Variable support footwear using electrorheological or magnetorheological fluids

Abstract

A variable footwear support system includes at least one rheological body within a sole of an article of footwear, control electronics within the article of footwear, and at least one E / M field generator coupled to the control electronics and arranged operably proximate to at least one rheological body. The sole is formed of a resilient material and the rheological body contains a Theological fluid having a viscosity that is variable in the presence of an energy field. The control electronics is adapted to generate at least one control signal. The at least one E / M field generator is adapted to generate an energy field corresponding to a control signal generated by the control electronics upon the rheological body.

Description

[0001] This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 678,548 filed May 6, 2005, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of Invention [0003] Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to articles of footwear having electronically controllable cushioning systems that are low power, low cost, and fast responding. [0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0005] Modern running and walking footwear are a combination of many elements each having a specific function which aids in the overall ability of the footwear to withstand many miles of running or walking, while providing cushioning and support for the foot and leg. Articles of athletic footwear are divided into two general parts, an upper and a sole. The upper is designed to snugly and comfortably enclose the foot, while the sole must provide traction, protection and a durable wear surface. It is often desirable to provide the footwear with a midsole havi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] One embodiment exemplarily disclosed herein provides a variable footwear support system that includes at least one rheological body within a sole of an article of footwear, control electronics within the article of footwear, and at least one E / M field generator coupled to the control electronics and arranged operably proximate to at least one rheological body. The sole is formed of a resilient material and the rheological body contains a rheological fluid having a viscosity that is variable in the presence of an energy field. The control electronics is adapted to generate at least one control signal. The at least one E / M field generator is adapted to generate an energy field corresponding to a control signal generated by the control electronics upon the rheological body.

[0014] Another embodiment exemplarily disclosed herein provides a variable footwear support method that includes steps of receiving sensor data from at least one sensor, generating at least one control signal based on the received sensor data, and energizing at least one E / M field generator based on the at least one generated control signal. The sensor data describes at least one of an intensity and a frequency of foot-falls of a wearer of an article of footwear. Each energized E / M field generator is adapted to generate an energy field upon at least one rheological body arranged within a sole of an article of footwear. The sole is formed of a resilient material and wherein the at least one rheological body contains a rheological fluid having a viscosity that is variable in the presence of the generated energy field.

[0015] Yet another embodiment exemplarily disclosed herein provides a variable footwear support method that includes steps of receiving user input from a user interface, generating at least one control signal based on the received user input, and energizing at least one E / M field generator based on the at least one generated control signal. Each energized E / M field generator is adapted to generate an energy field upon at least one rheological body arranged within a sole of an article of footwear. The sole is formed of a resilient material and wherein the at least one rheological body contains a rheological fluid having a viscosity that is variable in the presence of the generated energy field.

Problems solved by technology

Although pronation is normal and necessary to achieve proper foot positioning, it can be a source of foot and leg injuries for runners who over-pronate.

While some amount of pronation is helpful in decreasing pressure and stress experienced by the leg, excessive pronation can cause stress on various joints, bones and soft tissue.

Supinating, which involves rolling of the foot from the medial to the lateral side, while not as common as over pronating, can also cause foot and leg injuries if it is excessive.

Conventional running and walking footwear are designed to provide the user with the maximum amount of available cushioning tend to sacrifice footwear stability by using a midsole cushioning system that is too soft and has too much lateral flexibility for a person who over-pronates or requires some form of motion control.

The lateral flexibility and deformation of traditional cushioning materials contribute to the instability of the subtalar joint of the ankle and increase the runner's tendency to over pronate.

As a result, over-pronators generally do not use contemporary shoes specifically designed for maximum cushioning, but instead use heavier, firmer footwear, or footwear having motion control devices specifically designed to correct physical problems such as excessive pronation.

On the other hand, this system has the significant drawback of being fixed by its physical design, not allowing variation in how the stiffness varies based upon differences in the physical activity being performed by the user.

No. 2002 / 0053146, these prior art systems do not allow for variation in how the stiffness varies based upon differences in the physical activity being performed by the user.

Moreover, while such prior art systems, act to moderate the amount of motion control, they do so using heavy, bulky footwear, which is weighted down by support features, and designed for the severe over-pronator.

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