KR102049071B1 - Functional shoes using piezo-electric element - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a functional shoe using a piezoelectric element. More specifically, the present invention relates to the functional shoe which generates electricity by mounting the piezoelectric element to a shoe to which a load is applied when walking, and the generated electricity is transmitted to a toe stimulation module installed in the insole of the shoe to continuously stimulate toes of a user, thereby being able to provide an effect of muscle relaxation and blood circulation through toe stimulation rather than an existing sole.

Description

FUNCTIONAL SHOES USING PIEZO-ELECTRIC ELEMENT}

The present invention relates to a functional shoe using a piezoelectric element, and more particularly, to generate electricity by mounting a piezoelectric element to a shoe to which a load is applied when walking, the generated electricity is transmitted to the toe stimulation module installed in the insole of the shoe The present invention relates to a functional shoe that can provide muscle relaxation and blood circulation effects through stimulation of the toes instead of the sole of the foot, such that the user's toes are continuously stimulated.

Due to the improvement of living standards and the various desires of consumers, many kinds of shoes with various designs are manufactured, and special shoes for each function are also released in various ways. Thus, shoes have gradually developed from a single means for protecting a foot to a device having various functions. For example, safety shoes for special workers, diet shoes without heels, and shoes for diabetic patients are shoes that emphasize their functionality for each use, and the production of these functional shoes is gradually increasing.

Accordingly, in oriental medicine, a means for acupressure or stimulation on the foot where the acupoints interacting with the organs of the human body is distributed is used as a health or therapeutic aid by combining shoes. As a general method, the surface of the shoe insole is irregularly made so that the sole pressure is achieved, and the electric stimulation pad is formed on the insole surface where the sole is in contact with the sole, and the electric stimulation to the acupuncture points or skin continuously while wearing the shoes to relax the muscles Provides the function or function to promote blood circulation.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0536919 (registered Dec. 13, 2005; hereafter referred to as 'Previous Document 1') suggested functional shoes. The prior document 1, in the shoe, a power generation unit consisting of a piezoelectric element for generating instantaneous current and voltage by an external force applied from the outside; A plurality of acupressure parts made of a conductive material and formed at portions where nerve points of the soles of the soles connected to the organs of the human body are located; And a conduction unit connected to the power generation unit and the acupressure unit to transfer the generated current and voltage to the acupressure unit. The conductive unit is configured to include physical acupressure and microcurrent conduction of specific nerve points of the sole by external force applied while walking. Suggests functional shoes made at the same time.

In addition, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0795830 (registered on January 11, 2008; hereafter referred to as 'Previous Document 2'), and Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0045846 (published on May 04, 2011; ) And Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0057726 (published on June 1, 2011; hereinafter referred to as 'prior document 4') is also presenting a functional shoe.

The prior art documents 1 to 4 all generate electricity from piezoelectric elements, which are self-generating means, to provide electrical stimulation. However, the treatment of toe palsy patients is difficult because the stimulation sites are limited to the soles of the feet.

In addition, the acupuncture points of the foot are also formed at the bottom and side and the upper surface of the toe and the part connected to the sole, but since the toe shape is connected to the sole in a convex form, the flat surface of the shoe insole has a flat electric stimulation pad. Only a partial contact did not make full use of the acupuncture points on the toes. Acupressure protrusions could of course stimulate the convex lower surface of the toe, but could not provide a wide range of stimuli including the toe side or the top of the toe.

In particular, the toe is more sensitive than the sole of the foot, so even if the electric strength is small, it can greatly amplify the massage effect by the stimulation, the need for functional shoes using electric stimulation of the toe area has emerged.

Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0536919 (registered on Dec. 13, 2005): Functional shoes Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0795830 (registered on Jan. 11, 2008): Functional Shoes Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0045846 (2011.05.04.Publication): functional shoes Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0057726 (January 1, 2011)

Functional shoes using the piezoelectric element of the present invention for solving the problems of the prior art as described above,

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a new functional shoe that can provide massage function and blood circulation function by muscle stimulation by placing electric toe around the toe by placing a toe stimulation module that wraps the toe in the part of the shoe insole.

Functional shoes using the piezoelectric element of the present invention for solving the above problems,

A functional shoe using a piezoelectric element, the functional shoe comprising: a piezoelectric element installed on a shoe sole and generating electricity by repeated pressing when walking, and an electric generator including a power supply line for supplying electricity generated from the piezoelectric element; The toe inside the shoe is installed in the part to be settled to enclose the toe to cover a part or the whole, the toe stabilizing unit for applying electric stimulation to the outer surface of the toe with electricity generated by the electric generator;

In addition, the toe stabilizer, the body is mounted on the shoe insole and the body protruding in the form of a semi-circle or ring or a projection that is sandwiched between the toes to individually wrap the toes; Is formed on the inner surface of the body in contact with the toe surface placed, the stimulation pad for supplying electricity received from the electricity generating device; is configured to include.

In addition, the toe stabilizer is integrally formed with one or two plugs electrically connected to the magnetic pole pads on the bottom surface, and the inside of the shoe is provided with a socket corresponding to the plug and electrically connected to the electricity generating device to the plug of the toe stabilizer It can be plugged into an internal socket and used.

In addition, the electricity generating device, a power storage unit for storing the electricity generated in the piezoelectric element; It is configured to further include; a control unit for adjusting the intensity of electricity delivered to the toe settled.

Wherein the stimulation pad is provided in the form of a point, when the projection of the toe stabilizer body is a semi-circular shape, respectively formed on the bottom surface and both sides of the inner surface of the body, when the projection of the toe stabilizer body is ring-shaped and the bottom surface of the inner surface of the body It is formed on both sides and the upper surface, respectively, and when the protrusion of the toe stabilizer body is in the form of a column, respectively formed in the inner wall in contact with the toes, the electrical stimulation can be made along the circumference of the toes.

In addition, the control unit may supply electricity to a plurality of point-shaped stimulation pads at the same time to apply electrical stimulation to the toes or electrical stimulation at different times, intervals and intensities.

The stimulation pad may be provided in the form of a band formed along the inner surface of the body, such that electrical stimulation may be simultaneously performed on the lower side of the toe or the entire toe circumference.

Functional shoes using the piezoelectric element of the present invention by the above solution means,

The piezoelectric element is mounted on the shoe to produce electricity on its own, and electrical stimulation is performed on the toe portion where nerves are more sensitive than the sole of the foot through the toe stimulation module, thereby providing a large stimulating effect even when the electric strength is weak.

In addition, the toe stimulation module protrudes to cover the entire toe or the lower side to increase the contact surface as well as the bottom or side of the toe to provide a massage function by the electrical stimulation in various directions.

Such electric stimulation through the entire toe is able to provide useful shoes that can contribute to the recovery of health by utilizing as a treatment aid for toe palsy patients or patients requiring periodic electric stimulation of the foot.

1 is a perspective view of main parts of functional shoes according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A and 2B are cross-sectional views taken along line AA and BB of FIG. 1.
Figure 3a to 3c is a block diagram schematically showing the connection form of the electric generating device and the toe stabilizer according to the present invention.
Figures 4a to 4e is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the various forms of the toe stabilizer according to the present invention.
Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment in which the toe stabilizer and the sole of the shoe according to the invention coupled in the form of a socket and a plug.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention may be modified in various ways and may have various forms, and specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the present invention. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific disclosed form, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals are used for similar elements. In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of the structures are shown to be enlarged or reduced than actual for clarity of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise", "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, or combination thereof described on the specification, and one or the same. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, or a combination thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those generally used and defined in the dictionary should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art, and shall not be construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. .

1 and 2a and 2b is a vertical cross-sectional view cut in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the main portion of the functional shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the functional shoe 10 according to the present invention includes an electric generator 30 and a toe stabilizer 40.

The electricity generating device 30, the piezoelectric element 31 is installed on the sole of the shoe to produce electricity by repeated pressing during walking, and the toe guards using the electricity generated by the piezoelectric element 31 ( And a power supply line 32 for supplying to 40.

The piezoelectric element 31 may be formed on the entire surface or part of the sole of the shoe, and the piezoelectric element is configured to directly protrude to the sole surface of the shoe, or is installed inward so that a part of the shoe sole protrudes to the outside and the outer surface of the shoe is made of resin. It may be provided in a structure that is covered with zero sealing. In addition, by installing a pressure rod in the piezoelectric element 31, the walking load generated during walking can be transmitted to the piezoelectric element through the pressure rod to concentrate the load on the piezoelectric element, thereby increasing the amount of electricity generated. Since the piezoelectric element 31 is installed on the heel portion of the shoe sole to receive the high pressing force applied to the weight, it is preferable that the piezoelectric element 31 is installed to be deflected on the heel portion of the shoe surface.

When one end of the piezoelectric element 31 is in contact with the power supply line 32 and electricity is produced by pressure, the power supply line 32 may be transferred to the toe support 40 so that electrical stimulation may be performed on the toe. The power supply line 32 may form a groove in the sole 20 between the piezoelectric element 31 and the toe stabilizer 40, and may be installed in the groove to supply power.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the piezoelectric element 31 and the toe stabilizer 40 are directly connected to the power supply line 32 so that when the electricity is generated from the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element 31 and the toe stabilizer 40 are immediately transferred to the toe stabilizer 40 so that electrical stimulation is performed. do.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, a power storage unit 33 and a controller 34 may be installed on the power supply line 32 between the piezoelectric element 31 and the toe stabilizer 40.

The control unit 34 is connected to the operation signal input unit 35, so that the electricity generated from the piezoelectric element 31 is usually supplied to the power storage unit 33 to be charged, and the operation signal input unit 35 When the operation signal is input from the control unit 34 may transmit the electricity charged in the power storage unit 33 to the toe stabilizer 40 to electric stimulation of the toes. In addition, the control unit 34 may adjust the intensity of electricity to perform stimulation by a suitable intensity. The electric strength control may be controlled to be output at a constant intensity from the controller itself, or by forming a separate setting unit on the outside to adjust the electric strength from the setting unit, and the electric strength may be controlled by the operation signal input unit. The operation signal input unit 35 is configured in the form of a smartphone and a local area network connected to the operation signal transmission from the smartphone, or consists of a button formed on the side of the shoe to enable the operation signal is transmitted to the control unit by the button operation. have.

The power storage unit 33 may further include a battery mounting module 332 for mounting a battery from the outside in addition to the charging power module 331 for storing electricity generated by the piezoelectric element 31. When the battery mounting module 332 is provided in the power storage unit 33 as shown in FIG. 3c, the toe stabilizer 40 is charged by the charging power module 331 which is normally charged by the piezoelectric element 31. When power is supplied and the voltage of the charging power module 331 is low, the control unit 34 supplies the toe support 40 to the toe support 40 through a process of supplying electricity from the battery mounting module 332 to the toe support 40. The current is continuously provided to provide a massage effect by electric stimulation. For example, the controller 34 checks the voltage of the charging power module 331 and supplies electricity of the charging power module 331 to the toe stabilizer 40 only when the voltage is equal to or above a predetermined voltage or the set voltage. When the voltage is less than or equal to the predetermined voltage or the set voltage, the power supply to the toe stabilizer 40 through the battery mounting module 332 can perform electrical stimulation in the toe stabilizer.

4a and 4b are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing another toe restraint in the embodiment of the present invention.

As referred to, the toe stabilizer 40 is disposed in the width direction of the foot is composed of a body 41 having a projection inserted between the toes, and a magnetic pole pad 42 disposed on the inner surface of the body.

The body 41 is formed of a bottom portion 411 fixed to the insole surface of the shoe, and a protrusion 412 protruding upward from the bottom portion and inserted between the toes. The bottom portion 411 may be integrally coupled to the front portion of the shoe seating or detachably attached to the front portion of the shoe mounting by a Velcro tape or a screw, and the protrusion 412 may have a gentle gap between the protrusion and the protrusion. It can be connected in a curve to wrap the toes to increase adhesion.

Here, the protrusion 412 may protrude to cover the toes, and may be formed to be convex toward the upper side so as to be in close contact with the bottom of the toes in a part of the shoe seating surface. The material of the toe stabilizer 40 is made of silicone or polyurethane and used to be in close contact with the toes and the lower portion. The toe stabilizer 40 may be provided in a structure capable of elastic deformation according to various foot shapes.

The toe support 40 is provided with a semicircular structure in which the toe part 412 partially covers the toes as shown in FIG. 4B, or as shown in FIG. 4C, the toe restraint ring 40 surrounds each of the toes. Can be provided as The semi-circular or ring-shaped protrusion 412 may be provided in a continuous connection to settle five toes. In addition, the protrusion may protrude in the form of a column to be fitted between the toes. In addition to the projections of the toe stabilizer may be provided in a single ring shape to the entire toe, but not semi-circular or ring or column shape can be configured.

The stimulation pad 42 is disposed on the inner surface of the body 41 of the toe stabilizer and is connected to a power supply line so as to receive electricity and to generate electrical stimulation on the toe settled. The stimulation pad 42 forms a groove in the inner surface of the body 41, and is inserted into the groove so as to be located on the same surface as the inner surface of the body to prevent the toe from being caught, and protrudes the stimulation pad in the form of acupressure protrusions. It can be used for pressing and electric stimulation around the toes.

The stimulation pad 42 is formed on the inner surface of the body as shown in Figure 4b and 4c in the form of a belt installed on the body 41 of the toe stabilizer 40, the entire toe circumference to be placed on the toe stabilizer Alternatively, the electrical stimulation may be achieved by contacting a portion with a strip. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E, the magnetic pole pads 42 may be exposed to the inner surface of the body 41 of the toe stabilizer in the form of dots so that electrical stimulation may be performed only on a part of the toes.

For example, when the stimulation pad 42 is provided in a point form, when the protrusion 412 of the toe restoring body has a semicircle shape, a stimulus pad having a point form is formed on the bottom and both sides of the inner surface of the body, respectively, When the protrusion 412 has a ring shape, a dot-shaped magnetic pole pad is formed on the bottom surface, both sides and the upper surface of the body, respectively, and when the protrusion 412 of the toe stabilizer body has a pillar shape, the inner wall is in contact with the toe. Each formed in the, it is possible to make the electrical stimulation along the toe circumference.

The dot-shaped magnetic pole pad 42 may be connected to the control unit or the piezoelectric element by each power supply line. In addition, it is provided in a ring or semi-circular band to connect with the power supply line, and forms a protrusion projecting in the form of a dot partially on the inner surface of the magnetic pole pad, and the magnetic pole pad having the dot-shaped protrusion is seated on the inner surface of the toe stabilizer, The part except the protruding part may be provided with a structure that is sealed by applying an electric insulator. When provided in this way, since only the point-like protrusions are expressed inward, electric stimulation may be made in the form of points on the toes.

On the other hand, the control unit 34 may control the electric strength transmitted to the stimulation pad 42 to make the electrical stimulation in a strong and weak form, one toe when the individual power supply line is connected to each of the point-shaped stimulation pads In addition, the electrical stimulation by a variety of patterns can be provided by varying the time, interval and intensity of applying electricity to each point-shaped stimulation pad.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper portion of the front of the sole 20 located inside the shoe includes a socket 21 electrically connected to the piezoelectric element, and a plug corresponding to the socket is formed on the bottom of the toe support 40. 43), if necessary, by inserting the plug 43 of the toe stabilizer in the socket 21 of the shoe inside to transfer the electricity generated from the piezoelectric element to the toe to make the electrical stimulation. The socket may be formed in the insole as well as the sole is placed inside the shoe, when formed only in the sole can form a through hole in the insole so that the plug can be mounted to the outsole through the insole through hole.

When the socket 21 and the plug 43 are formed alone, when the toe stabilizer 40 is mounted inside the shoe, the toe stabilizer is rotated around the coupling part, so it is inconvenient to settle the toe, at least two or more. It can be configured to prevent the toe stabilizer from rotating when mounted inside the shoe.

In addition, by providing the toe stabilizer in the form of a plug 43, it is possible to provide convenience by selecting and replacing the toe stabilizer of the appropriate shape according to the user's foot shape.

As described above, the present invention installs a piezoelectric element in a shoe so that continuous electricity is produced during walking, and the produced electricity is transmitted to the toes, but the toe restoring surface contacting the toes is provided in the form of a semicircle or a ring or a protrusion to the bottom of the toe. Electric stimulation is made on the side and the upper surface as well as the surface, it is possible to provide a useful device that can provide a massage effect through various menstrual blood of the toe.

10: functional shoes
20: outsole
21: socket
30: electricity generating device
31: piezoelectric element 32: power supply line
33: power storage unit 34: control unit
35: operation signal input unit
331: charging power module 332: battery mounting module
40: toe restraint
41: body 42: stimulation pad
43: plug
411: bottom 412: protrusion

Claims (7)

In a functional shoe using a piezoelectric element,
An electric generator 30 installed in the shoe sole 20 and configured of a piezoelectric element 31 which generates electricity by repeated pressing during walking, and a power supply line 32 which supplies electricity generated from the piezoelectric element; ;
It is installed to the toe inside the shoe is settled in the part enclosed to surround the part or the whole, the toe stabilizer 40 for applying electric stimulation to the outer surface of the toe with electricity generated by the electric generator;
The toe support 40 includes a body 41 protruding in a semicircle or ring form or a protrusion formed between the toes to be mounted on the shoe insole and individually wrapping the toes; Formed on the inner surface of the body and in contact with the settled toe surface, the stimulation pad 42 for supplying electricity received from the electrical generator;
The toe stabilizer 40, integrally constituted with one or two plugs 43 electrically connected to the magnetic pole pad 42 on the bottom,
The shoe 10 is provided with a socket 21 corresponding to the plug 43 and electrically connected to the electric generator 30 to insert the plug 43 of the toe stabilizer into the socket 21 inside the shoe. Functional footwear, characterized in that. delete delete The method of claim 1,
The electric generator 30,
A power storage unit 33 for storing electricity generated by the piezoelectric element 31;
Functional shoes characterized in that the configuration further comprises; control unit 34 for adjusting the intensity of electricity delivered to the toe support 40. The method of claim 4, wherein
The stimulation pad 42 is provided in the form of dots,
Protruding portion 412 of the toe restoring body is formed in the bottom and both sides of the inner surface of the body when the semi-circular shape, and formed in the bottom and both sides and the upper surface of the inner surface of the body when the ring shape, and the toes in the column shape Are formed on the inner wall in contact with each other,
Functional shoes characterized in that the electrical stimulation is made along the toe circumference. The method of claim 5,
The control unit 34 is a functional shoe, characterized in that the electrical stimulation is applied to the toes by supplying a plurality of point-shaped magnetic pole pads 42 at the same time or at different times and intervals and strength. The method of claim 4, wherein
The stimulation pad 42 is provided in the form of a band formed along the inner surface of the body 41 of the toe stabilizer, functional shoes, characterized in that the electrical stimulation is made at the same time to the bottom of the toe or the entire toe circumference at the same time.

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