SHOE AUTOMATIC INFLATABLE CUSHION SYSTEM
A shoe automatic inflatable cushion system is applied to a shoe which includes a shoe body and a bottom part connected therewith. When a weight sensor disposed on the bottom part detects a load, a control module receives an enabling signal and accordingly drives an air pump to operate, so that an inflatable cushion disposed in the shoe body is inflated and expanded. When an air pressure sensor detects the pressure inside the inflatable cushion higher than a specified threshold interval, the air pressure sensor sends a disabling signal to the control module, and the control module receives a disabling signal and accordingly stops operation of the air pump.
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The present invention relates to a shoe automatic inflatable cushion system, and more particularly to a shoe automatic inflatable cushion system inflated by an air pump.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONGenerally, most shoes are using shoelaces as a means of loosening and tying the shoes on feet. However, the shoes with shoelaces have many problems, e.g. the shoelaces are often loosened while moving, which requires retiring as a troublesome burden. Furthermore, the loosen shoelaces may cause danger, e.g. wearer or other people may trip over it, or it may be involved in the gap of an escalator, a bicycle chain or a motorcycle pin. In addition, wearing the shoes with shoelaces in long term may put excessive pressure on feet and cause discomfort.
Some shoes are using hook and loop fastener or a sock-type shoe body as the means of loosening and tying the shoes on feet. However, the hook and loop fastener has insufficient strength to fix the feet and is easily detached. Besides, the hook and loop fastener would gradually loses viscosity after using for a long period of time. As a result, the shoes with the hook and loop fastener are inconvenient while moving and are inappropriate for exercise. The sock-type shoe body also has insufficient strength to fix the feet, and the tightness cannot be adjusted once the shoes are purchased. Also, the sock-type shoe body would be loose after using a long period of time and fail to fix the feet well.
On the other hand, in general, people can only select shoes in different size according to their foot lengths rather than individual foot shapes. It is a common problem that people purchase the shoes which fail to fit the feet well, as their shoe bodies may be too wide, too narrow, too high, or too flat, and wearing unfit shoes to move can cause discomfort and injury.
Therefore, there is a need of providing a shoe automatic inflatable cushion system to solve the drawbacks in prior arts, which can be applied to a pair shoes and makes the shoes automatically adjustable to be adapted to the personal foot shapes, and comfortably wrap and fix the feet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention provides a shoe automatic inflatable cushion system. The shoe automatic inflatable cushion system can be applied to all kinds of shoes, and the inflatable cushion of the shoe automatic inflatable cushion system disposed on each shoe can be inflated and expanded to fit closely with the wearer's feet, which is adapted to the shape of the feet and can be adjusted, so as to wrap and fix the wearer's feet well and provide comfortable feeling while wearing.
Another object of the present invention provides a shoe automatic inflatable cushion system with an air pressure adjustment function. The internal air pressure of an inflatable cushion is automatically adjustable according to usage status, such that the life span of the inflatable cushion is extended and the wearer can wear the shoes under optimum pressure in any time.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe automatic inflatable cushion system applied to a shoe. The shoe includes a shoe body and a bottom part connected therewith, by which a wear space and an opening communicated therewith are collaboratively defined. The shoe automatic inflatable cushion system comprises a weight sensor disposed on the bottom part, an inflatable cushion disposed in the shoe body, and an air passage arranged between the inflatable cushion and the shoe body, which is communicated with the inflatable cushion. When the weight sensor detects a load, it sends an enabling signal to a control module, and the control module accordingly enables an air pump, which is communicated with the air passage. The air pump pumps external air into the air passage and through guidance of the air passage, the air is fed into the inflatable cushion to inflate it. Meanwhile, an air pressure sensor disposed in the air passage is monitoring the pressure of the inflatable cushion. When the air pressure sensor detects the pressure inside the inflatable cushion higher than a specified threshold interval, a disabling signal is sent thereby to the control module, and that the control module accordingly stops operation of the air pump. Hence, the inflatable cushion is maintained in an optimum status with appropriate degree of expansion for perfectly wrap and fix the foot.
The above contents of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.
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When the control module 16 of the control system enables the air pump 12, the air pump 12 pumps an external air into the air passage 13. Being guided by the air passage 13, the air is fed into the inflatable cushion 11. Meanwhile, the air pressure inside the inflatable cushion 11 is monitored by the air pressure sensor 15 disposed in the air passage 13. When the air pressure sensor 15 detects the air pressure inside the inflatable cushion 11 higher than a specified threshold interval, the air pressure sensor 15 sends a disabling signal to the control module 16 to stop the operation of the air pump 12. Oppositely, when the air pressure sensor 15 detects the air pressure inside the inflatable cushion 11 lower than the specified threshold interval, the air pressure sensor 15 sends an enabling signal to the control module 16 to enable the air pump 12.
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In addition, when the air pressure sensor 15 detects the pressure inside the inflatable cushion 11 higher than a specified threshold interval, the air pressure sensor 15 sends a disabling signal to the control module 16. Accordingly, the control module 16 stops the operation of the air pump 12 for preventing the pressure inside the inflatable cushion 11 from becoming too high, which may cause discomfort. Oppositely, when the air pressure sensor 15 detects the pressure inside the inflatable cushion 11 lower than the specified threshold interval, the air pressure sensor 15 sends an enabling signal to the control module 16, and the control module 16 accordingly drives the air pump 12 to operate. The above-mentioned specified threshold interval is an optimum range of the pressure that provides appropriate tightness for the foot wearing the sneaker 2. Through the air pressure detection and control, the degree of expansion of the inflatable cushion 11 is automatic adjustable, which makes the sneaker 2 comfortable and safe to wear.
In addition, the shoe automatic inflatable cushion system 1 of this embodiment further has an air pressure adjustment function. As shown in
In some embodiments, the relief valve 18 may be but not limited to a rotary button, and is manually actuated to switch the release valve 18 on or off by screwing or unscrewing the rotary button. Therefore, the user is able to adjust the internal air pressure of the shoe automatic inflatable cushion system 1 through the rotary button, unscrewing the rotary button to switch the release valve 18 on so as to release pressure of the inflatable cushion 11, and screwing the rotary button to switch the release valve 18 off for stopping pressure releasing. As a result, the tightness of the sneaker 2 is manually adjustable to achieve an optimum status for the wearer.
The gas inlet plate 121 comprises at least one inlet 121a. Preferably but not exclusively, the gas inlet plate 121 comprises four inlets 121a. The inlets 121a run through the gas inlet plate 121. In response to the action of the atmospheric pressure, the air is introduced into the air pump 12 through the inlets 121a. Moreover, at least one convergence channel 121b is formed on a first surface of the gas inlet plate 121, and is in communication with the at least one inlet 121a in a second surface of the gas inlet plate 121. Moreover, a central cavity 121c is located at the intersection of the four convergence channels 121b. The central cavity 121c is in communication with the at least one convergence channel 121b, such that the gas entered by the inlets 121a would be introduced into the at least one convergence channel 121b and is guided to the central cavity 121c. Consequently, the air can be transferred by the air pump 12. In this embodiment, the at least one inlet 121a, the at least one convergence channel 121b and the central cavity 121c of the gas inlet plate 121 are integrally formed. The central cavity 121c is a convergence chamber for temporarily storing the air. Preferably but not exclusively, the gas inlet plate 121 is made of stainless steel. In some embodiments, the depth of the convergence chamber defined by the central cavity 121c is equal to the depth of the at least one convergence channel 121b. The resonance plate 122 is made of a flexible material, which is preferably but not exclusively copper. The resonance plate 122 further has a central aperture 122c corresponding to the central cavity 121c of the gas inlet plate 121 that providing the gas for flowing through.
The piezoelectric actuator 123 comprises a suspension plate 1231, an outer frame 1232, at least one bracket 1233 and a piezoelectric plate 1234. The piezoelectric plate 1234 is attached on a first surface 1231c of the suspension plate 1231. In response to an applied voltage, the piezoelectric plate 1234 would be subjected to a deformation. When the piezoelectric plate 1233 is subjected to the deformation, the suspension plate 1231 is subjected to a curvy vibration. The at least one bracket 1233 is connected between the suspension plate 1231 and the outer frame 1232, while the two ends of the bracket 1233 are connected with the outer frame 1232 and the suspension plate 1231 respectively that the bracket 1233 can elastically support the suspension plate 1231. At least one vacant space 1235 is formed between the bracket 1233, the suspension plate 1231 and the outer frame 1232 for allowing the air to go through. The type of the suspension plate 1231 and the outer frame 1232 and the type and the number of the at least one bracket 1233 may be varied according to the practical requirements. The outer frame 1232 is arranged around the suspension plate 1231. Moreover, a conducting pin 1232c is protruding outwardly from the outer frame 1232 so as to be electrically connected with an external circuit (not shown).
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After the gas inlet plate 121, the resonance plate 122 and the piezoelectric actuator 123 are combined together, a movable part 122a and a fixed part 122b of the resonance plate 122 are defined. A convergence chamber for converging the air is defined by the movable part 122a of the resonance plate 122 and the gas inlet plate 121 collaboratively. Moreover, a first chamber 120 is formed between the resonance plate 122 and the piezoelectric actuator 123 for temporarily storing the air. Through the central aperture 122c of the resonance plate 122, the first chamber 120 is in communication with the central cavity 121c of the gas inlet plate 121. The peripheral regions of the first chamber 120 are in communication with the air passage 13 through the vacant space 1235 between the brackets 1233 of the piezoelectric actuator 123.
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As mentioned above, the operation of the air pump 12 can guide the air into the air passage 13, such that the air that is guided is introduced to the inflatable cushion 11, and the inflatable cushion 11 is inflated and expanded to fit the user's foot surface. Therefore, the sneaker 2 may be tightly and firmly attached to the user's foot, thereby providing sufficient support and protection for safe and comfortable wearing.
From the above descriptions, the present invention provides a shoe automatic inflatable cushion system, which may be applied to a pair of footwear such as sneakers. The weight sensor of the shoe automatic inflatable cushion system detects the load of a foot, then the inflatable cushion is inflated automatically and intelligently to fit the shape of foot that provides comfort as well as sufficient support and protection. Furthermore, an air pressure adjustment function is provided to automatically adjust the internal air pressure according to the usage status of the wearer, which prolongs the life span of the inflatable cushion and makes the footwear in an optimum comfortable status to wear. In addition, the pressure of the inflatable cushion is manually adjustable, thereby providing more convenience in operation and wider applicability.
While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
Claims
1. A shoe automatic inflatable cushion system applied to a shoe, wherein the shoe comprises a shoe body and a bottom part connected therewith, by which a wear space and an opening communicated therewith are collaboratively defined, the shoe automatic inflatable cushion system comprising:
- an inflatable cushion disposed in the shoe body;
- an air passage arranged between the inflatable cushion and the shoe body and communicated with the inflatable cushion;
- an air pump communicated with the air passage;
- a weight sensor disposed on the bottom part;
- an air pressure sensor disposed in the air passage; and
- a control module electrically connected with the air pump, the weight sensor, and the air pressure sensor;
- wherein the weight sensor sends an enabling signal to the control module when detecting a load, and the control module accordingly drives the air pump to operate, making air guided by the air passage and introduced into the inflatable cushion so that the inflatable cushion is inflated and expanded, wherein when the air pressure sensor detects the pressure inside the inflatable cushion higher than a specified threshold interval, the air pressure sensor sends a disabling signal to the control module, and that the control module accordingly stops operation of the air pump.
2. The shoe automatic inflatable cushion system according to claim 1 further comprising a relief valve disposed on a surface of the shoe body, and the relief valve is communicated with the air passage.
3. The shoe automatic inflatable cushion system according to claim 2, wherein the relief valve is manually actuated to discharge the air from the shoe automatic inflatable cushion system.
4. The shoe automatic inflatable cushion system according to claim 2, wherein the relief valve is electrically connected with the control module, and when the weight sensor detects loss or disappearance of the weight of the load, the weight sensor sends a pressure relief signal to the control module, and the control module accordingly drives the relief valve to discharge the air from the shoe.
5. The shoe automatic inflatable cushion system according to claim 1, wherein the air pump is a piezoelectric air pump.
6. The shoe automatic inflatable cushion system according to claim 5, wherein the piezoelectric air pump comprises:
- a gas inlet plate comprising at least one inlet, at least one convergence channel and a central cavity, wherein a convergence chamber is defined by the central cavity, and the at least one convergence channel corresponds to the at least one inlet, wherein after the air is introduced into the at least one convergence channel through the at least one inlet, the air is guided by the at least one convergence channel and converged to the convergence chamber;
- a resonance plate having a central aperture, wherein the central aperture is aligned with the convergence chamber, wherein the resonance plate comprises a movable part near the central aperture; and
- a piezoelectric actuator aligned with the resonance plate, wherein a gap is formed between the resonance plate and the piezoelectric actuator to define a first chamber, wherein when the piezoelectric actuator is driven, the air is introduced into the air pump through the at least one inlet of the gas inlet plate, converged to the central cavity through the at least one convergence channel, transferred through the central aperture of the resonance plate, and introduced into the first chamber, wherein the air is further transferred through a resonance between the piezoelectric actuator and the movable part of the resonance plate.
7. The shoe automatic inflatable cushion system according to claim 6, wherein the piezoelectric actuator comprises:
- a suspension plate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the suspension plate is permitted to undergo a curvy vibration;
- an outer frame arranged around the suspension plate;
- at least one bracket connected between the suspension plate and the outer frame for elastically supporting the suspension plate; and
- a piezoelectric plate, wherein a length of the piezoelectric plate is smaller than or equal to a length of the suspension plate, and the piezoelectric plate is attached on the first surface of the suspension plate, wherein when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric plate, the suspension plate is driven to undergo the curvy vibration.
8. The shoe automatic inflatable cushion system according to claim 7, wherein the suspension plate is a square suspension plate with a bulge.
9. The shoe automatic inflatable cushion system according to claim 6, wherein the piezoelectric air pump further comprises a conducting plate, a first insulation plate and a second insulation plate, wherein the gas inlet plate, the resonance plate, the first insulation plate, the conducting plate and the second insulation plate are stacked on each other sequentially.
10. The shoe automatic inflatable cushion system according to claim 1, wherein the control module comprises a battery to provide electric power to the control module.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 11, 2018
Publication Date: Jul 19, 2018
Applicant: Microjet Technology Co., Ltd. (Hsinchu)
Inventors: Shih-Chang Chen (Hsinchu), Li-Pang Mo (Hsinchu), Jia-Yu Liao (Hsinchu), Hsien-Ting Huang (Hsinchu), Chi-Feng Huang (Hsinchu), Yung-Lung Han (Hsinchu)
Application Number: 15/868,813