of upper 110 by way of its own flexibility, or may be a silicon solar cell that is manufactured to follow the surface shape of the outer side of upper 110. In the present embodiment, photovoltaic component 144 is connected to battery 148 via a conducting wire whose tip is provided with a connector.
The placement position of photovoltaic component 144 in upper 110 is not limited and, in the present embodiment, photovoltaic component 144 is disposed to fit into the cutout provided in display device 141, which is located in a part of upper 110 that corresponds to the back of the foot. The upper edge of photovoltaic component 144 is located at the same height position as the upper edge of display device 141.
Switch 145 outputs, to display control device 142, a signal for turning ON or OFF the display of display device 141 or for switching the content displayed by display device 141, and so on. The type of switch 145 is not limited and, in the present embodiment, switch 145 is a push button switch.
Casing 143 is a component that houses display device 141 and display control device 142. In the present embodiment, casing 143 also houses photovoltaic component 144, various conducting wires, various connectors, substrate 147, battery 148, and so on. Casing 143 includes holding portion 151, clearance portion 152, and electrical portion 153.
Holding portion 151 is a part that is disposed on the outer side of upper 110, and holds at least display device 141 in a sandwiched state. In the present embodiment, holding portion 151 holds photovoltaic component 144 in a sandwiched state. Furthermore, holding portion 151 holds switch 145 at an upper end portion. The shape of holding portion 151 is a shape that corresponds to the shape of display device 141 that is to be held. In the present embodiment, holding portion 151 is in a U-shape that covers the heel portion of upper 110.
Holding portion 151 includes inner holding portion 154 disposed on the upper 110-side and outer holding portion 155 disposed outward of inner holding portion 154, and display device 141 and photovoltaic component 144 are held sandwiched between inner holding portion 154 and outer holding portion 155.
Here, upper 110 and holding portion 151 may be fixed to each other or may not be fixed to each other. Alternatively, upper 110 and holding portion 151 may be partially fixed to each other. When upper 110 and holding portion 151 are to be fixed, for example, they may be fixed by bonding using an adhesive or fixed by fastening using a screw. By fixing upper 110 and holding portion 151, the strength of the heel and its surroundings is improved. When upper 110 and holding portion 151 are not to be fixed, the part that comes into contact with the heel of a user is maintained in a similar state to that of a regular shoe, and thus the wearing comfort of the user can be ensured. In the configuration in FIG. 3, upper 110 and holding portion 151 are not fixed to each other.
Inner guard portion 156 which protrudes outward is provided integrally to the upper edge and vertically-extending edges of inner holding portion 154. Inner guard portion 156 covers the upper edge and vertically-extending edges of outer holding portion 155 that is attached. Inner guard portion 156 functions as a rib that improves the structural strength of inner holding portion 154. Furthermore, joining inner guard portion 156 and outer holding portion 155 using an adhesive, or the like, improves the degree of sealing between inner guard portion 156 and outer holding portion 155.
Outer guard portion 157 which protrudes inward is provided integrally to the upper edge of outer holding portion 155. The abutting of outer guard portion 157 against the face on the outer side of inner holding portion 154 secures a space (gap) into which display device 141 and photovoltaic component 144 are placed. Outer guard portion 157 functions as a rib that improves the structural strength of outer holding portion 155. Joining outer guard portion 157 and inner guard portion 156 in a vertically overlapping state using an adhesive, or the like, improves the degree of sealing between inner holding portion 154 and outer holding portion 155. Outer holding portion 155 includes wall portion 158 that separates display device 141 and photovoltaic component 144 that are held in a sandwiched state, and determines the position of photovoltaic component 144.
Clearance portion 152 is a part that is fixed to shoe 100 in a state of being sandwiched between insole 120 and outsole 130, and holds holding portion 151 in a predetermined position on the outer side of upper 110. Clearance portion 152 is plate-shaped, and the shape of the backside edge curves corresponding to U-shaped holding portion 151.
Clearance portion 152 includes upper clearance portion 161 disposed on the insole 120-side and lower clearance portion 162 disposed on the outsole 130-side.
Upper clearance portion 161 is in the shape of a flat plate. Inner holding portion 154 extends integrally from a portion of the peripheral edge of upper clearance portion 161. Accordingly, the structural strength of inner holding portion 154 and upper clearance portion 161 can be improved.
Lower clearance portion 162 is in the shape of a flat plate. Outer holding portion 155 extends integrally from a portion of the peripheral edge of lower clearance portion 162. Accordingly, the structural strength of outer holding portion 155 and lower clearance portion 162 can be improved. Insertion hole 163 that penetrates through the thickness direction (vertical direction) and communicates with the inner space of electrical portion 153 is provided in lower clearance portion 162. Furthermore, wiring trench 164 that communicates with insertion hole 163 is provided in at least one of lower clearance portion 162 and upper clearance portion 161 (in the present embodiment, only in lower clearance portion 162). Wiring extending from display device 141, photovoltaic component 144, and switch 145 can be connected to display control device 142 housed in electrical portion 153, by being laid out in wiring trench 164 and passed through insertion hole 163.
Electrical portion 153 is a part that is disposed in housing portion 131 of outsole 130 and in which at least display control device 142 is housed. In the present embodiment, electrical portion 153 is in the shape of a container that opens toward clearance portion 152, and houses display control device 142, battery 148, substrate 147, and so on, in an inner housing space. The shape of electrical portion 153 is not limited, and a shape capable of housing at least display control device 142 is sufficient. Flange portion 165 is provided on the rim of the opening edge of electrical portion 153. Flange portion 165 increases the contact area with the bottom surface of lower clearance portion 162, thereby improving the degree of sealing between flange portion 165 and lower clearance portion 162 that is connected thereto.
When attached to lower clearance portion 162, electrical portion 153 is sealed except for insertion hole 163, and is in a waterproof state. Furthermore, electrical portion 153 is attached to lower clearance portion 162 in such a way as to be detachable from lower clearance portion 162.
The material of casing 143 is not particularly limited, and the parts of outer holding portion 155 that are located opposite to display device 141 and photovoltaic component 144 consist of a material having light transmitting capability, such as a transparent or semi-transparent material. Accordingly, images displayed by display device 141 is visible from the outside, and light can be made to reach photovoltaic component 144. In the present embodiment, the material of casing 143 is resin. Inner holding portion 154 and upper clearance portion 161 are integrally formed by resin molding. Furthermore, outer holding portion 155 and lower clearance portion 162 are also integrally formed by resin molding. Electrical portion 153 is also a resin molding product.
Next, an example of a method of manufacturing display unit 140 will be described. Display device 141, photovoltaic component 144, and switch 145 are each attached to outer holding portion 155, and the conducting wires extending from each of display device 141, photovoltaic component 144, and switch 145 are laid out in wiring trench 164 of lower clearance portion 162 that is integrated with outer holding portion 155. The connectors provided to the respective conducting wires are passed through insertion hole 163. Inner holding portion 154 and upper clearance portion 161 which are integrated are connected to outer holding portion 155 and lower clearance portion 162 which are integrated. The connection method is not limited and, in the present embodiment, connection using an adhesive is given as an example. The adhesive is applied along the edges to seal the space between inner holding portion 154 and outer holding portion 155, except insertion hole 163. Furthermore, adhesive is applied planarly between upper clearance portion 161 and lower clearance portion 162. It should be noted that wiring trench 164 and insertion hole 163 may be filled with adhesive, or the like.
Next, the connectors that are drawn out from insertion hole 163 are coupled with the corresponding connectors in substrate 147, and substrate 147 is housed in electrical portion 153. Flange portion 165 of electrical portion 153 and lower clearance portion 162 are connected using adhesive to ensure a sealed state.
In this manner, casing 143 achieves a sealed state, and thus the entry of liquids such as water can be prevented, and devices and components housed inside casing 143 can be protected from liquids. Furthermore, with the structural strength of casing 143, the devices and components housed inside casing 143 can be protected from pressure imparted from outside. Of course, casing 143 can also prevent the entry of solids such as sand and dust.
Next, inner holding portion 154 disposed on the upper 110-side of holding portion 151 is placed on the surface of upper 110, upper clearance portion 161 disposed on the insole120-side of clearance portion 152 is attached to the face of insole 120 that is on the outsole 130-side, electrical portion 153 is placed in housing portion 131 provided in outsole 130, and upper 110, insole 120, and outsole 130 are joined. In this manner, shoe 100 is manufactured.
Shoe 100 according to the embodiment includes: upper 110; insole 120 coupled to a bottom portion of upper 110; outsole 130 coupled to a bottom portion of insole 110; and display unit 140 capable of displaying an image. Display unit 140 includes: display device 141 provided in a shape that follows a surface of an outer side of upper 110; display control device 142 that causes display device 141 to display an image; and casing 143 that houses display device 141 and display control device 142. Casing 143 includes: holding portion 151 that is disposed on the outer side of upper 110, and holds display device 141 by sandwiching display device 141; clearance portion 152 disposed between insole 120 and outsole 130; and electrical portion 153 that is disposed lower than insole 120, and in which display control device 142 is housed.
According to shoe 100 as described above, it is possible to prevent display device 141 from deforming, or falling off from upper 110, or malfunctioning, due to the warping of shoe 100 during walking, and the like. Furthermore, even when shoe 100 gets wet due to rain, or the like, water does not seep inside because casing 143 is sealed, and thus display device 141 and display control device 142, and so on, can be protected from water.
Furthermore, holding portion 151 includes: inner holding portion 154 disposed on a side closer to upper 110; and outer holding portion 155 disposed outward of inner holding portion 154. Clearance portion 152 includes: upper clearance portion 161 disposed on a side closer to insole 120; and lower clearance portion 162 disposed on a side closer to outsole 130. Electrical portion 153 is in a shape of a container that opens toward clearance portion 152.
According to shoe 100 as described above, display device 141, which is capable of displaying an image, can be easily placed on the outer side of upper 110, and display control device 142 can be easily placed in outsole 130.
Furthermore, lower clearance portion 162 and electrical portion 153 are attachable and detachable so as to be waterproof when attached.
According to shoe 100 as described above, display unit 140 can be easily maintained.
Furthermore, inner holding portion 154 extends integrally from a portion of a peripheral edge of upper clearance portion 161, and outer holding portion 155 extends integrally from a portion of a peripheral edge of lower clearance portion 162.
According to shoe 100 as described above, casing 143 can be structurally strengthened, and thus display device 141 can be sufficiently protected even if shoe 100 is formed using a light material.
Furthermore, shoe 100 further includes photovoltaic component 144 that generates power using light. Photovoltaic component 144 is housed in holding portion 151.
According to shoe 100 as described above, the power required to display images can be supplied to battery 148 without having to open casing 143.
Furthermore, a method for manufacturing shoe 100 according to the embodiment is a method for manufacturing shoe 100 that includes: upper 110; insole 120 coupled to a bottom portion of upper 110; outsole 130 coupled to a bottom portion of insole 110; and display unit 140 capable of displaying an image. Display unit 140 includes: display device 141 provided in a shape that follows a surface of an outer side of upper 110; display control device 142 that causes display device 141 to display an image; and casing 143 that houses display device 141 and display control device 142. Casing 143 includes: holding portion 151 that is disposed on the outer side of upper 110, and holds display device 141 by sandwiching display device 141; clearance portion 152 disposed between insole 120 and outsole 130; and electrical portion 153 that is disposed lower than insole 120, and in which display control device 142 is housed. The method includes: placing, on a surface of upper 110, inner holding portion disposed 154 on a side of holding portion 151 that is closer to upper 110; attaching, to a face of insole 120 that is closer to outsole 130, upper clearance portion 161 disposed on a side of clearance portion 152 that is closer to insole 120; placing display device 141 in a gap between inner holding portion 154 and outer holding portion 155 disposed outward of inner holding portion 154; placing a conducting wire that electrically connects display device 141 and display control device 142, in a gap between upper clearance portion 161 and lower clearance portion 162 disposed on a side of clearance portion 152 closer to outsole 130; placing display control device 142 inside electrical portion 153 that is in a shape of a container; sealing casing 143 by joining inner holding portion 154, outer holding portion 155, upper clearance portion 161, lower clearance portion 162, and electrical portion 153; placing electrical portion 153 in a housing portion provided in outsole 130; and joining upper 110 or insole 120 and outsole 130.
According to such a method for manufacturing shoe 100, the manufacturing of upper 110 and outsole 130 and the manufacturing of display unit 140 can be separated, thereby enabling improvement of manufacturing efficiency of shoe 100.
It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, other embodiments that can be realized by arbitrarily combining structural elements or removing some structural elements described in the present Specification may be embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, variations obtainable through various modifications to the above-described embodiments that can be conceived by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the essence of the present disclosure, that is, the meaning of the recitations in the Claims are included in the present disclosure.
For example, the method for joining the respective components making up casing 143 is not limited to an adhesive, and welding, fastening, or the like, are acceptable. In particular, for example, in the joining of lower clearance portion 162 and electrical portion 153, a trench for an O-ring may be provided on the upper edge face of flange portion 165 of electrical portion 153, and lower clearance portion 162 and electrical portion 153 may be joined using a fastening component such as a bolt or the like. Accordingly, in the state in which lower clearance portion 162 and electrical portion 153 are fastened, the O-ring can ensure a waterproof state. Furthermore, when the fastening is released, electrical portion 153 can be separated from lower clearance portion 162, thereby making it possible to maintain display control device 142, and so on.
Furthermore, instead of including photovoltaic component 144, a power generating component that generates power through the vibration caused by walking, or the like, a power generating component that generates power through the changing of pressure created during walking, or the like, a power generating component such as a coil that generates power through electromagnetic induction from the outside of shoe 100, or the like, may be included. When these power generating components are included, they are placed at positions for which ease of power generation is taken into consideration. For example, when a power generating component that generates power through vibration is to be used, the power generating component is arranged so that the walking direction and the vibration detecting direction approximately coincide. When a power generating component that generates power through the changing of pressure is to be used, the power generating component is placed in any position in the bottom portion (in the upper face portion or lower face portion of the sole component, in between the insole and the outsole, inside the insole or the outsole, or the like) of shoe 100. When a power generating component that generates power through electromagnetic induction is to be used, the power generating component is placed in the lower face portion, and the like, of the sole component.
Furthermore, the part where display device 141 is disposed is not limited to the heel and its surroundings, and may be in the toes, the instep of the foot, the side of the foot, and so on. Furthermore, the entirety of upper 110 may be covered by display device 141. Moreover, a plurality of display devices 141 may be placed at different positions in upper 110, such as at the toes and the heel portion, at the instep of the foot and the heel portion, and so on.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when shoe 100 is viewed directly from the side, outsole 130 has a continuous structure spanning the entirety from the toe to the heel. However, aside from such structure, outsole 130 may have a structure that is divided into a plurality of parts, as illustrated in FIG. 5. For example, out of the entirety from the toe to the heel, outsole 130 may be split into two at midpoint in the front and back direction. Furthermore, in outsole 130 that has been split, an appropriate space may be further provided between the toe-side portion and the heel-side portion. In this case, housing portion 131 may be provided in the toe-side portion or may be provided in the heel-side portion.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as a typical example, housing portion 131 is of a concave shape that opens toward the upper 110-side (insole 120-side) and is recessed toward the ground-side. However, housing portion 131 need not be in such a shape. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, housing portion 131 provided to outsole 130 may be of a shape in which part of the wall-shaped portion surrounding electrical portion 153 is cut off when shoe 100 is viewed directly from the side. In this case, the entirety or a part of the spatial portion that results when outsole 130 is cutoff from the end portion on the heel-side toward the toe-side becomes housing portion 131.
Furthermore, the depth of the cut in the direction from the end portion on the heel-side toward the toe-side may be constant at a position in the width direction of shoe 100 or a position in the vertical direction of shoe 100, or may vary. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the cut near the center in the width direction of shoe 100 may be deep, and the cut near the side faces of shoe 100 may be shallow. It should be noted that when outsole 130 has such a cut out shape, a cover for covering the cutout portion may be attached to display unit 140 and outsole 130.

[Industrial Applicability]

The present disclosure is useable in all types of shoes such as leather shoes, sneakers, sandals, boots, flat shoes, and so on.

[Reference Signs List]

100: shoe
110: upper
120: insole
130: outsole
131: housing portion
140: display unit
141: display device
142: display control device
143: casing
144: photovoltaic component
145: switch
146: flat cable
147: substrate
148: battery
151: holding portion
152: clearance portion
153: electrical portion
154: inner holding portion
155: outer holding portion
156: inner guard portion
157: outer guard portion
158: wall portion
161: upper clearance portion
162: lower clearance portion
163: insertion hole
164: wiring trench
165: flange portion

Claims

A shoe comprising:
an upper;

an insole coupled to a bottom portion of the upper;

an outsole coupled to a bottom portion of the insole; and

a display unit capable of displaying an image, wherein

the display unit includes:
a display device provided in a shape that follows a surface of an outer side of the upper;

a display control device that causes the display device to display an image; and

a casing that houses the display device and the display control device, and

the casing includes:
a holding portion that is disposed on the outer side of the upper, and holds the display device by sandwiching the display device;

a clearance portion disposed between the insole and the outsole; and

an electrical portion that is disposed lower than the insole, and in which the display control device is housed.
The shoe according to claim 1, wherein
the holding portion includes:
an inner holding portion disposed on a side closer to the upper; and

an outer holding portion disposed outward of the inner holding portion,

the clearance portion includes:
an upper clearance portion disposed on a side closer to the insole; and

a lower clearance portion disposed on a side closer to the outsole, and

the electrical portion is in a shape of a container that opens toward the clearance portion.
The shoe according to claim 2, wherein
the lower clearance portion and the electrical portion are attachable and detachable so as to be waterproof when attached.
The shoe according to claim 2, wherein
the inner holding portion extends integrally from a portion of a peripheral edge of the upper clearance portion, and

the outer holding portion extends integrally from a portion of a peripheral edge of the lower clearance portion.
The shoe according to claim 1 comprising:
a photovoltaic component that generates power using light, wherein

the photovoltaic component is housed in the holding portion.
A method for manufacturing a shoe,
the shoe including: an upper; an insole coupled to a bottom portion of the upper; an outsole coupled to a bottom portion of the insole; and a display unit capable of displaying an image,

the display unit including: a display device provided in a shape that follows a surface of an outer side of the upper; a display control device that causes the display device to display an image; and a casing that houses the display device and the display control device,

the casing including: a holding portion that is disposed on the outer side of the upper, and holds the display device by sandwiching the display device; a clearance portion disposed between the insole and the outsole; and an electrical portion that is disposed lower than the insole, and in which the display control device is housed, the method comprising:
placing, on a surface of the upper, an inner holding portion disposed on a side of the holding portion that is closer to the upper;

attaching, to a face of the insole that is closer to the outsole, an upper clearance portion disposed on a side of the clearance portion that is closer to the insole;

placing the display device in a gap between the inner holding portion and an outer holding portion disposed outward of the inner holding portion;

placing a conducting wire that electrically connects the display device and the display control device, in a gap between the upper clearance portion and a lower clearance portion disposed on a side of the clearance portion closer to the outsole;

placing the display control device inside the electrical portion that is in a shape of a container;

sealing the casing by joining the inner holding portion, the outer holding portion, the upper clearance portion, the lower clearance portion, and the electrical portion;

placing the electrical portion in a housing portion provided in the outsole; and

joining the upper or the insole and the outsole.