FR2675025A1 - Sole illuminated by an electronic device which may or may not be actuated by walking - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sole (12) illuminated by an electronic device, the essential elements of which are an integrated circuit mounted as a multivibrator (trigger circuit) (3), LEDs (1), a miniature sensitive switch (10) actuated by walking, which does not go out on the flat, an invertor (9) with three positions: stopping, flashing independently of walking, flashing caused by pressing the foot on the ground. The battery (8), which has a large capacity compared with the consumption rate of the device, is accessible via a window (14) from the inside of the shoe, as is the inverter. According to another embodiment, the control may be manipulated from the outside while retaining the leaktight state of the sole. Recommended, above all, for signalling at night. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a sole equipped with a flashing light electronic device and its supply system.

Bright sole is primarily intended and night signaling, to ensure the safety of the user against other road users, and monitoring of children in the evening. But it may just be considered a pleasant and original accessory.

Are especially concerned athletes (cyclists, runners and walkers, etc ...) and children (from school, even walk together ...).

The well-known electrical device used for Posche lamps (battery circuit comprising bulb and switch) has not been selected:
The autonomy of such a device is a few hours, even using the most sophisticated batteries, and most expensive, currently marketed, taking into account that the battery needs to be sufficiently compact to be inserted into a shoe. Such a device therefore is likely to fail in use, and frequently, making it very precarious its signaling function.

The blinking electronic device called overcomes this disadvantage, because:
1 / amperage required for its supply is very low on the order of tens of milliamps
2 / extinction happens during flashing is controlled very precisely by a multivibrator, for example 2/10 of a second for 0.02 seconds of illumination, which divides by 10 the conemmée energy.

11 Consequently, the consumption of the electronic device according to the invention is very small compared to the capacity (mAh) batteries usable seen their footprint.

The autonomy of the recommended device can thus reach a length of around 200 hours. without loss of efficiency.

Light bulbs get hot when lit, and this heating can cause damage to the sole; in the invention is not used blisters but LEDs (light emitting diodes) which does not heat, we can place the LED in direct contact with the sole (and not in a large cavity or a housing insulator), and it is unnecessary for the hole where they are placed leads to the outside, which allows, if the sole is made of a waterproof material, to comply with this tightness; the user can walk in wet grass without fear of causing a fault.

A particular electronic component, the sensitive IP EO switch is used to cause at every step, during the ascent of the foot, a burst of fast flashes, with off at a continuous flashing as foot supports zur the sole; This sensor switch, thanks to its extremely short stroke and miniaturization, is not noticeable by the user, which is essential in sports. The flashing burst, inbabituel, draws particular attention.

Also made dispositifon user an inverter to @ positions: a position authorizes the game between sensor; another corresponds to a continuous flicker, independent of the action of the sensor switch, for example essential for cyclists; @ the third position corresponds to a total halt, eg for daytime use.

The entire electronic device and its power lies in one piece, which facilitates its installation in a cavity provided for this purpose in the sole.

According to particular embodiments:
1) The inverter 3 position is removed, and placed in a periphery inverter 2 pushbutton positions with commander holding position the starting or stopping; the push button being located in a flexible material sole (e.g. elastomer), a short distance from the outer surface of the sole, can be actuated through this low thickness flexible material.

This method allows to actuate the on or off without having to remove their shoes, while maintaining the sealing of the sole; providing illumination for walking and / or independent of the march, according to particular embodiments explained below, using FIGS.

2) The circuit can be miniaturized (e.g. using Surface Mounted Components).

Fig.1: Schematic electronic principle.

Fig2 and 3 device according to the invention; Fig.2 provides a site plan of the components on the circuit; fig.3 shows a top view and a sectional view of the illuminating device equipped with the sole.

Fig. 4,5,6: variants of the device according to the invention, using a start / stop push button device.

Referring to Fig. 1, an integrated circuit 555 (3) mounted in the astable multivibrator provides pulses which will stimulate the circuit. The times t1 and t2 during which the LED (1) are respectively switched on and off are determined by the values ​​R4 and R5 resistors (4) and (5) and the capacitance C of the capacitor (6) according to the formulas:
t1 = 0.693 x C x R 5
t2 = 0.693 × (R4 + R5) x C
The brightness of the LED (1) is determined by the value of the resistor (2) depending on the supply voltage. The number of LED (1) is not limited to 2.

The inverter (9) has @ Positions:
- rest position
- position allowing the charging of the capacitor (7) when the switch (10) is actuated, which causes the LED flashes burst (1).

- position where the switch (10) is no longer operational, the flashing is uninterrupted.

For example, components list:
(1): 10268 LTL LED (light intensity 100 CDM)
or
LED H 500 (500 cdm, GaAlAs / GaAs technology)
(2): R 100 Ohme - 3 not
(3): integrated circuit ICL 7555
(4): R 220k - 3 not
(5): R 27k - 3 not
(6): tantalum capacitor 1 micro-farad
(7): tantalum capacitor 4.7 micro-farads
(8): IEC 4LR61 battery (6 V), or, connected in series, four cells
LR 03 1.5 V or 1.35 V @ 9 MR changing the value of n
the resistor (2) and the capacitor (7)), or else ...

(9): inverter 3 RTE 0300 OUR positions
(10): IP sensitive switch 03
Fig.3: A imprié circuit "flex-rigid" is composed of a flexible part (1.1) and two rigid parts (1.2) and (1.3) held together by pressure. The rigid part (1.3) supports the sensor switch (10), connacté the rest of the system by the son (11) flowing in the flexible portion (1.1). The sensitive switch (10) is located in an area where the pressure required to put at stake is exerted both when walking as lore of the race. The rigid part (1.2) supports (the) stack (5) (8), and the rest of electronic components LED (1).

The assembly in one piece, is déosé in a cavity provided for this purpose in the sole. A sole (12), transparent to the monk at the LED, is superimposed a first (13) danz 1aquelle is practiced a window (14) bevelled, which allows access to the stack (8) and the inverter (9). This window is lined with a foam (15). A sockliner may be superimposed. If desired, one paut paste the face of the circuit in contact with the soleplate with a non-conductive adhesive, and immersing the electronic components in Part 1.2 in soft silicone or a suitable resin.

Fig.2; detail of the portion (1.2) of the printed circuit. A component layout plan is proposed. The nomenclature is identical to that of Figure 1. For the terminals (16) are connected tongues ensuring the contact with the cell whose contour has been Figure (8). The circuit are fixed two vertical partitions (17) forming a housing and a horizontal partition (18) fitting in the groove provided for this purpose on the stack.

Fig.4,5,6 In these other embodiments, an inverter device push button (19), welded to a rigid circuit portion and connected to the rest of the system by circulating son in a flexible circuit portion, control the on or off:
- Fig.4, it controls only a continuous flashing.

- Fig.5, it is associated with the switch (10), allowing or not the illumination support of the foot on the ground.

- Fig.6, it is associated with the switch (10), and another inverter 2-position (20) (as it peripheral push-button controlled from the outside, or simply accessible through a window formed in the first mounting) which controls either the lighting by pressing the foot on the ground or the independent lighting of the switch (10).

These examples of embodiment show a single concept, showing that the system size and arrangement of its components may vary by using different techniques of component mounting (miniaturization) of different volume of batteries, different control members to optimizer adapting the system to various structural soles and destination.

Claims (5)

1 / Light sole characterized in that the light is provided by an electronic device comprising among other elements of an integrated circuit mounted in multivibra tor (3) Electro Luminescent Diode (1), and provided with members (9), (19), (20), (10), as applicable, controlling the lighting functions by pressing the foot on the ground without extinction flat and (or) an independent lighting of walking, and a supply ( 8) high capacity in relation to consumption.

2 / light sole according to claim 1 characterized in that the electronic device is actuated when the pressure of the foot on the ground by a miniature sensor switch with small stroke (10).

3 / light sole according to the preceding claims characterized in that an inverter 3 position (9) control is the total judgment, a flashing burst depending on the sensor switch (10) or a continuous blinking, independent of the action of the sensory interrur (10).

4 / light sole according to claim 1 characterized in that no element of the luminous electronic device or its control elements is exteriorized, sealing outer surfaces being ensured solely by the choice of materials constituting the sole.

5 / bright sole according to the preceding claim characterized in that it is actuated by one or two inverters (19) and optionally (20) provided with a push button that is operated from outside of the sole through a flexible low material thickness.