CN108652118A

CN108652118A - Footwear with removable motor-driven regulating system

Info

Publication number: CN108652118A
Application number: CN201810450695.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 蒂凡妮·A·比尔斯
Original assignee: Nike Innovation LP
Current assignee: Nike Innovation LP
Priority date: 2013-09-20
Filing date: 2014-09-18
Publication date: 2018-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-18
Also published as: CN108652118B; JP6581989B2; JP2016530058A; WO2015042216A1; CN105722419A; EP3593662B1; EP3593662A1; EP3046434A1; CN105722419B; EP4212052A1; EP3046434B1

Abstract

This application involves the footwear with removable motor-driven regulating system.Article of footwear may include motor-driven clamping system.The clamping system may include tensile member and be configured to tension being applied in the tensile member to adjust the motor-driven compressing apparatus of the size of the internal cavities defined by article of footwear.The clamping system can also include the power supply for being configured to supply electric power to motor-driven compressing apparatus.Tensile member, motor-driven compressing apparatus and power supply can be configured to be removably attachable to article of footwear.

Description

Footwear with removable motor-driven regulating system

The application be the applying date be on 09 18th, 2014, it is entitled " to have application No. is 201480062685.0 The divisional application of the application of the footwear of removable motor-driven regulating system ".

Cross reference to related applications

The application is in the submission on the 30th of August in 2013 and entitled " Motorized Tensioning System with The part continuation application (CIP) of the U.S. Patent Application No. 14/014,555 of the Beers of Sensors " et al., basis 35U.S.C. § 119 (e) are required in " the Motorized Tensioning System submitting and entitled on the 31st of August in 2012 The priority of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/695,953 of the Beers of with Sensors " et al., the whole of above-mentioned application Disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

Background

The present embodiment is usually directed to article of footwear and includes removable motor-driven regulating system.

Article of footwear generally includes two main elements：Vamp and footwear sole construction.Vamp is usually by multiple material element (e.g., fabric, polymer sheet layer, froth bed, leather, synthetic leather) is formed, which is sewn or adhesively ties It is combined, formed on the inside of footwear for comfortable and receiving foot securely cavity.More particularly, vamp is formed Extend above the instep of foot and toe area, around the inner side and outer side along foot and the heel area in foot Structure.Vamp also may include lacing system, to adjust the adaptability of footwear, and allow foot enter the cavity in vamp and Cavity out of vamp removes foot.Equally, some apparel articles may include each various of the adaptability for adjusting clothes The closed system of class.

It summarizes

In one aspect, this disclosure relates to include the article of footwear of motor-driven clamping system.The clamping system may include drawing It stretches component and is configured to apply in the tensile member tension to adjust the machine of the size of the internal cavities defined by article of footwear Dynamic compressing apparatus.The clamping system can also include the power supply for being configured to supply electric power to motor-driven compressing apparatus.Tensile member, machine Dynamic compressing apparatus and power supply can be configured to be removably attachable to article of footwear.

The motor-driven clamping system further includes control unit and shell, the Shell structure at accommodate the tensile member, The motor-driven compressing apparatus, the power supply and described control unit, and wherein, the Shell structure is at being removably attachable to The article of footwear.

The Shell structure is at the heel portion for being removably attachable to the article of footwear.

When the shell is attached to the heel portion of the article of footwear, the motor-driven compressing apparatus is placed in In the decline of the article of footwear.

Medial surface and outside of the Shell structure at the heel portion at least partly around the article of footwear Face.

When the shell is attached to the heel portion of the article of footwear, the motor-driven compressing apparatus is placed in institute In the medial surface or lateral surface of stating the heel portion of article of footwear.

The tensile member includes manual release mechanism, and the manual release mechanism is used for the first of the tensile member Part is manually detached with the second part of the tensile member, and the tensile member is thus enable to be moved from the article of footwear It removes.

When the tensile member is tightened into the article of footwear, the manual release mechanism is placed in the footwear In the instep region of article.

The tensile member is configured to tightening in the instep region of the article of footwear and is tightened in region to described In article of footwear.

The tensile member include with motor-driven relevant first tensile member portion of compressing apparatus, and in the footwear It is tightened in the footwear sole construction of article to the second tensile member portion in the article of footwear.

The motor-driven compressing apparatus is configured with remote equipment to control.

The article of footwear further includes buffer element and electronics in the heel area of the footwear sole construction of the article of footwear At least one of equipment.

The article of footwear is included in buffer element in the heel area of the footwear sole construction of the article of footwear and in institute State the electronic equipment in the shoes central region of the footwear sole construction of article of footwear.

In another aspect, this disclosure relates to change the method for the lacing system of article of footwear.This method may include Article of footwear is provided, which includes the motor-driven clamping system for being attached to article of footwear, which includes wearing It crosses tensile member that the eyelet stay of article of footwear tightened in region tightens, be configured to apply in tensile member tension to adjust It the motor-driven compressing apparatus of the size of the internal cavities defined from article of footwear and is configured to supply electric power to motor-driven compressing apparatus Power supply.This method can also include removing tensile member, motor-driven compressing apparatus and power supply from article of footwear.In addition, this method May include tightening manual shoestring into article of footwear.

It includes tightening the manual shoestring into the eyelet stay that manual shoestring, which is tightened to the article of footwear, institute Tensile member is stated to be removed from the eyelet stay.

It includes accommodating the motor-driven compressing apparatus from the dismounting of the vamp of the article of footwear to remove the motor-driven compressing apparatus Shell.

From the article of footwear remove the tensile member include disconnect the tensile member manual release mechanism so that The first part of the tensile member and the second part of the tensile member disconnect.

On the other hand, this disclosure relates to motor-driven footwear lacing system.The lacing system may include article of footwear and hand Dynamic shoestring.In addition, the lacing system may include motor-driven clamping system, which includes tensile member and motor-driven drawing Clamping apparatus, the motor-driven compressing apparatus are configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the inside sky defined by article of footwear The size of chamber.The lacing system can also include being configured to accommodate article of footwear, manual shoestring, tensile member and motor-driven tension The container of equipment.Moreover, tensile member and motor-driven compressing apparatus can be configured to be removably attachable to article of footwear and replacement For manual shoestring.

The system further includes the remote equipment for being configured to control the motor-driven compressing apparatus.

After consulting the following drawings and detailed description, the other systems of embodiment, method, feature and advantage are to this field Those of ordinary skill will be apparent or will be apparent.It is intended that all such other systems, method, feature and advantage quilt Including this description and this generals introduction it is interior, in embodiment in the range of and protected by following following claims.

Brief description

Embodiment is referred to attached drawing below and description is better understood.Component in figure is painted not necessarily to scale System, but focus on and show in the principle of the present invention.In addition, in the accompanying drawings, identical reference number is indicated through difference The corresponding part of view.

Fig. 1 is the part for including article of footwear, motor-driven clamping system and the remote equipment for controlling clamping system The schematic diagram of the embodiment of complete set of equipments；

Fig. 2 is the exploded view of the embodiment of article of footwear and attachable motor-driven clamping system；

Fig. 3 is the installation diagram of the perspective of the embodiment of article of footwear and attachable motor-driven clamping system；

Fig. 4 is the partial sectional view of attachable motor-driven clamping system；

Fig. 5 is the schematic top plan view of a part for the article of footwear for including removable regulating device, is illustrated in the vertical view In figure, the position of motor-driven tension equipment, control unit and battery pack is shown schematically；

Fig. 6 be the embodiment for the manual release mechanism of the clamping system including motor-driven tension equipment schematically etc. Away from view；

Fig. 7 is showing for the embodiment for another manual release mechanism of the clamping system including motor-driven tension equipment It is intended to；

Fig. 8 is the schematic isometric view of the embodiment of the removed motor-driven tension equipment of outer cover of outer cover unit；

Fig. 9 is the schematic exploded isometric view of the embodiment of some components of motor-driven tension equipment；

Figure 10 is the schematic exploded isometric view of the embodiment of ratchet assembly；

Figure 11 is the schematic isometric view of a part for the motor-driven clamping system for the ratchet assembly for showing to be clamped to spool；

Figure 12 is the schematic isometric view of the embodiment of axis and rotational control assemblies；

Figure 13 is that the schematic of a part for the motor-driven clamping system for the rotational control assemblies for showing spliced reel equidistantly regards Figure；

Figure 14 is another schematic isometric view of a part for the rotational control assemblies of Figure 13；

Figure 15 is the schematic isometric view of the embodiment of spool；

Figure 16 is the side schematic view of the embodiment of torque transmitting system；

Figure 17 is the side schematic view of the embodiment in the torque transmitting system for being totally released configuration；

Figure 18 is the side schematic view of the embodiment for the torque transmitting system that configuration is tensed in increment；

Figure 19 is the side schematic view of the embodiment for the torque transmitting system that configuration is tensed in increment；

Figure 20 is the schematic isometric view of a part for torque transmitting system when Gear Contact ratchet assembly；

Figure 21 is the schematic isometric view of the part of the torque transmitting system of Figure 20, wherein gear, ratchet assembly with And spool is clamped together and spool is rotation；

Figure 22 is the side schematic isometric view for the torque transmitting system that configuration is unclamped in increment；

Figure 23 is the schematic isometric view of the torque transmitting system for the first stage that configuration is unclamped in increment；

Figure 24 is the schematic isometric view of the torque transmitting system for the second stage that configuration is unclamped in increment；

Figure 25 is the schematic isometric view of the torque transmitting system for the phase III that configuration is unclamped in increment；

Figure 26 is the schematic side elevation for the embodiment converted to the torque transmitting system for being totally released configuration；

Figure 27 is secondary winding element (the secondary winding operated when shoestring is wrapped on spool Assembly schematic isometric view)；

Figure 28 is the schematic of the secondary winding element operated when shoestring is unwound due to the tension on shoestring from spool Isometric view；

Figure 29 is equidistantly regarded when shoestring has developed the schematic of secondary winding element operated when some relaxations by near reel Figure；

Figure 30 is the schematic isometric view of the motor-driven tension equipment for the selectable configuration for including secondary winding element；

Figure 31 is the embodiment of the article of footwear with clamping system and the remote equipment for controlling the clamping system Schematic isometric view；

Figure 32 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment for the remote equipment that control application is tightened in operation；

Figure 33 is the foot being inserted into article and the embodiment that the remote equipment that control is applied is tightened in operation Schematic diagram；

Figure 34 is the foot being fully inserted into article and the embodiment that the remote equipment that control is applied is tightened in operation Schematic diagram；

Figure 35 is the embodiment party for the article being tightened up when remote equipment sends increment to clamping system and tenses instruction The schematic diagram of case；

Figure 36 is the embodiment party for the article being released when remote equipment sends increment to clamping system and unclamps instruction The schematic diagram of case；

Figure 37 is remote equipment after warp-wise clamping system sends open instructions, is opened to allow article that foot removes The schematic diagram of embodiment；

Figure 38 be include clamping system and being configured to control the shoes of the long-range bracelet of the motor-driven tension equipment of the clamping system The schematic isometric view of the embodiment of class article；

Figure 39 is for automatically controlling the tension in article to keep the illustrative process of initial tension；

Figure 40 is the illustrative process that tensioning pattern for being selected according to user automatically controls tension；

Figure 41 is the schematic isometric view of the selectable embodiment of motor-driven tension equipment；

Figure 42 is the amplification isometric view of the load holding mechanism of the motor-driven tension equipment of Figure 41；

Figure 43 is the sectional view of the embodiment of a part for motor-driven tension equipment；

Figure 44 is the isometric view of another embodiment of the load holding mechanism for motor-driven tension equipment；

Figure 45 is the isometric view of the load holding mechanism of Figure 44, wherein output ring is removed；

Figure 46 is the article of footwear of the selected part for the footwear sole construction for having attachable clamping system and showing footwear Schematic diagram；

Figure 47 is the schematic diagram of another embodiment of the article of footwear with attachable clamping system；

Figure 48 is the schematic diagram of another embodiment of the article of footwear with attachable clamping system；With

Figure 49 is the schematic diagram of another embodiment of the article of footwear with attachable clamping system.

Detailed description

Following discussion and attached drawing disclose article of footwear and the motor-driven lacing system for the footwear.Disclosed herein and shoes The relevant concept of class can be applied to various athletic footwear styles, including for example running shoes, basketball shoes, Association football shoes, spike, Olive sneakers and golf shoes.Therefore, concept disclosed herein is suitable for a variety of footwear types.

In order to help and clarify the subsequent descriptions of each embodiment, each term is defined herein.Unless otherwise directed, Otherwise below be defined in this specification (including claims) is applicable in.For the sake of consistent and convenient, through pair Directionality adjective should have been used in this detailed description of embodiment illustrated.

As referred to the length of extension component through the detailed description and the term " longitudinal direction " used in the claims Direction.For example, the longitudinal direction of article of footwear extends to the heel area of the article of footwear from shoes front area.Term " forward " It is used to refer to the general direction that the toe of foot is directed toward, and term is used to refer to opposite direction, the i.e. rear root face of foot " backward " To direction.

Such as term " horizontal direction " used through this detailed description and in the claims refers to the width of extension component Left-to-right direction.In other words, horizontal direction can extend between the inner side and outer side of article of footwear, wherein article of footwear Outside is to deviate from the surface of another foot, and inside is the surface towards another foot.

As the term " side " that uses in the present description and claims be finger substantially face with upwards or to Any part for lateral direction, interior direction, forward direction or the backward directions that lower direction compares.

If term used through this detailed description and in the claims refers to being essentially perpendicular to transverse direction " vertical " The direction in direction and longitudinal direction.For example, being laid flat on ground surface in sole, vertical direction can be from ground surface It upwardly extends.It will be appreciated that each in the adjective of these directionality can be applied to all parts of sole.Term " upward " refers to leaving the vertical direction of ground advance, and term " downward " refers to the vertical direction to advance towards ground.Equally, Term " top ", " top " term similar with other refer to the substantially farthest part from the ground in the vertical direction of object, And term " bottom ", " lower part " term similar with other refer to the substantially nearest portion from the ground in the vertical direction of object Point.

" inside " of shoes refers to the space that the foot of the wearer when shoes are put on occupies.Panel or other footwear elements " inside " refers in completed shoes towards (or will towards) panel of shoes inner orientation or the face of element.Element it is " outer Side " or " outside " refer to the face of the element far from (or will be far from) shoes inner orientation in completed shoes.In some cases In, the inside of element can have the other elements on the inside of this between inside in completed shoes.Similarly, element Outside can have other elements on the outside of this and between the space of the outside of completed shoes.In addition, term is " inwardly " and " upcountry " should refer to towards the direction inside shoes, and term " outside " and " outwards " should refer to towards the side outside shoes To.

For purposes of this disclosure, above-mentioned directional terminology should refer to when being used to indicate article of footwear positioned at stand up position And sole towards ground when article of footwear, that is to say, that when being put on by wearer such as article of footwear, be oriented stand exist In generally horizontal surface.

In addition, for purposes of this disclosure, term " being fixedly attached " should refer to two components so that component cannot be by The mode for separating (for example, not destroying one or two of component) easily connects.The exemplary form of fixed attachment can be with Including using permanent adhesives, rivet, suturing part, nail, bail, welding or other thermals or other interconnection techniques to connect. In addition, two components can be by means of for example with molding process global formation " being fixedly attached ".

For purposes of this disclosure, term " being removedly attached " should refer to two components so that two components are consolidated It is scheduled on together, but the mode that can easily dismantle each other is attached.The example of removable attachment mechanism may include hook With ring fastener, frictional fit interconnecting piece, interference fit interconnecting piece, screw thread coupling, cam lock connector and it is other this Easy dismountable connector of sample.

Motor-driven footwear lacing system may include article of footwear, manual shoestring and motor-driven clamping system.Motor-driven tensioning system System may include tensile member and can be removable and be interchangeable motor-driven compressing apparatus with manual shoestring.In some realities Apply in scheme, lacing system can be provided as kit of parts comprising container, a pair of of footwear, a pair of motor-driven clamping system and A pair of manual shoestring can be set in this embodiment.In some embodiments, motor-driven compressing apparatus can be by removedly It is attached to the heel portion of article of footwear.The tensile member may include the cord for being attached to motor-driven compressing apparatus or other shoestrings The component of shape.In some embodiments, which can pass through the eyelet stay of article of footwear tightened in region to be tightened.Cause This, when motor-driven compressing apparatus and tensile member are removed from footwear, manual shoestring can be tightened to tensile member wherein In the identical eyelet stay used.

Motor-driven clamping system can relatively rapidly tense footwear.In addition, in some embodiments, which can (incremental tightening) is tensed to provide increment.Such increment tension can be such that user's realization wears every time The predictable tightness.In some embodiments, sensor can be included to monitoring tightness.In such embodiment In, user can also realize predictable tightness.

In some cases, can be removed using motor-driven tension equipment (may pull band, nylon to take with other tensioning technologies Button and other such manual closing systems) the flexible problem that occurs together.Such design can improve may be at it Their footwear are put in the case of it and adjust use of the people of physical disabilities or injury that their footwear are had any problem to footwear. Using design proposed in this paper, footwear can be tightened up by button or remote interface.

In some embodiments, clamping system by bracelet or portable equipment for example, can be remotely controlled. In such embodiment, adjusting can must stop their ongoing movements by progress without wearer.For example, long Movement or athletics event of the tightness of their footwear without interrupting them can be adjusted by running sportsman.

In addition, the clamping system can be also configured to automatically adjust.For example, using tightness sensor, which can To be configured to keep the tightness during dress by adjusting tightness according to the variation of adaptability.For example, feeling when in wearing process Feel that expansion, the clamping system can discharge the tension on tensile member, to keep the tightness initially selected.

In addition, clamping system can be configured to the tightness during adjusting use to improve performance.For example, when wearer exists During motor activity when placing load on footwear, which can tense or unclamp tensile member to realize desired performance Feature.For example, when runner surrounds curve, which can tense footwear to provide other stability and incite somebody to action Foot is maintained at the centered position in footwear.As another example, when runner is when running descending, since foot is under Slope is tended to the front towards footwear and is slided during running, which can unclamp footwear and be applied on foot with limiting Other power.A large amount of other automatic adjustments can be used for performance.For each movement, such automatic adjustment can become Change.In addition, the type and amount of such adjusting can be preselected by user.For example, using above example, when around curve When advance, user can choose whether to tense or unclamp footwear.In addition, in some cases, user can choose whether to utilize Automatic adjustment.For example, when around curve, user can select to implement to adjust, but when run descending when, user can select It selects and does not utilize adjusting.

There is provided the motor-driven clamping system that can be removed from article of footwear can allow footwear to be routinely used.In addition, should The removable property of clamping system can be such that the component of the clamping system is serviced or replaced independently of footwear.In addition, this The removable property of clamping system can be such that footwear are serviced or replaced independently of the clamping system.

Fig. 1 shows motor-driven footwear lacing system 1100.As shown in Figure 1, system 1100 can be kit of parts.The complete portion It may include container 1105 to divide, and is configured to store the component of motor-driven footwear lacing system 1100.System 1100 may include One article of footwear 1100.System 1100 can also be first-hand into footwear 1110 including being configured to be tightened in a conventional manner Dynamic shoestring 1116.Shoestring 1116 can be used to change the size of inner cavity 1165, to which the foot of wearer is fixed on inner cavity In 1165, and is conducive to foot and enters inner cavity 1165 and removed from inner cavity 1165.

System 1100 may include the first motor-driven clamping system 1120, and the first motor-driven clamping system 1120 may include first Tensile member and be configured in tensile member apply tension to adjust the first machine of the size for the inner cavity defined by footwear 1110 Dynamic compressing apparatus 1125.The term " tensile member " for such as running through present description and using in the claims refers to generally oblong Any part of shape and high tensile.In some cases, tensile member can also have substantially low elasticity.Different The example of tensile member includes but not limited to：Shoestring, rope, band and cord.In some cases, tensile member can by with In fastening and/or tense article of footwear.In the case of other, tensile member can be used to apply tension in pre-position For activating the purpose of some components or system.

In some embodiments, tensile member can be configured to segment.For example, tensile member may include can be with 1125 relevant first tensile member portion 1130 of tension equipment.For example, as shown in Figure 1, the first tensile member portion 1130 can To extend through motor-driven compressing apparatus 1125.In addition, tensile member may include that can be releasably attached to the first stretching structure Second tensile member portion 1135 of part part 1130.Equally, tensile member may include that can attach to first to stretch structure The third tensile member portion 1136 of part part 1130.Second tensile member portion 1135 and third tensile member portion 1136 can To be tightened into footwear 1110, and therefore replace manual shoestring 1116.Once the second tensile member portion 1135 and third are drawn It stretches component part 1136 to be tightened into footwear 1110, the second tensile member portion 1135 can be releasably secured to third Tensile member portion 1136.

Motor-driven compressing apparatus 1125 and tensile member can be removably attachable to footwear 1110.In addition, manual shoestring 1116 with tensile member and motor-driven compressing apparatus 1125 can be interchangeable.

In some embodiments, system 1100 may include a pair of of footwear and therefore may include the second article of footwear 1111.Moreover, because system 1100 may include a pair of of footwear, the other component of system 1100 can also be arranged in pairs.For example, System 1100 may include the second manual shoestring 1115.In addition, system 1100 may include the second motor-driven clamping system 1121.The Two motor-driven clamping systems 1121 may include the second motor-driven tension equipment 1126.Second motor-driven clamping system 1121 can also include Second tensile member, the second tensile member include the 4th tensile member portion 1131, the 5th tensile member portion 1140 and the Six tensile member portions 1141.For purposes of description, only there are one will be discussed in detail below in each pair of component.

As is further illustrated in figure 1, motor-driven footwear lacing system 1100 may include being configured to control motor-driven compressing apparatus 1125 remote equipment 1145.As shown in Figure 1, in some embodiments, remote equipment 1145 can be arranged to the shape of bracelet Formula.For example, remote equipment 1145 can be implemented as the function of wrist-watch.In some embodiments, remote equipment 1145 can be Portable equipment.For example, remote equipment 1145 can be implemented as the function of mobile phone or other mobile devices.

Container 1105 can be configured to accommodate a pair of of footwear, a pair of manual shoestring and motor-driven including tensile member and a pair The motor-driven clamping system of a pair of compressing apparatus.As shown in Figure 1, in some embodiments, container 1105 can be such as shoes box Box.

Fig. 2 shows contacting between clamping system 1120 and footwear 1110.For the purpose of reference, footwear 1110 can be divided into Three rough regions：Shoes front area 10, shoes central region 12 and heel area 14.Shoes front area 10 generally comprises footwear 1110 part corresponding with toe and connection metatarsal and the joint of phalanx.Shoes central region 12 generally comprise footwear 1110 with The corresponding part of arch area of foot.Heel area 14 is substantially corresponding with the rear portion including calcaneum of foot.Shoes front area 10, shoes central region 12 and heel area 14 are not intended to divide the precise region of footwear 1110.But shoes front area 10, shoes central region 12 and heel area 14 are intended to represent the substantially opposed area of footwear 1110, to be carried for following discussion For helping.Because the various features of footwear 1110 extend beyond a region of footwear 1110, term shoes front area 10, Shoes central region 12 and heel area 14 are applicable not only to footwear 1110, and suitable for the various features of footwear 1110.

Footwear 1110 may include footwear sole construction 1150 and the vamp 1155 fixed to footwear sole construction 1150.As shown in Fig. 2, Vamp 1155 may include one or more material elements (for example, grid, textile, foam, leather and synthetic leather), It can be connected to define the inner cavity 1165 for the foot for being configured to accommodate wearer.Material elements can be selected and by cloth It sets, selectively to assign the characteristic of such as light weight, durability, gas permeability, wearability, flexibility and comfort.Vamp 1155 Throat's opening 1160 can be defined, the foot of wearer passes through throat opening that can be received into cavity 1165.

Footwear sole construction 1150 can be fixedly attached to vamp 1155 (for example, using adhesive, suture, welding or its His suitable technology), and can have the configuration extended between vamp 1155 and ground.Footwear sole construction 1150 may include Device for ground reaction force of decaying (i.e. in vertically and horizontally duration of load buffering and stabilizing foot).In addition, sole knot Structure 1150 can be configured to provide attachment frictional force, give stability and control or limit various foot movements, as varus, Rotation or other movements afterwards.

One or more types that the configuration of footwear sole construction 1150 can on it be used according to footwear sole construction 1155 Ground and significantly change.For example, disclosed concept can be adapted for the footwear for being configured to use on any various surfaces, These surfaces include chamber internal surface or outdoor face.The configuration of footwear sole construction 11150 can be based on footwear 1110 and be expected on it The property and condition on the surface used and change.For example, footwear sole construction 1150 can be harder or softer according to surface And change.In addition, footwear sole construction 1150 can be customized to be used under conditions of moist or dry.

In some embodiments, footwear sole construction 1150 can configure for specific specialized surface or condition.For example, In some embodiments, footwear 1110 are shown in the accompanying drawings as running shoes, and correspondingly, 1150 quilt of footwear sole construction shown It is configured to provide buffering, stability and attachment frictional force on hard smooth surface such as road surface.However, the footwear shoes proposed Surface construction can be adapted for any kind of footwear, such as basketball, Association football, rugby and other motor activities.Correspondingly, exist In some embodiments, footwear sole construction 1150 may be configured on hard chamber internal surface (such as hardwood), soft natural grass surfaces Or attachment frictional force and stability are provided on hard synthetic turf surfaces.In some embodiments, footwear sole construction 1150 can To be configured to use on multiple and different surfaces.

In some embodiments, footwear sole construction 1150 may include multiple components, and multiple components can be individually or total Together be footwear 1110 several attributes are provided, such as support, rigidity, flexibility, stability, buffering, comfort, reduction weight or Other attributes.As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, footwear sole construction 1150 may include inner sole/insole (see figure 46), the external sole component 1152 of midsole 1151 and contact ground, the external sole component 1152 for contacting ground can have There is the lower surface 1153 on exposed contact ground.However, in some cases, one or more in these components can be by It omits.

Inner sole can be arranged in the chamber 1165 defined by vamp 1155.Inner sole can extend through shoes front area 10, each in shoes central region 12 and heel area 14 and extend between the lateral surface and medial surface of footwear 1100. Inner sole can be formed by deformable (for example, compressible) material, such as polyurethane foam or other foam of polymers materials Material.Therefore, inner sole can buffer and can also comply with foot since its compressibility provides, to provide comfort, support And stability.

Midsole 1151 can be fixedly attached to the lower area of vamp 1155 (for example, by suture, adhesive knot Conjunction, thermal (such as welding) or other technologies) or can be integrated with vamp 1155.Midsole 1151 can extend In shoes front area 10, shoes central region 12 and heel area 14 each and in the lateral surface of footwear 100 and inside Extend between face.In some embodiments, the part of midsole 1151 can be exposed around the periphery of footwear 1110, such as Shown in fig. 2.In other embodiments, midsole 1151 can be by material layer of the other elements such as from vamp 1155 It is completely covered.According to the activity that footwear 1110 are intended for, midsole 1151 can be by any suitable with above-mentioned property Material formed.In some embodiments, midsole 160 may include foamed polymer material, such as polyurethane (PU), second Base vinylacetate (ethyl vinyl acetate) (EVA) or the sole knot during walking, running or other motor activities Any other suitable material to work to decaying ground reaction force when structure 1150 contacts ground.

As shown in Fig. 2, footwear 1110 may include that can be arranged on the tongue 2270 tightened in region 1175.Such as Fig. 2 institutes Show, in some embodiments, tightening region 1175 can be arranged in the instep region of footwear 1110.However, in others In embodiment, tightening region can be arranged in the other parts of article of footwear.(see Figure 48 and 49.)

As shown in Fig. 2, footwear 1110 may include the multiple eyelet stays for being configured to accommodate shoestring in tightening region 1175. For example, footwear 1110 may include the first eyelet stay 1181 on the first side for tightening region 1175, the second eyelet stay 1182, Third eyelet stay 1183 and the 4th eyelet stay 1184.In addition, footwear 1110 may include in the second side for tightening region 1175 On the 5th eyelet stay 1185, the 6th eyelet stay 1186, the 7th eyelet stay 1187 and the 8th eyelet stay 1188.Eyelet stay is shown It shows in fig. 2 to meaning property, and can have any of the tensile member that will accommodate conventional shoestring and clamping system 1120 Suitable configuration.

Fig. 2 schematically shows the position of the motor-driven clamping system 1120 when being removably attachable to footwear 1110.Such as Shown by dotted outline 1137, clamping system 1120 can be removably attachable to the heel area 14 of footwear 1110.It is motor-driven Compressing apparatus 1125 can be placed in shell 1190, and shell 1190 can have consistent with the heel counter of footwear 1110 Shape.

It is configured to and the second surface 1128 on the vamp of footwear 1,110 1155 as shown in Fig. 2, shell 1190 can have Matched first surface 1127.In some embodiments, first surface 1127 and second surface 1128 can use hook and ring Fastener material 1129 is removedly attached.In other embodiments, first surface 1127 and second surface 1128 can make It is removedly attached with including the configuration of the tongued and grooved of tongue 2300 and slot 2305.For the purpose demonstrated, 2305 quilt of tongue 2300 and slot It shows to be oriented in substantially horizontal position.Such as realization, tongue 2300 and slot 2305 can be oriented vertically.Such In vertical orientation, shell 1190 can vertically slide into position.In other embodiments, first surface 1127 and second Surface 1128 can use interference fit or frictional fit to be removedly attached.For example, the first protrusion 2310 can extend Into the recess portion 2315 in interference fit.The component of such frictional fit attachment can have any suitable orientation.

It should be noted that the component of these connections can be placed on first surface 1127 or second surface 1128.For example, hook and ring The hook part of fastener 1129 can be located on first surface 1127 or second surface 1128.The ring portion of hook and ring fastener 1129 Part can be placed on the apparent surface of the hook part.Similarly, tongue 2300 can be located at first surface 1127 or second surface On 1128, and slot 2305 can be located on the surface opposite with tongue 2300.In addition, protrusion 2310 can be located at first surface 1127 or second surface 1128 on, and recess portion 2315 can be located at the surface opposite with protrusion 2310 on.Disclosed in these Interconnecting piece can be removed it is intended that being only exemplary.The selectable type of removable interconnecting piece is also possible, including Such as threaded fastener, cam lock fastener, spring clip type fastener and other removable bindiny mechanisms.

As shown in dotted line 1137, tensile member can pass through beam with the same or similar mode of manual shoestring in Fig. 2 Eyelet in tight region 1175 is tightened.For example, the second tensile member portion 1135 can pass through the 5th eyelet stay 1185, second Eyelet stay 1182, the 7th eyelet stay 1187 and the 4th eyelet stay 1184.Similarly, third tensile member portion 1136 can be worn Cross the first eyelet stay 1181, the 6th eyelet stay 1186, third eyelet stay 1183 and the 8th eyelet stay 1188.Due to the second stretching Component part 1135 and third tensile member portion 1136 can be dismountable from the first tensile member portion 1130, therefore the Two tensile member portions 1135 and third tensile member portion 1136 can be tightened from any one end across eyelet.It should be noted that The mechanical connector that the part of tensile member links together is shown schematically, and in order to which the purpose demonstrated is shown with being amplified Go out.For example, the connector 1235 of the second tensile member portion 1135 and the far-end of third tensile member portion 1136 can be with Including the first connector part 1240 and the second connector part 1245.First connector part 1240 and the second connector part 1245 can be sized for and be configured through the eyelet tightened in region 1175 and tightened.

The method for changing the lacing system of footwear 1110 may include from article of footwear removes tensile member, motor-driven tension is set Standby 1125 and power supply and manual shoestring is tightened into footwear 1110.In some embodiments, by manual shoestring tighten to Article of footwear includes tightening manual shoestring to the tensile member of system 1120 from the eyelet stay that it is removed.From footwear 1110 The step of removing motor-driven compressing apparatus 1125 may include dismantling shell 1190 from the vamp 1155 of footwear 1110.

Fig. 3 is the rear perspective view of the article of footwear 1110 with the clamping system 1120 removedly installed.Such as Fig. 3 institutes Show, shell 1190 is removably attachable to the heel portion of footwear 1110.In addition, the second tensile member portion 1135 and third Tensile member portion 1136 tightened to including the first eyelet stay 1181, the second eyelet stay 1182, the 5th eyelet stay 1185 and In the eyelet stay of 6th eyelet stay 1186.For the purpose demonstrated, in figure 3, the remainder for tightening region has been truncated.

As shown in figure 3, clamping system 1120 may include being configured to apply in tensile member tension to adjust by footwear The motor-driven compressing apparatus 1125 of the size of 1110 inner cavities 1165 defined.Compressing apparatus can be placed in shell 1190.

As being also shown in Fig. 3, system 1120 may include the electricity for being configured to supply electric power to motor-driven compressing apparatus 1125 Source 1205.Shell 1190 can be configured to accommodate motor-driven compressing apparatus 1125 and power supply 1205 and the first tensile member portion 1130。

In some embodiments, power supply 1205 may include one or more batteries.Power supply 1205 is merely intended to make For can be used for motor-driven compressing apparatus 1125 supply electric power one or more types battery technology schematic generation Table.The possible battery technology that can be used is lithium polymer battery.Battery (multiple batteries) can be packaged as putting down , cylindrical or nummular chargeable or interchangeable unit.In addition, battery can be concatenated or in parallel list A unit or multiple units.

Rechargeable battery in place can be recharged or be removed from article for recharging.In some embodiments In, charging circuit can be based upon in plate and establish onboard.In other embodiments, charging circuit can be located at remote In journey charger.In another embodiment, induction charging can be used to charge to one or more batteries.Example Such as, charging antenna can be placed in the footwear sole construction of article, and article then can be placed on charging pad with to battery again Charging.

Other device can be incorporated to be used with maximizing the power of battery and/or improving in other ways.For example, it is also contemplated that Battery can be used with combining super capacitor to handle peak current requirements.In other embodiments, energy harvesting technology can To be incorporated into, utilizes the weight of runner and often walk to generate the power for charging to battery.

Fig. 4 is the rear perspective view of motor-driven clamping system 1120.Fig. 4 includes the system 1120 that exposure is located in shell 1190 The sectional view of the shell 1190 of component.For example, Fig. 4 shows motor-driven compressing apparatus 1125.Fig. 4 shows the outside of compressing apparatus 1125 Shell.The inner wrap mechanism of compressing apparatus 1125 is discussed in more detail below.As shown in figure 4, compressing apparatus 1125 can To be configured to that tension is applied to tensile member into compressing apparatus 1125 by drawing the first tensile member portion 1130, such as By shown in the first arrow 1225 and the second arrow 1230.It should be noted that the route of the first tensile member portion 1130 (routing) it is only schematical, and the more complicated arrangement for such route is possible.

Power supply 1205 and the also exposure of control unit 1215 are in Fig. 4.Control unit 1215 may include various circuit portions Part.In addition, control unit 1215 may include the processor for being configured to control motor-driven compressing apparatus 1125.As shown in figure 4, tensioning System 1120 may include the first cable 1210 extended between power supply 1205 and motor-driven compressing apparatus 1125.In addition, second Cable 1220 can extend between control unit 1215 and compressing apparatus 1125.First cable 1210 and the second cable 1220 can To be configured to transmit electric power between power supply 1205, compressing apparatus 1125 and control unit 1215 and electrical communication signals.

Control unit 1215 is intended merely as to be used together with motor compressing apparatus 1125 one or more The diagrammatic representation of control technology.For example, in the presence of the various motor control sides that can be used to allow speed and direction controlling Method.For some embodiments, micro controller unit can be used.The microcontroller can be using generation commutator pulse to produce The internal interrupt that raw pulsewidth modulation (PWM) exports.PWM outputs, which are fed to, allows the H bridges of high current pwm pulse with speed Control is with the two drive motor clockwise and anticlockwise.However, any other method of motor control known in the art also may be used To be used.

Fig. 5 is mounted in the schematic plan of the clamping system 1120 on footwear 1110.As shown in figure 5, shell 1190 It can be configured to be removably attachable to the heel portion of footwear 1110.Moreover, compressing apparatus 1125, power supply 1205 and control Unit 1215 processed may be accommodated in shell 1190, and shell 1190 can be used for accommodating and protect these components.Such as Fig. 5 institutes Show, in some embodiments, when shell 1190 is attached to the heel portion of footwear 1110, motor-driven tension equipment 1125 can be with It is placed in the decline of footwear 1110.This positioning can promote tension being applied to the medial surface 1260 of footwear 1110 and outer Tensile member in 1265 the two of side.

However, in other embodiments, what any of these components can be placed in article include vamp and/ Or in any other part of footwear sole construction.In some cases, some components can be placed in a part of article, and Other components can be placed in another different part.In another embodiment, motor-driven tension equipment 1125 can be with It is placed at the heel of vamp, while power supply 1205 and/or control unit 1215 can be together with the footwear sole constructions of footwear 1110 It places.For example, in one embodiment, power supply and control unit can be placed in the cable to motor-driven tension equipment 1125 Below the shoes central region 12 of the article 1110 of line interconnecting piece (or simple electrical contact interconnecting piece), motor-driven tension equipment 1125 can be placed in heel area 14.In the other embodiments also having, power supply and control unit can be integrated into machine In dynamic tension equipment.For example, in some embodiments, both battery and control unit can be placed in motor-driven tension equipment In 1125 outer enclosure.

Moreover, in some embodiments, shell 1190 can be configured to the heel at least partly around footwear 1110 Partial medial surface 1260 and lateral surface 1265, also as shown in Figure 5.In Figure 5, control unit 1215 is illustrated in footwear On medial surface 1260 in 1110 heel area 14.Power supply 1205 is illustrated in the outside in the heel area 14 of footwear 1110 On face 1265.In some embodiments, the position of control unit 1215 and power supply 1205 can overturn.However, making thinner Component is located on the medial surface 1260 of footwear 1110 that it may be advantageous.This can enable shell 1190 on medial surface 1260 With than lower profile (as shown in Figure 5) on lateral surface 1265, this, which can be minimized, extends internally and can be wearer's The amount of the shell 1190 of footwear is interfered on another foot.

Fig. 6 is the partial view for tightening region 1175 of the footwear 1110 of the tensile member of the clamping system with installation. As shown in fig. 6, the second tensile member portion 1135 passes through the 7th eyelet stay 1187 and the 4th eyelet stay 1184 to be tightened.In addition, Third tensile member portion 1136 passes through third eyelet stay 1183 and the 8th eyelet stay 1188 to be tightened.As shown in fig. 6, stretching structure Part may include for releasing the second tensile member portion 1135 manually with what third tensile member portion 1136 manually detached Laying mechanism.For example, connector 1235 may include the first connector part in the far-end of the second tensile member portion 1135 1240 and the far-end in third tensile member portion 1136 the second connector part 1245.As shown in fig. 6, in some implementations In scheme, such as the manual release mechanism of connector 1235 can be located in the instep region of footwear 1110.

In order to enable tensile member to be removed from article of footwear, connector 1235 can be easily by manual separation.In this way Manual separation device can promote motor-driven clamping system from footwear 1110 remove.The manual release mechanism can also make tensile member In tension can be released in the case of failure or low battery power.Exemplary manual relieving mechanism may include appointing What suitable connector type.In some embodiments, threaded joints can be used.For example, the first connector part 1240 may include male thread portion, and the second connector part 1245 may include female thread portion.In order to detach connector 1235, the first connector part 1240 and the second connector part 1245 are for example in the first arrow 1250 and the second arrow 1255 It can be twisted on direction.Although Fig. 6 shows threaded couplings, in other embodiments, tensile member can utilize Including snap fit connectors, the connector of hook and container type or known in the art any other kind of tight manually Any other clamp device of firmware.

Fig. 7 shows to discharge the embodiment of system for the exemplary manual of tensile member.With reference to figure 7, article 1000 can With the embodiment similar to front and it may include the clamping system 1002 with shoestring 1004 and motor-driven tension equipment 1006. In this embodiment, a part for shoestring 1004 is equipped with manual release mechanism 1010.In embodiment shown in this article, Manual release mechanism 1010 includes that can manually be disconnected to mitigate the corresponding fastener 1012 of shoestring tension.Such as Fig. 7 institutes Show, in some cases, fastener 1012 includes threaded couplings.However, it includes buckle that other embodiments, which can utilize, Mating connector, the connector of hook and container type or any other kind of fasteners known in the art it is any its Its clamp device.

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 is shown respectively the isometric view of the embodiment of the internal part of motor-driven tension equipment 160 and equidistantly divides Xie Tu.Referring initially to Fig. 8, component is shown as in a part for outer cover unit 212.Outer cover unit 212 can also include interior Portion's casing part 216 and Outer housing sections 218.Outer housing sections 218 may include base panel 210 and outer cover 214, and usually protectiveness outer cover is provided to the component of motor-driven tension equipment 160.Inner shell part 216 can be shaped as propping up Support the component of motor-driven tension equipment 160.As discussed in detail below, in some cases, the part of inner shell part 216 is used In the mobility for limiting some components.

Referring now to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, in some embodiments, motor-driven clamping system 160 may include the (signal of motor 220 Property is shown in fig.9).In some embodiments, motor 220 can be electric notor.However, in other embodiments, Motor 220 may include any kind of non-electric notor known in the art.The example packet for the different motors that can be used It includes but is not limited to：DC motors (for example, permanent magnet motor, have brush DC motors, brushless DC motor, switched reluctance motor, etc.), AC motors (for example, with sliding rotor motor, synchronous electric, asynchronous electric notor, induction motor, etc.), general motor, stepping horse It reaches, piezo-electric motor and any other kind of motors known in the art.Motor 220 can also include that can be used to drive The motor bent axle 222 of one or more components of motor-driven clamping system 160.It is used for motor including various batteries The device of 220 supply electric power is discussed in detail below.

In some embodiments, motor-driven clamping system 160 may include the output speed for reducing motor 220 and increasing Add the device of the torque generated by motor 220.In some embodiments, motor-driven clamping system 160 may include one or more Multiple gear reduction assemblies and/or gear reduction system.In some embodiments, motor-driven clamping system 160 may include list A gear reduction assemblies.In other embodiments, motor-driven clamping system 160 may include two or more The gear decelerations Component.In one embodiment, motor-driven clamping system 160 includes first gear reduction assemblies 230 and second gear deceleration group Part 232 may be collectively termed as gear reduction system 228.First gear reduction assemblies 230 can be usually with motor 220 and/ Or the coaxial spur gear reduction assemblies that bent axle 222 is aligned.On the contrary, second gear reduction assemblies 232 can be provided in usually vertically In the other The gear deceleration that the side of the orientation of bent axle 222 upwardly extends.Relative to outer cover unit 212, first gear deceleration group Part 230 can extend on the longitudinal direction of outer cover unit 212, while second gear reduction assemblies 232 can be in outer cover unit 212 transverse direction (or horizontal) side upwardly extends.The combination for the gear by using in-line gears and being flatly spaced, relative to song The orientation of axis 222, motor 220 can be parallel to spool and corresponding spool axis be arranged it is (such as following to be discussed in more detail ).The arrangement can be reduced coordinates longitudinal direction required in outer cover unit 212 by all components of motor-driven tension equipment 160 Space.

Each gear reduction assemblies may include one or more gears.In an exemplary embodiment, first gear Reduction assemblies 230 include one or more coaxial spur gears.Moreover, first gear reduction assemblies 230 can be driven by bent axle 222 It is dynamic, and the first gear 234 of its own driving second gear reduction assemblies 232.

In one embodiment, it includes first gear 234, that second gear reduction assemblies 232, which can be configured to have, 4 grades of spur gears of two gears 235, third gear 236 and the 4th gear 237.In this embodiment, as in greater detail below Ground description, the 4th gear 237 serves as the gripper of the other component for rotating motor-driven tension equipment 160.Second tooth The existing embodiment for taking turns reduction assemblies 232 includes four gears.However, other embodiments can use any other number The gear of amount.Equally, in different implementation scenarios, including the quantity of the gear of first gear reduction assemblies 230 can change. Additionally, in different implementation scenarios, the gear being used in first gear reduction assemblies 230 and/or second gear component 232 Type can change.In some cases, spur gear can be used.The other examples for the gear that can be used include but not It is limited to：Helical gear, external gear, internal gear, bevel gear, ring gear, worm-gear toothing, noncircular gear, rack-and-pinion, week Gear and/or the various types of rotating disk, planetary gear, harmonic drive gear, cage gear, magnetic gear and any other type Gear any combinations.Quantity, type and the arrangement of gear for gear reduction system 228 can be selected to realize Desired compromise between the size of motor-driven clamping system 160, torque and speed.

In some embodiments, motor-driven clamping system 160 may include the device for winding and unwinding shoestring part. In some embodiments, motor-driven clamping system 160 may include spool 240.In some cases, spool 240 can also wrap Include the first accommodating portion 242 and the second accommodating portion 244 of the part for accommodating shoestring and spring respectively.Moreover, one In a little situations, the first accommodating portion 242 may include the first shoestring winding zone 246 and the second shoestring winding zone 248, The both ends of shoestring can be used to individually wind in some cases.Since torque output declines as shoestring diameter increases, It can contribute to reduce the diameter of the winding shoestring on spool 240 using the individual winding zone of each string end, and Therefore the reduction of torque output is minimized.In some cases, the first shoestring winding zone 246 and the second shoestring winding zone 248 can be detached by dividing part 249, and it may include for for good and all keeping a part for shoestring to divide part 249 Shoestring receiving channel 247 on spool 240.However, in the case of other, the first accommodating portion 242 may include single Shoestring winding zone.

Motor-driven lacing system 160 may include driving gear and spool for the final stage in second gear reduction assemblies 232 The device of transfer of torque between 240.In some embodiments, motor-driven lacing system 160 may include for allow shoestring Increment tense, increment unclamps and the mode that is totally released by torque from second gear reduction assemblies 232 (or more generally, From gear reduction system 228) it is transmitted to the device of spool 240.In one embodiment, motor-driven lacing system 160 can be with structure It causes with the torque transmitting system for promoting torque to be transmitted to spool 240 from the 4th gear 237 of second gear reduction assemblies 232 250。

Torque transmitting system 250 can also include various assemblies and component.In some embodiments, torque transmitting system 250 may include ratchet assembly 252, axis 254 and rotational control assemblies 256.As being discussed in greater detail below, torque passes The component of defeated system 250 promotes torque being transmitted to spool 240 from the 4th gear 237 of second gear reduction assemblies 232.More Body, these components are to allow increment to tense (spool winding), increment unclamps (spool unwinding) and tension release completely (at this There is no that torque is transmitted to spool 240 from the 4th gear 237 during time) mode operate.

In some embodiments, motor-driven tension equipment 160 can also include secondary winding element 260.In some implementations In scheme, secondary winding element 260 can be configured to apply torque to spool independently of any torque applied by motor 220 240.In some embodiments, for example, secondary winding element 260 includes spring member 262 and rotatable spring bearing 264. Spring member 262 can extend between the second accommodating portion 244 and spring bearing 264 of spool 240.Particularly, spring structure The first end part 263 of part 262 can be related to spool 240, while the second end part 265 of spring member 262 can be with It is related to spring bearing 264.In operation, spring member 262 can be configured to there is no other power or torque (for example, working as There are when shoestring relaxation) in the case of apply the biasing that can tend to make spool 240 to rotate on the direction of shoestring winding and turn round Square.Spring member 262 can be wind spring, constant force spring, constant-torque spring, clock spring and any other kind of Spring.

Some embodiments can also include fixing bearing 266, which can be related to the end of axis 254. In some embodiments, fixing bearing 266 may be accommodated in the recess portion 268 of inner shell part 216.In some implementations In scheme, the end of axis 254 can be placed in the opening 269 of fixing bearing 266, and the end of axis 254 may be constructed such that Axis 254 is allow to slide through opening 269 to provide some axial movements to axis 254.

In some embodiments, motor-driven tension equipment 160 may include for according to one or more feedback signals Adjust the device of the operation of motor 220.In some embodiments, for example, motor-driven tension equipment 160 may include limit switch Component 258.In general, limit switch assembly 258 can detect the electric current across the part of rotational control assemblies 256, and according to inspection The electric current of survey changes the operation of motor 220.The other details of operation about limit switch assembly 258 is in further detail below It discusses.

For the purpose of reference, the following detailed description is in describing direction of rotation of one or more components around axis Use term " the first direction of rotation " and " the second direction of rotation ".For convenience, the first direction of rotation and the second rotation Direction refers to the direction of rotation of the longitudinal axis 284 (see Figure 12) around axis 254, and typically opposite direction of rotation.When from axis When the advantage point of 254 first end part 620 checks the component, the first direction of rotation can surround longitudinal axis with finger 284 rotate clockwise.The first end part 620 of axis 254 can be and 237 relevant end sections of the 4th gear.When from When identical advantage point checks the component, the second direction of rotation can be rotated to be with component around the counterclockwise of longitudinal axis 284 Feature.

The brief overview of the operation of motor-driven tension equipment 160 is described herein.The detailed description of operation is provided below.Increasing It measures in tension pattern, motor 220 can start operation to rotate bent axle 222.Bent axle 222 can rotate first gear reduction assemblies 230 input gear so that the first of the output gear driving second gear reduction assemblies 232 of first gear reduction assemblies 230 Gear 234.The rotation of both intermediate second gears 235 and third gear 236, this drives the 4th gear in the first rotational direction 237.When the 4th gear 237 rotates, the 4th gear 237 can engage and driving torque Transmission system 250 so that spool 240 It can finally start to rotate in the first rotational direction.This causes shoestring 152 to be wrapped in the first accommodating portion 242 of spool 240 On.

In increment release pattern, motor 220 can be operated to rotate bent axle 222.In the release pattern, motor 220 It is above being rotated in the opposite direction with the relevant side of tension with bent axle 222.Then the gear reduction system 228 is driven so that 4th gear 237 of second gear reduction assemblies 232 rotates in a second rotational direction.Pattern is tensed on the contrary, increasing with increment It measures in release pattern, the 4th gear 237 does not directly drive part and the spool 240 of torque transmitting system 250.On the contrary, the 4th tooth Movement of the wheel 237 in the second direction of rotation causes torque transmitting system 250 to discharge spool 240 very briefly, to allow spool 240 to move back Around scheduled amount, after the unwinding, torque transmitting system 250 is re-engaged spool 240 and prevents further unwinding.As long as 4th gear 237 rotates in a second rotational direction, occurs to the reiteration of this release and capture spool 240.Realizing should The other details for the method that increment unclamps is described in detail in the following.

Finally, in the pattern opened or be totally released, the operation of torque transmitting system 250 is so that there is no torque It is transmitted to spool 240 from any part of torque transmitting system 250.In this mode, spool 240 can be on the direction of unwinding It is more easily rotated around axis 254 (for example, when wearer manually unclamps shoestring 152 to take off article 100).When along the shoes When band forms relaxation, secondary winding element 260 can apply a small amount of torques to the second accommodating portion 244 of spool 240, this use In taking up the relaxation on shoestring 152.

Figure 10-14 show include the component of torque transmitting system 250 various schematic diagrames.For purposes of clarity, these Component is shown in the form of being isolated from the other parts of motor-driven tension equipment 160.Additionally, some components are not shown or can be It is shown with phantom to show internal part in some views.

Referring initially to Figure 10 and Figure 11, ratchet assembly 252 may include several components, these components include the 4th gear 237, (ratchet shell 602 is not shown in fig. 11 so that the 4th gear is better shown for pawl component 600 and ratchet shell 602 237, the relative position of pawl component 600 and spool 240).4th gear 237 may include the projection portion 604 extended. In some embodiments, the projection portion 604 of the extension further includes the rubbing surface 606 for contacting pawl component 600.4th gear 237 can also include the internal thread chamber 608 that can engage the screw thread on axis 254.For convenience, when the 4th gear serves as In face of pawl component 600 and the element of pawl component 600 is directly driven, and acts also as the final stage of second gear reduction assemblies 232 When driving gear, the 4th gear 237 is characterized as a part for both ratchet assembly 252 and second gear reduction assemblies 232.Especially Ground, it should be understood that the 4th gear 237 is characterized as to a part for a component can't interfere it related from different components.

In some embodiments, pawl component 600 is configured to connection ratchet shell 602.Particularly, prolong from pawl arm 611 The tooth 610 stretched can engage the corresponding tooth 612 on ratchet shell 602.In some cases, the geometry of pawl arm 611 and Tooth 610 provides a kind of arrangement, and in this arrangement, pawl component 600 can be in the first rotational direction in 602 inward turning of ratchet shell Turn, but pawl component 600 is stopped on the second direction of rotation opposite with the first direction of rotation in 602 inward turning of ratchet shell Turn.

In some embodiments, pawl component 600 includes the protrusion of engagement surface 614, the 4th gear of crowning pair 237 rubbing surface 606 and the rubbing surface 606 that the 4th gear 237 can be engaged.When the rubbing surface 606 of the 4th gear 237 with engage When the projection contacts on the surface 614 of pawl component 600, the 4th gear 237 can drive pawl component 600.Moreover, ratchet assembly 252 single direction ratchet design ensures that the 4th gear 237 may only drive pawl component 600 in the first rotational direction.

Pawl component 600 may include spool engagement surface 616 (seeing also Figure 16), and spool engagement surface 616 faces spool 240 first end 670.When spool engagement surface 616 is pressed by enough frictional force against spool 240, pawl structure Part 600 can be used to drive spool 240 in the first rotational direction.Therefore, in configuration in fig. 11 is shown, by The 4th gear 237, pawl component 600 and spool 240 is set all to be clamped together under enough frictional force, the 4th gear 237 can be used for driving pawl component 600 and therefore drive spool 240.

Ratchet assembly 252 is merely intended to be that can be used to torque being transmitted to the unidirectional torque transmission mechanism of spool to show Example.Other embodiments are not restricted to ratchet-like mechanism and may include other one-way mechanisms.The other lists that can be used Include but not limited to the example of mechanism：Ball bearing, freewheel clutch, ratchet and pawl and other mechanisms.

Figure 12-14 shows that the various views of the other component of torque transmitting system 250, torque transmitting system 250 include Axis 254 and rotational control assemblies 256.Particularly, Figure 12 shows the exploded view of the separation of axis 254 and rotational control assemblies 256, together When Figure 13-14 show different angle these components some parts of assembled view.

Axis 254 may include first end part 620.In some embodiments, first end part 620 may include Screw thread 624.In some cases, screw thread 624 can engage the internal thread chamber 608 (see Figure 10) of the 4th gear 237, this can promote Into the 4th the moving to axial along axis 254 of gear 237.Axis 254 can also include the opening 269 of engagement fixing bearing 266 The second end part 622.In some embodiments, the middle section 626 of axis 254 can be placed in first end part 620 Between the second end part 622.

The various parts of axis 254 are configured to accommodate the component of torque transmitting system 250 and spool 240.First end part 620 and the second end part 622 can be related to ratchet assembly 252 and rotational control assemblies 256 respectively.Middle section 626 can To be inserted into the center cavity 690 of spool 240 (see Figure 15) so that spool 240 can surround middle section 262 and rotate.

In some embodiments, the middle section 626 of axis 254 further includes the flange part to extend radially outwardly from axis 254 Divide 628.Flange portion 628 may include the spool on the surface 630 of Bonding contact spool 240.The apparent surface of flange portion 628 (not shown) can face rotational control assemblies 256.In some embodiments, flange portion 628 may include one or more Multiple slots 632.

In some embodiments, rotational control assemblies 256 may include joint plate 640 and compressed spring 642.At some In embodiment, joint plate 640 further includes the pin 644 extended towards joint plate 640 and spool 240.In some embodiments, Pin 644 can be inserted through the slot 632 of flange portion 628.Moreover, in some cases, pin 644 can be inserted into spool (see Figure 15) in 240 alignment hole 650, this can prevent axis 254 and spool 240 from being independently of one another.

As shown in figs. 12-14, the component of rotational control assemblies 256 is placed along the second end part 622 of axis 254.One In a little embodiments, compressed spring 642 can be placed between joint plate 640 and fixing bearing 266 so that compressed spring 642 It can be used in the axial direction towards 240 biased engagement plate 640 of flange portion 628 and spool.

In other embodiments, selectable method can be used for releasedly coupling spindle and spool.Example packet It includes the physical interlock feature of other types or increases feature including frictional force.As an example, axial compatible friction connection can To use wave washer or Belleville washer to realize.

Figure 15 shows that spool 240 is in the isometric view of the embodiment of the form of isolation.As described previously, spool 240 include the device of the pin 644 for accommodating joint plate 640.In this case, four alignment holes 650 surround the second end face 673 are substantially evenly spaced apart.Additionally, the specific view of spool 240, which is clearly shown, can be used to keep spring The slot 675 of the end of component 262.

Referring now to Figure 16, the component of torque transmitting system 250 is shown with their configurations along the assembly of axis 254.For The purpose of reference, spool 240 are shown as in the form of phantom on axis 254.In addition, the cross section of inner shell part 216 Part is shown for referring to.Also as shown in figure 8, when in inner shell part 216, torque transmitting system 250 Some components carry out any axial movement by limitation.For example, spool 240 and ratchet shell 602 are limited in axial direction (or edge The longitudinal direction of axis 254) on move.On the contrary, can be enclosed along 620 threaded 4th gear 237 of the first end part of axis 254 It is rotated around axis 254 and axially translates (due to being threadedly engaged) along axis 254.In some embodiments, inner shell part 216 Wall part 652 limit axial movement of the 4th gear 237 on the direction far from ratchet assembly 252.

The arrangement of torque transmitting system 250 shown here also allows both rotation and the axial translation of axis 254.Especially The second end part 622 on ground, axis 254 can slide through fixing bearing 266, while 620 quilt of first end part of axis 254 It is placed in the channel 660 for some the inner shell parts 216 being axially moved for also allowing axis 254 (see Fig. 8).In some embodiments In, the amount of axial translation can be included the spy of contact and possible other feature between flange portion 628 and spool 240 Sign limitation.

In order to show operation of the torque transmitting system 250 during increment tenses, increment is unclamped and is totally released, Figure 17 to Figure 26 shows the schematic diagram of torque transmitting system 250 and spool 240.Referring initially to Figure 17, at torque transmitting system 250 In the configuration that shoestring is totally released.More specifically, the configuration is to be transmitted to volume from torque transmitting system 250 without torque The configuration of axis 240.In the configuration, the 4th gear 237 can be spaced apart with pawl component 600 (being placed in ratchet shell 602), So that no torque is transmitted to pawl component 600 from the 4th gear 237.Moreover, the 4th gear 237 is not used to provide against spine Any clamping pressure of claw component 600 and spool 240, spool 240 can be rotated and not come from first end part 670 The resistance of any substance of pawl component 600.Moreover, in the configuration, joint plate 640 and flange portion 628 and spool 640 The second end 672 be spaced apart so that spool 240 will not also undergo any rotational resistance at the second end 672.Although internal The feature of casing part 612 prevents any axial motion of spool 240, but in the configuration, and spool 240 can be in the first rotation It is rotated on direction or the second direction of rotation.As described previously, spool 240 can be in the first direction of rotation (that is, shoestring winding side To) on by 260 (not shown) bias of secondary winding element rotate, this is biased at the second accommodating portion 244 to spool Torque.However, the biasing force in relaxed state can just sufficiently large pulling, and can by wearer pull shoestring so that Shoestring unwinds from spool 240 and is relatively simply overcome.Therefore, although in the tension for not being applied to spool 240 by shoestring In the case of, spool 240 will be biased to wind in relaxation, but spool 240 can relatively free to rotate in the configuration.

As also shown in fig. 17, in the configuration being totally released, the contact 259 of limit switch assembly 258 against Joint plate 640 is pressed.The contact with joint plate 640 provides continuity to the switch so that electric current can contact 259 it Between flow.

Figure 18 show when 220 (not shown) of motor start rotation when, the operation of torque transmitting system 250.Initially, motor 220 driving gear reduction systems 228 so that the 4th gear 237 revolves on the first direction of rotation (being schematically shown by arrow 700) Turn.When the 4th gear 237 rotates in the first rotational direction, due to the hickey between the 4th gear 237 and axis 254, 4th gear 237 axially (is indicated) to translate towards pawl component 600 by arrow 702.4th gear 237 continues rotation and axial direction Ground translates the contact of rubbing surface 606 until projection portion 604 and presses on the raised engagement surface 614 of pawl component 600.At this On a bit, preloading from compressed spring 642 can above carry in joint plate 640 and flange portion 628 (it is coupled) For some resistances to prevent axis 254 from rotating, while the 4th gear 237 is axially translated along axis 254.The not resistance, or friction Another of power or resistance source, axis 254 can tend to rotate together with the 4th gear 237 so that the 4th gear 237 cannot Axially translate.

Figure 19 show the torque transmitting system 250 in spool 240 can start to involve in the configuration of shoestring operation (that is, Torque transmitting system 250 is in increment and tenses pattern).In this case, although the contact with pawl component 600 prevents the 4th tooth 237 any other axial translations along axis 254 are taken turns, but motor 220 (is schematically referred in the first direction of rotation by arrow 700 Go out) on continue drive the 4th gear 237.Therefore, when the 4th gear 237 is rotated further, axis 254 is axially translated (such as arrow 706 schematically point out) so that first end part 620 is further translated from spool 240.When axis 254 axially translates, The second end 672 of flange portion 628 against spool 240 compresses, and allows the alignment hole of 644 spliced reel 254 of pin (see Figure 15). This locks together axis 254 and spool 240, and prevents the relative rotation of two components.Flange portion 628 and spool 240 Between contact prevent axis 254 any other axial translation.In this regard, by ratchet assembly 252 against spool 240 First end part 670 is clamped, and the other driving of the 4th gear 237 in the first direction of rotation by arrow 708 for (being illustrated Property is pointed out) on spinning reel 240.As long as motor 240 continues to drive the 4th gear 237, shoestring that can be wrapped in spool 240 On.

It can also as can be seen from Figure 19, when flange 628 is towards the movement of spool 240 and joint plate 640 is in compressed spring 642 Power under the action of at any time, limit switch assembly 258 is detached with joint plate 640.This destroys the company of the electric current between contact 259 Continuous property.

Figure 20 and Figure 21 shows the short distance schematic diagram of some components.For the purpose demonstrated, schematic shoestring 720 and volume Axis 240 is shown together.With reference to figure 20 and Figure 21, ratchet assembly 252 ensures that torque may only be transferred to from the 4th gear 237 Pawl component 600 and spool 240, and will not vice versa.Particularly, the one-way operation of ratchet assembly 252 is prevented by spool 240 Torque axis pawl component 600, the 4th gear 237 and the final rotation motor 220 of generation.In other words, as described previously, Ratchet assembly 252 serves as the load for preventing spool 240 from being not intended to rotation on the second direction of rotation (that is, the unreeling direction) and keeps machine Structure.This, which is arranged in motor 220 and stops or be applied to by shoestring the torque of spool 240, exceeds and by the 4th gear 237 is applied to spool Torque in the case of, can contribute to prevent spool 240 rewind motor 220.

Figure 22-25 shows the operation of the torque transmitting system 250 in increment release pattern.In some embodiments In, increment release can be happened in several stages.During in the first stage, as shown in Figure 22 and 23,220 quilt of motor Operation is the 4th gear 237 of driving on the second direction of rotation (schematically being pointed out by arrow 730).This leads to the 4th gear 237 Pawl component 600 and spool 240 are axially translated away from the direction schematically pointed out by arrow 732.When the 4th gear 237 When being translated away from pawl component 600, the folder between the first end 670 of the 4th gear 237, pawl component 600 and spool 240 Clamp force is released.During second stage, as shown in figure 24, then the tension in shoestring causes spool 240 in the second rotation Turn to rotate on direction (schematically being pointed out by arrow 734).Since spool 240 and axis 254 are physically locked at this stage Together, axis 254 and spool 240 rotate on the second direction of rotation (schematically being pointed out by arrow 736) together.When axis 254 rotates When, threaded connection (and provided by gear reduction system 228 and motor 220 between axis 254 and the 4th gear 237 The rotational resistance of four gears 237) cause the 4th gear 237 axially to be translated towards pawl component 600.In the last stage, As shown in figure 25, the 4th gear 237, pawl component 600 and spool 240 are clamped together, this prevents spool 240 second It is further rotated on direction of rotation.These three stages can successively repeat incrementally to unwind shoestring from spool 240.

Figure 26 shows the operation in the torque transmitting system 250 being totally released in pattern (or complete release mode).Ginseng Figure 26 is examined, motor 220 can drive the 4th gear 237 to rotate on the second direction of rotation (schematically being pointed out by arrow 740), directly Being low enough to shoestring tension makes spool 240 no longer unwind.In some embodiments, the 4th gear 237 can continue to rotate Until the 4th gear 237 encounters the hard stop stop provided by the wall part 652 of inner shell part 216.Due to the 4th gear 237 It can not further translate, cause axis 254 schematically being pointed out by arrow 742 by 220 Continuous Drive of motor the 4th gear 237 It is axially translated on direction, until joint plate 628 is no longer locked together with spool 240 (that is, until pin 644 and spool 240 It is aligned hole 650 to be detached from).In this regard, joint plate 640 contacts the contact 259 of limit switch assembly 258, is opened to complete limit The continuity of pass, this further results in the stopping of motor 220.Although existing in the first rotational direction by secondary winding element 260 Some biass provided, but this makes spool 240 be in the state being totally released and can relatively free to rotate.

Secondary winding element can be configured to be substantially independent of torque transmitting system operation.This can allow to pass in torque Winding element dragging relaxation during the various stages of the operation of defeated system.Particularly, secondary winding element can be configured to The relaxation in tensile member (for example, shoestring) is dragged, this can be happened at the tension of tensile member, unclamp and be totally released During.

Figure 27 to Figure 29 shows some parts of schematic isometric view of motor-driven compressing apparatus 160.More specifically, Figure 27 The general operation of the secondary winding element 260 during the different operation modes of the system is intended to show that Figure 29.Figure 27 shows Go out the configuration of the motor compressing apparatus 160 operated in tension pattern.In this mode, the 4th gear 237 is with torque transmission System 250 cooperation in the first rotational direction drive spool 240, and thus around spool 240 wind shoestring 800.In this mode, When spool 240 is driven by a motor, spring member 262 can be wound to spring bearing 264 from spool 240.

With reference next to Figure 28, when motor-driven compressing apparatus 160 in being totally released pattern when operating, the tension of shoestring 800 On the second winding direction spinning reel 240 and from spool 240 unwind shoestring 800.When spool 240 twines in a second rotational direction Around when, spring member 262 can unwind from spring bearing 264 and unwind in the second accommodating portion 244 of spool 240.This permits Perhaps spring member 262 is back to default configuration, and in the default configuration, secondary winding element 260 tends on winding direction Biased reel 240 is to drag relaxation.

With reference next to Figure 29, motor-driven compressing apparatus 160 is provided to the pattern of spool 240 in no torque by motor Middle operation.In addition, relaxation develops in shoestring 800 so that shoestring 800 does not apply big torque to spool 240.In such case Under, it is secondary to twine when spring member 262 is unwound from the second accommodating portion 244 of spool 240 and is unwound to spring bearing 264 Biasing force is provided to wind spool 240 in the first rotational direction around component 260.

Secondary winding element 260 can promptly be wound by ensuring to relax when motor 220 is detached from, and be opened to improve The availability of clamping system 150.This is desired, so user can quickly put on footwear or take off footwear, without waiting for horse It relaxes up to winding.In the shown embodiment, this rapid relaxation winding is realized using constant force spring, constant force spring storage In the presence of on idle running spool and on unwinding a to end of shoestring spool.However, in other embodiments, it is multiple and different Element or system can be used for the rapid relaxation winding.For example, in another embodiment, not having and slowing down or with light Second fractional motor of The gear deceleration can be used for the winding that relaxes.In the other embodiments also having, other spring elements can To be used.For example, in another embodiment, elastic torsion spring can be used.In another embodiment party also having In case, gear clock spring can be used.Moreover, in other embodiments, spring member can be wrapped in tension system On other components of system.For example, showing in the selectable embodiment of Figure 30, spring member 820 is configured at one end Place is wound around spool 240, and is wound around motor 220 at the other end.The selectable arrangement can be provided for motor-driven The slightly overall compact configuration of tension system.The speed of shoestring is completely wound around and unwound in addition to improving, and is twined completely using motor Battery life around the system with unwinding shoestring can significantly be improved.

The position of motor-driven tension equipment can change from an embodiment to another embodiment.The embodiment party shown Case displaying is placed in the motor-driven tension equipment on the heel of vamp.However, other embodiments may include in article of footwear Motor-driven tension equipment in any other position, any other position include the shoes front part and shoes mid portion of vamp. In the other embodiments also having, motor-driven tension equipment can be placed in the footwear sole construction of article.Motor-driven tension equipment Position can be selected according to various factors including but not limited to below：Size limitation, manufacture limitation, aesthetic preference, most preferably Tighten position, convenient for removal and possible other factors.

In motor-driven tension equipment 160 by the external embodiment on vamp 102, wearer can be by removing shell The part of unit 212 (see Fig. 1) and access component.For example, in some cases, the situation lower winding shaft 240 of ring is broken in shoestring Can be interchangeable.

Some embodiments may include the device for being incorporated into motor-driven tension equipment in the removable member of footwear. In one embodiment, motor-driven tension equipment can be incorporated into external heel counter.In some cases, external heel Stabilizer may be used as installing motor-driven tension equipment to the harness of article.In such embodiments, the outside shoes It may be particularly suitable for accommodating motor-driven tension equipment with stabilizer.It is configured to stablize with the heel that shoestring tension equipment is used together The example of device is disclosed in (the present U.S. Patent Application No. 13/ of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0312293 of Gerber 481,132, in submission on May 25th, 2012 and entitled " Article of Footwear with Protective Member For a Control Device "), the complete disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference.

Figure 31 shows the schematic isometric view of the embodiment for the article of footwear 100 for being configured with clamping system 150.Working as In preceding embodiment, article of footwear 100 is also referred to simply as article 100 hereinafter, is shown in the form of sport footwear such as running shoe Go out.However, in other embodiments, clamping system 150 can be used together with any other kind of footwear, including but It is not limited to：Nailed climbing boots, football boot, olive sneakers, sneaker, running shoe, cross-training footwear, Rugby football shoes, The shoes of basketball shoes, spike and other types.Moreover, in some embodiments, article 100 can be configured to it is each various The non-athletic related footwear of class are used together, including but not limited to：Slippers, sandals, high heel footwear, flat heel and any other The footwear of type.As being discussed in more detail below, clamping system is not limited to footwear, and in other embodiments, tensioning System can be used together with various clothes, include the clothes of work clothes, sports equipment, sports equipment and other types Dress.In the other embodiments also having, clamping system can be used together with holder such as Medical rack.

Article 100 may include vamp 102 and footwear sole construction 104.In general, vamp 102 can be any kind of vamp.It is special Not, vamp 102 can have any design, shape, size and/or color.For example, being the embodiment party of basketball shoes in article 100 In case, vamp 102 can be shaped as to provide the high side vamp of high support on ankle.It is running shoe in article 100 In embodiment, vamp 102 can be low shoes face.

In some embodiments, footwear sole construction 104 may be constructed to article 100 and provide attachment frictional force.In addition to carrying Other than attachment frictional force, during walking, running or other ambulatory activities, footwear sole construction 104 can foot and ground it Between decay when being compressed ground reaction force.The construction of footwear sole construction 104 can significantly change in various embodiments, with Including various conventional or unconventional structure.In some cases, the configuration of footwear sole construction 104 can be according to footwear sole construction 104 The ground surfaces of the one or more of types that can be used on it constructs.The example of ground surface includes but not limited to：It Right turf, synthetic turf, muddy ground and other surfaces.

In different implementation scenarios, footwear sole construction 104 may include different component.For example, footwear sole construction 104 can be with Including footwear outer bottom, midsole and/or inner sole.In addition, in some cases, footwear sole construction 104 may include being configured to increase Add one or more anti-skid stud components or traction elements with the attachment frictional force of ground surface.

In some embodiments, footwear sole construction 104 can be connect with vamp 102.In some cases, 102 structure of vamp It causes to wind around foot and footwear sole construction 104 is fixed to foot.In some cases, vamp 102 may include being provided to The opening 130 of the entrance of the inner cavity of article 100.

Clamping system 150 may include the size for adjusting opening 130 and therefore tense (or release) around wearer Foot vamp 102 various parts and system.In some embodiments, clamping system 150 may include shoestring 152 with And motor-driven tension equipment 160.Shoestring 152 can be configured to across a variety of different lace-guiding parts 154, lace-guiding part 154 Can further to throat opening 132 edge it is related.In some cases, lace-guiding part 154 can be provided similar to shoes The function of traditional eyelet on face.Particularly, when shoestring 152 is pulled or is tensioned, throat's opening 132 can be usually punctured into So that vamp 102 is tightened up around foot.

The arrangement of lace-guiding part 154 in the embodiment is merely intended to be exemplary, and should be understood that other real The scheme of applying is not limited to the specific configuration for lace-guiding part 154.Moreover, showing lace-guiding part in embodiments 154 specific type is also exemplary, and other embodiments can merge the lace-guiding part of any other type Or similar lace device.For example, in some other embodiments, shoestring 154 can be inserted into across traditional eyelet. Some examples for the lace-guiding device that can be incorporated in embodiment, which disclose, is announcement on January 5th, 2012 and entitled " Lace In the U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0000091 of the Cotterman of Guide " et al., the disclosure of which passes through Reference is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.Other example, which discloses, is announcement on November 3rd, 2011 and entitled " Reel Based The U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/ of the Goodman of Lacing System " (" the shoestring application based on reel ") et al. In 0266384, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety by reference.Lace-guiding part also have other show The open U.S. for being the announcement on the 22nd of September in 2011 and the Kerns of entitled " Guides For Lacing Systems " et al. of example During patent application publication number is 2011/0225843, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety by reference.

Shoestring 152 may include any kind of shoelace material known in the art.The example packet for the shoestring that can be used Include cable or fiber with low elastic modulus and high tensile.Shoestring may include single line of material, or may include Multiple line of material.Although the extended chain of other types, high-modulus polyethylene fibres material can also be used as shoestring, for being somebody's turn to do The exemplary materials of shoestring are SPECTRA^TM, manufactured by Honeywell of Morris Township NJ.Shoestring also have It is found in the shoestring application based on reel that other illustrative properties can be generally noted above.

In some embodiments, shoestring 152 can pass through lace-guiding part 154, and on entering lace-guiding part 154 After the access portal 156 of side, shoestring 152 can pass through the inner passage (not shown) in vamp 102.In some embodiments In, inner passage extends around the side of vamp 102 and lace-guiding direction may be mounted in the heel portion 14 of vamp 102 Motor-driven tension equipment 160.In some cases, motor-driven tension equipment 160 may include the part for accommodating shoestring 152 Device.In some cases, the end sections of shoestring 152 leave the inner passage of vamp 102 and pass through motor-driven tension equipment 160 Outer cover unit 212 in hole.

In order to tense and unclamp the purpose of vamp 102, motor-driven tension equipment 160 can be configured to tension being applied automatically To shoestring 152.As described in more detail below, motor-driven tension equipment 160 may include motor-driven for shoestring 152 to be wound to The spool of the inside of tension equipment 160 and the device that shoestring 152 is unwound from the spool of the inside of motor-driven tension equipment 160.Moreover, The device may include automatically winding spool in response to various inputs or control and unwinding the electric notor of spool.

For that can be different in different implementation scenarios by the device of motor-driven tension equipment 160 installation to vamp 102 's.In some cases, motor-driven tension equipment 160 can be removedly attached so that motor-driven clamping system 160 can by with Family simply removes and changes (for example, when shoestring must be changed).For motor-driven clamping system 160 to be removedly attached Example to the device of vamp 102 is discussed in detail below.In other examples, motor-driven tension equipment 160 can be by forever It is attached to vamp 102 long.For example, in one embodiment, external harness (not shown) can be used in heel portion Motor-driven clamping system 160 is installed to vamp 102 at 14.

In some embodiments, motor-driven tension equipment 160 can be communicated with remote equipment 170.In some instances, machine Dynamic tension equipment 160 can receive the operational order from remote equipment 170.Refer to for example, motor-driven tension equipment 160 can receive It enables so that increased tension is applied to shoestring 152 by winding spool.In some instances, remote equipment 170 can connect Receive the information from motor-driven tension equipment 160.For example, remote equipment 170 can receive it is related to the current tensile in shoestring 152 Information and/or other sensings information.As following reference chart 32 is discussed, remote equipment 170 may be used as to be worn User uses to operate the remote controllers of clamping system 150.

In one embodiment, remote equipment 170 includes mobile phone (for example, iPhone of Apple Inc.'s manufacture). In other embodiments, any other kind of mobile phones for including smart phone can also be used.Implement in others In scheme, any portable electronic device can be used, including but not limited to：Personal digital assistant, digital music player, The portable electronic device of tablet computer, laptop computer, super computers and any other type.In its also having In its embodiment, any other kind of remote equipments can be used, including be specially designed for controlling motor-driven tension equipment 160 remote equipment.In another embodiment being described in detail below, remote equipment 170 may include being worn by user And it is specially designed for the bracelet communicated with motor-driven tension equipment 160, wrist strap and/or armband.The type of remote equipment can root It is needed according to software and hardware, easy to remove, manufacturing expense and possible other factors are selected.

In some embodiments, motor-driven compressing apparatus 160 can be communicated with multiple remote equipments.For example, user can be with It uses mobile device (for example, iPhone) to identify at home and preferred tension setting value, and another remote equipment (example is set Such as, there is bracelet, wrist strap and/or armband, there is more basic controller) and then can be used for motor-driven compressing apparatus 160 Order is sent out, such as when performing physical exercises.For example, bracelet can allow user to call the tension of setting and adjust this Power, but not the new tension for calling later is set.

As already mentioned, remote equipment 170 can be communicated with motor-driven compressing apparatus 160 (or for example, by independent The secondary device of control unit communicated indirectly with motor-driven compressing apparatus 160).The example of different communication means include but It is not limited to：Such as personal area network (for example,) wireless network and local area network (for example, Wi-Fi) and Any kind of method based on RF known in the art.In some embodiments, infrared light can be used to wirelessly communicate. Although the remote equipment 170 carried out wireless communication with motor-driven clamping system 160 is described in detail in the embodiment shown, other Embodiment in, remote equipment 170 and motor-driven clamping system 160 can be connected physically and by one or more conducting wires It is communicated.

For purposes of clarity, single article of footwear is shown in embodiments.However, it should be understood that remote equipment 170 Can be configured to operate corresponding article of footwear, the article of footwear further include similar clamping system (for example, a pair of of footwear, Each there is clamping system).As described below, remote equipment 170 respectively can be used for operating each article independent of each other Clamping system.

Figure 32 shows the schematic diagram of the embodiment of remote equipment 170 comprising the example for controlling clamping system 150 Property user interface is schematically shown.In some embodiments, remote equipment 170 can run shoestring control software and answer With program 180, hereinafter referred application program 180.It is the mobile electricity that can run mobile software application in remote equipment 170 In the embodiment for talking about (or similar digital device), application program 180 can be by user from third party's online shop or website It downloads.Such mobile phone (or similar digital device) may include touch screen LCD device, which can The interaction with user is output and input to be used by application program 180.In some embodiments, LCD or non-tactile Screen LCD is served only for output display.

Application program 180 can be shown and in response to user with the interaction of multiple control buttons 182 and in response to this friendship Mutual initial control command.Exemplary control command can include but is not limited to：The selection of left/right shoes, increment tense, increment is loose It opens, open/be totally released, storing tension and calling/storage tension.In the exemplary implementation scheme of Figure 32, these controls Button includes the first button 191 and the second button 192, they are respectively used to select that the shoes of control command will be received and responded to (left or right).In some embodiments, the first button 191 or the second button 192 can be selected, but the two cannot simultaneously quilt It is selected.In other examples, while both selected first button 191 and the second button 192 can be possible, to allow to use Family tenses, unclamps simultaneously, or opens two shoes.In addition, application program 180 may include being ordered for starting " increment tension " Third button 193, for start " increment release " order the 4th button 194 and for starting " opening " (or being totally released) 5th button 195 of order.Optionally, some embodiments may include will tense footwear until reach reservation threshold (for example, Threshold pressure, winding distance, etc.) " completely tense " order.

In some embodiments, shoes, article or other projects may include more than one motor-driven compressing apparatus 160. In such embodiment, each motor-driven compressing apparatus 160 may include for independently being communicated with remote equipment 170 Wireless communication hardware or single wireless communication equipment can provide common purposes by multiple motor-driven compressing apparatus 160.For Such embodiment, remote equipment 170 for example can be configured to provide other button or other by application program 180 Control piece is individually to adjust multiple motor-driven compressing apparatus 160 on single item.For example, showing the button 191 in Figure 32 The top area interacted respectively responsive to user and lower area can be subdivided into.By using these regions, two motor-driven One in compressing apparatus 160 can be selected for carrying out tension adjustment by button 193,194 and 195.At another In example, if the other button of button 193 and 194 can simultaneously be shown by application program 180, to allow to multiple motor-driven Compressing apparatus 160 more rapidly adjust.

Application program 180 can also include for store and using preferred tension setting value device.For example, the 6th presses Button 196 and the 7th button 197 can be respectively used to start " storage current tensile " order and " tension for returning to storage " order. In some cases, tension value can be stored on a remote device, and in other examples, and tension value can be stored in machine In the built-in storage of the control panel of dynamic tension equipment 160.Other embodiments also may include for storing multiple tension The device of setting value.For example, user may prefer to the tighter adaptability for performing physical exercises and be used for stress-relieving activity More loose adaptability.In such an example, remote equipment 170 can allow user's storage to correspond at least two different Two or more tension setting values of shoestring tension preference.In some embodiments, the 6th button 196 can cause to be used for Individually, the tension setting value of the motor-driven tension equipment 160 of current selected is stored, and in some embodiments, the 6th button 196 can cause the tension setting value for multiple motor-driven compressing apparatus 160 to be stored in individual part.The technology of this field Personnel should be understood that storage or call the tension for multiple motor-driven compressing apparatus 160, and a part for either single project is still Such as multiple projects of a pair of of shoes, it can be by the single command that is sent out by remote equipment 170, or pass through a series of control commands (such as by sending out individual control command to each motor-driven compressing apparatus 160) is performed.

In some embodiments, application program 180 and/or remote equipment 170 can be configured to from remote equipment 170 Individual project or the individual project of for example a pair of of shoes are selectively controlled in multiple projects or project team in communication range Group.For example, application program 180 can be configured to by distributing to the unique identifier listed items of each project, to user It shows the project enumerated, and receives the input of options purpose.In another example, application program 180 can pass throughIt is matched with specific project or project team.In another example, do not have the remote equipment of LCD display May include control button, repeatedly, if it is desired, the control button can be pressed to select desired project, and this Mesh may include LED, and when the project is carried out wireless communication with remote equipment, which is illuminated.

Embodiment is not limited to specific user interface or the application journey for remotely operating motor-driven tension equipment 160 Sequence.Here embodiment is intended to be exemplary, and other embodiments can be incorporated to any other control button, boundary Face is designed and software application.As an example, some embodiments can not include to be controlled for selecting The device of shoes, and on the contrary, two groups of control buttons can be utilized, wherein every group corresponds to left shoes or right shoes.For starting various behaviour The control button for making to order can be selected depending on various factors, which includes：Aesthetics easy to use, designer is partially Good, Software for Design cost, the operating characteristic of motor-driven tension equipment 160 and possible other factors.

Through detailed description and in the claims, the various operation modes of clamping system or configuration are described.These behaviour Operation mode can refer to the state of clamping system itself, and refer to the operation mould of the component of individual subsystem and/or clamping system Formula.Exemplary patterns include " increment tension pattern ", " increment release pattern " and " being totally released " pattern.Latter two modes are also " increment release mode " and " complete release mode " can be referred to.In increment tension pattern, motor-driven compressing apparatus 160 can be to increase The mode that amount ground (or step by step) tensed or increased the tension of shoestring 152 operates.In increment release pattern, motor-driven compressing apparatus 160 can be unclamped by incrementally (or step by step) or release shoestring 152 in tension in a manner of operate.As discussed further below , increment tenses pattern and increment is unclamped pattern and shoestring can be tensed and unclamped with discontinuous step or continuously.It is releasing completely In mode playback, motor-driven compressing apparatus 160 can make the tension for being applied to shoestring by the system is substantially decreased to user can It is operated in a manner of easily removing the level of his or her foot from article.This is differed with increment release mode, is being increased It measures in release mode, which, but need not be to realize the lower tension for shoestring relative to current tensile Shoestring removes completely tension.Moreover, although release mode completely can be used for quick release shoestring tension, so user can be with Article is removed, but when user seeks desired amount of tension, which can be used to carry out shoestring tension micro- It adjusts.Although embodiment describes three possible operation modes (and relevant control command), other operation modes It is possible.For example, some embodiments can be incorporated to complete retightening operation pattern, it is motor-driven in complete retightening operation pattern Compressing apparatus 160 continuously tenses shoestring 152 until having been carried out scheduled tension.

Figure 33 to 37 shows the article 100 for being tightened up and unclamping during the different operation modes of clamping system 150 Embodiment schematic diagram.The schematic diagram of remote equipment 170 is also shown in each figure comprising for starting each operation mode Specific control button.

Figure 33 shows that article 100 is in full open position before the entrance of just foot 200.In this state, shoestring 152 can relax enough to allow user that his or her foot is inserted into opening 130.With reference next to Figure 34, foot 200 are inserted into the article 100 for being maintained at full open position.With reference next to Figure 35, increment tenses order and passes through pressing The third button 193 of remote equipment 170 has been sent to motor-driven tension equipment 160.The order leads to motor-driven tension equipment 160 Pattern is tensed into increment.In this regard, the tension of shoestring 152 increases tenses vamp 102 to surround foot 200.Particularly, shoes Band 152 is dragged in motor-driven tension equipment 160, pulls the part for being placed in the shoestring 152 for neighbouring throat's opening 132, and Therefore limitation throat opening 132.In some instances, increment tension can be happened in discontinuous step so that be worn When person presses third button 193 every time, shoestring 152 is tightened scheduled amount (for example, by rotating in motor-driven tension equipment 160 Spool pass through scheduled angle).In other examples, as long as wearer continuously contacts with third button 193, which tenses It can occur in a serial fashion.In some instances, the speed of tension can be set so that the system does not have to the preferred water of overshoot Flat tightness (that is, the system will not too quickly moved not tight enough between tension), at the same the speed that tenses it is also sufficiently large with It avoided tensing article 100 completely for a long time.

Figure 36 and Figure 37 shows the schematic diagram for two different operation modes that wherein shoestring 152 can unclamp.Join first Figure 36 is examined, wearer can press the 4th button 194 to start the increment release command in clamping system 150.When the reception increasing When measuring release command, motor-driven tension equipment 160 can operate in increment release pattern, in increment release pattern, shoestring 152 It is released (that is, the segment of shoestring 152 is left from motor-driven tension equipment 160) from motor-driven tension equipment 160.This loosens shoestring 152 In some tension, and allow throat to be open and 132 partly expand.In some instances, increment release can be happened at not In continuous step so that when wearer presses four buttons 194 every time, vamp 152 is released scheduled amount (for example, passing through The spool rotated in motor-driven tension equipment 160 passes through scheduled angle).In other examples, as long as wearer continuously contacts with 4th button 194, increment release can occur in a serial fashion.In some instances, the speed of release can be set, and make The system do not have to overshoot preferred levels tightness (that is, the system will not it is in tension and not enough tight between move too quickly), together When the speed that tenses it is also sufficiently large to avoid being totally released article 100 after for a long time.By the arrangement, wearer can continue The tension (tense pattern using increment and increment unclamps pattern) of shoestring 152 is increased and decreased until reaching the preferred of vamp 102 Horizontal tightness.

With reference next to Figure 37, wearer can press the 5th button 195 to start the opening in clamping system 150, or It is totally released order.It is differed with increment release command, owning in Rapid reversal shoestring 152 can be used for by opening order (or most of) tension so that user can quickly remove article 100.Therefore, when receiving opening order, motor-driven tension equipment 160 operate in being totally released pattern.In this mode, motor-driven tension equipment operation is to release enough shoestrings 152 so that base All tension is removed from shoestring 152 in sheet.In some instances, this can be by continuously monitoring in shoestring 152 Power (for example, using sensor) is realized, and releases shoestring 152 until the level of tension is less than threshold values tension.In other examples In son, this can be realized by releasing the shoestring 152 of predetermined length, it is known that the length is approximately corresponding to realize clamping system 150 amount being totally released needed for state.As seen in Figure 37, clamping system 150 is in the open state, and foot 200 can be easy Ground and cosily from footwear 100 remove.

In different implementation scenarios, the motor-driven control for tightening equipment can be realized using various methods and apparatus.Now With reference to figure 38, it includes the various remote equipments for controlling bracelet 390 based on RF that some embodiments, which can utilize,.Control One or more buttons for sending order can be incorporated to motor-driven tension equipment by bracelet 390.In some instances, it controls Bracelet 390 processed may include the button that order and increment release command are tensed for starting increment.In the other examples also having, May include for starts include open order (or being totally released order), storage tension order and return store tension order The other button of any other order enabled.Other examples also can be incorporated to for sending out any other kind of orders Any other button.

In some of the other embodiments, the button for tensing, unclamping and/or executing other functions can be located immediately at On article.As an example, some embodiments can be incorporated on the shell of motor-driven tension equipment or neighbouring motor-driven tensioning is set One or more buttons of standby shell.In the other embodiments also having, motor-driven tension equipment can be ordered using sound Enable control.These orders can be transmitted by remote equipment, or be transmitted to the equipment that can receive voice command, which is incorporated to It is communicated in article and with motor-driven tension equipment.

Embodiment can be incorporated to the various sensors for providing information to the control unit of motor-driven clamping system.As above Face description, in some embodiments, H bridge mechanisms be used to measure electric current.The electric current of the measurement is provided to as input Control unit 302 (see Fig. 5).In some instances, scheduled electric current known can correspond to some shoestring tension.Pass through inspection The electric current of measurement and scheduled electric current, motor-driven clamping system can adjust the tension of shoestring until scheduled electric current is measured, this Indicate that desired shoestring tension has been carried out.

By regarding electric current as feedback, various digital control strategies can be used.For example, may only use ratio control System.Selectively, PI controls or PID completely can be used.In some instances, simply average or including fuzzy logic with Other filtering techniques of band logical can be used to reduce noise.

Other embodiments also may include the sensor of other type.In some instances, pressure sensor It can be used to indicate when user stands below the inner sole of article.When user is moved to seated position from standing place, Motor-driven clamping system can be programmed to automatically unclamp the tension of shoestring.It is such configuration can be to the elderly it is useful, When sitting down, the elderly needs low tension to promote blood circulation, but when standing, and the elderly is for high of security needs Power.

Other embodiments also may include other tension sensing element.In one embodiment, 3 points it is curved Bent indicator can be used in shoestring more accurately to monitor the state of the clamping system including shoestring.In other embodiment party In case, such as inductively or capacitively the various equipment of the measurement deflection of equipment can be used.In some of the other embodiments, answer Becoming the tension sense that meter can be used in one or more components of measurement clamping system should strain.

In some embodiments, such as the sensor of gyroscope or accelerometer can be incorporated into tension system. In some embodiments, accelerometer and/or gyroscope, which can be used to detect, is used as adjusting the anti-of shoestring tension The instantaneous torque and/or location information of feedback.These sensors can also realize the period of control sleep-awake to extend battery Service life.In some instances, for example, the information from these sensors can be used for when user is in inactive state, Tension in reduction system, and when user is in the activity periods of bigger, increase tension.

Some embodiments can be using memory (for example, with the relevant onboard storage device of control unit) to store one section The data of sensing in time.The data can be stored for later upload and analysis.For example, a reality of article of footwear The scheme of applying can sense and store the tension information in a period of time, which can be evaluated later to observe becoming for tension Gesture.

It is also contemplated that some embodiments can be incorporated to pressure sensor to detect the high pressure that can develop in cinching process Region.In some instances, the tension of shoestring can automatically reduce to avoid such high-pressure area.Additionally, at some In example, system can prompt user to change their these high-pressure areas and suggest avoiding the mode of these high-pressure areas (logical Cross the use for changing article or adaptability).

It is expected that in some embodiments, user can be provided feedback by motor pulse, motor pulse is produced to user The touch feedback of raw vibration/sound form.Such device can directly facilitate the operation of clamping system, or offer is used for and machine The touch feedback for other systems that dynamic tension equipment is communicated.

The various methods for automatically operating motor-driven tension equipment in response to various inputs can be used.For example, initial Ground is tensioned after shoes, and shoestring tension rapid decrease in initial several minutes used is common.Some implementations of clamping system Scheme may include the device for shoestring tension to be adjusted to initial tension setting value again by user.In some embodiments In, control unit can be configured to monitor the tension in those initial several minutes with then to readjust tension original to match Tension.

Figure 39 is for automatically readjusting shoestring tension to keep showing for the desired tension of user whithin a period of time The schematic diagram of example property process.In some embodiments, some in below step can by with 160 phase of motor-driven tension equipment The control unit 302 of pass is implemented (see Fig. 5).In other embodiments, some in below step can pass through tensioning Other components of system are implemented.It should be understood that in other embodiments, one or more in below step can be Optional.

In step 502, control unit 302 can determine whether user has completed to tense article.In some instances, If being not received by control command (for example, increment tense order) after scheduled one end time, control unit 302 can be with Determine that user has completed to tense shoestring.If control unit 302 determines that user has completed to tense article, control unit 302 Carry out step 504.Otherwise, control unit 302 can be waited for until it has determined that user has completed to tense article.

In step 504, control unit 302 can monitor clamping system tension (for example, tension of shoestring) continue it is pre- Fixed time interval is to determine initial tension.Method for monitoring tension (including current sensor and other sensors) is previous As already discussed above.In some instances, control unit 302 can set average measurement tension interior in predetermined time interval It is set to initial tension.

Next, in step 506, control unit 302 can determine whether the tension of clamping system is reduced.If Do not reduce, control unit 302 can wait for and whether then reappraise the tension reduced.Once it has determined this Tension is reduced, and control unit 302 can carry out step 508.In step 508, control unit 302 can automatically increase The tension of clamping system has been implemented until the initial tension.In some embodiments, after step 508, control unit It can wait for and the automatically tension at appraisal procedure 506 again.In some embodiments, in addition control unit 302 can be Ground is configured to automatically detect excessive tension, and automatically respond to reduce clamping system tension, until the initial tension Through being implemented.In some embodiments, control unit 302 can be configured to execute the circulation change of tension, such as with enhancing Blood circulation.

In some embodiments, it is not to just wait for determining one end time, as shown in figure 39 and as described above, Reappraising for step 506 can be triggered by sensor information.In one example, sensor-based triggering can substitute It waits for, and sensor information leads to that reappraising for tension occurs.In another example, waiting can be held as shown in figure 39 Row, but sensor information may cause the waiting to terminate and trigger reappraising for tension.It is provided to control unit 302 such The sensor of information can include but is not limited to：With detection standing and/or the pressure sensing of movement rate in the inner sole of shoes Device, bending indicator, strain gauge, gyroscope and accelerometer.In some embodiments, instead of keeping initial tension or removing Except holding initial tension, which can be used to set up new goal tension.For example, pressure sensor can be with It is used to measure the contact of the vamp of the article of footwear against the foot of wearer, and automatically regulate desired to realize Pressure.In some embodiments, the sensor information that control unit 302 can be configured to obtain in storage a period of time is to know Other trigger event.Additionally, control unit 302 can be configured to upload to remote equipment or otherwise provide the biography of storage Sensor information.In order to include but not limited to purpose below：The correlation between the tightness and movenent performance of footwear is monitored, is uploaded Sensor information can be examined and analyze.

Some embodiments can be configured to two or more different pattern operations.For example, some embodiment party Case can be operated with " general mode " and " game mode " (or similarly, " motor pattern " or " activity pattern ").In common mould In formula, in order to save battery life, electric notor can close after tensioning.On the contrary, when game mode is selected by user, even if with Battery life is cost, and the tension of system, which continuously can be monitored and be adjusted, is used for maximum performance.It can be by using family Change between the two patterns, user can select optimization battery life or optimization performance according to the needs of situation.In some realities It applies in scheme, multiple goal tensions can be stored and be back to any of " general mode " or " game mode ", such as Construction goal tension is for moving and constructing substantially different tension for lying fallow.In some embodiments, control unit 302 can be configured to continually but discontinuously monitor and adjust tension, further to extend battery life while realize continuous Monitor some in the benefit of " game mode ".

Figure 40 is the schematic diagram of the example process for operating clamping system with two different patterns.In some implementations In scheme, in below step some can by with 160 relevant control unit 302 (see Fig. 5) of motor-driven tension equipment by reality It is existing.In other embodiments, some in below step can be implemented by other components of clamping system.Ying Li Solution, in other embodiments, one or more in below step can be optional.

In step 510, control unit 302 can receive the pattern that user selectes.This can be by receiving from long-range The signal of equipment is determined, which can prompt user to select " general mode " or " game mode ".Next, in step In 512, control unit 302 can determine whether user has completed to tense article.If not provided, control unit 302 waits for directly It has completed to tense article to user.When user has completed to tense article, control unit 302 carries out step 514.In step 514, the information that control unit 302 receives during the step 510 determines which kind of pattern has been selected.If user is Selected general mode, control unit carry out step 516, and in step 516, motor is closed, and system wait for from user (or its Its system/sensor) it is further instruction to save the energy content of battery.However, if user's selected trip in the step 514 Play pattern, control unit 302 carry out step 518.During step 518, control unit 302 can initiatively monitor article Tension and the tension can be automatically regulated to realize maximum performance.

As another example of the automatically process of control clamping system, the GPS feedbacks from remote equipment can be by For determining runner whether in flat ground, climbing or decline.The system can be with for example, by automatic during decline Ground increases the tension that the tension in shoestring automatically regulates the shoestring in footwear.

In some embodiments, digitally tracking can by the method for the tensioning data of one or more sensor measurements To be used.The mean tension of the equipment can also be tracked.The tension data can be used to measure such as motor activity mistake The performance parameter of load in journey on foot.In some embodiments, such tension monitoring can be used to measure expansion. In addition, in some instances, the number that footwear are put on and taken off can be tracked.In addition, usage time can also be tracked. Data collection can be promoted by the various technologies including USB device, data line and Bluetooth Communication Technology.Moreover, collecting Data arbitrary central database can be transferred to by various technologies for assessing.

Although being described above and showing that the illustrative methods in Figure 39 and Figure 40 are related to footwear, it should be appreciated that similar Method can be used to include that the articles of other types of clamping system is automatically brought into operation.Particularly, these methods can with appoint The clothes of what type are used together.

Figure 41 shows the schematic diagram of the selectable embodiment of motor-driven tension equipment 900.In order to describe some inside portions The purpose of part, Figure 43 show the viewgraph of cross-section of some components of motor-driven tension equipment 900.Motor-driven tension equipment 900 can wrap Some devices similar with the embodiment of front are included, for example, motor 902 and the gear reduction system driven by motor 902 904.Gear reduction system 904 shown here includes 5 grades of spur gears.The other The gear decelerations that can be used include：Cycloid , harmonic wave and planet.In some embodiments, motor 902 is combined with gear reduction system 904 and can be sized For the compromise for maximizing between current requirements, size, torque and speed.In the shown embodiment, The gear deceleration is about 600：1, output RPM is 30, and peak point current is 1.2 amperes.

The output of gear reduction system 904, which can enter, shows the releasable load holding mechanism of increment in Figure 42 906. The load holding mechanism 906 includes the mechanism of ratchet-type, helps to maintain any load for being applied to spool 908, without Potentially back drive motor 902 and/or gear reduction system 904.Purpose is to maintain the load and does not depend on motor/gear Case, so as not to meeting reverse drive.Load can be maintained on spool 908 by load holding mechanism 906, or even motor 902 simultaneously It is powered off.When a small amount of shoestring tension expectations is released, motor 902 is unwound and sweeper element cleans pawl element 910 Internal tooth 912 is to allow output one tooth of unwinding.This can be repeated to accurately unwind spool and correspondingly loosen as needed Shoestring tension.Allow user to obtain accurate adaptability to be important.The exemplary load holding mechanism that can be used discloses It is that the U.S. of disclosure on June 10th, 2010 and the Soderberg of entitled " Reel Based Lacing System " et al. are special In sharp application publication number 2010/0139057, the complete disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference.

With reference to figure 41 and Figure 43, the output of the load holding mechanism 906 in the embodiment is just square driver 914.The driver element can be any amount of side or can be external tooth socket.The just square driver with foot Enough gaps and the matching of female element 916 with the material for being slided along axis 912 (see Figure 43) low friction.916 quilt of female element Just square driver 914 drives.The opposite end of female element 916 includes face driving element 920.In the embodiment shown In, this is can to match indented joint or a large amount of lance tooth of disengaging on a flange of spool 908.These teeth can be with From as little as one to more than eight.In order to promote to engage, which can be 5 degree to 60 degree by backslash.In some embodiments, should Tooth can be at about 45 degree of angles.

The center of female element 916 has the screw thread (not shown) for the threaded portion that can engage axis 912.When motor 902 exists When one side is driven up, element 916 is axially moved due to internal thread and is bonded on element 916 itself and spool 908 Face tooth between upper corresponding tooth.Typically static axis 912 has friction element 922 to prevent axial advancement and engaging process In rotation.When completing engagement and face tooth is fully engaged, the external screw thread of axis 912 will undergo torque.Beyond some torque water It is flat, motor 902 and gear reduction system 904 will overcome torsional friction element 922 and axis 912 will rotate.In the embodiment party shown In case, friction element 922 is the O rings on axis 912, which is received in the shell.The O ring compressions can be by that can clamp Screw on the O rings is adjusted.In other embodiments, which can be implemented by multiple devices.For example, In another embodiment, torsional friction can be completed, when the Coulomb friction equipment of for example adjustable nodal section clutch, such as The use of steel or brass to nylon or other brake pad materials and is adjustable by axle spring stretcher.Implement in others In scheme, torsional friction can also hydraulically be completed by particle clutch electric power or by rotary damper.In some realities It applies in scheme, if it is desired, reaching the number of turns of disengaging can be coordinated, and the number of turns from tension is tightened to no-station pole canopy completely.Pass through this Kind mode, increment release can be completed from anywhere in the range of the shoestring of tensioning.

In the shown embodiment, rapid relaxation winding can be by the perseverance that is stored on the spool rotated freely 930 Power spring (not shown) is completed and unwinds to an end 930 of spool 908.

In some embodiments, shoestring may exit off and the fillet eyelet that tends in shell is to prevent shoestring from wearing And increase shoestring fatigue life.In some embodiments, these outlets can be located remotely from the reel diameter of spool at least To help shoestring to be more or less flatly wound on spool to maximize its ability at 1/2.

In some embodiments, the manual releasing element that user starts also provides user should find that they are in certainly every time Without remaining battery life in the shoes of tension.Many methods can be used for from load holding mechanism and motor/gear Draw box mechanism manually detaches spool.For example, tapered blade (not shown) can be inserted into tooth and element 916 on spool 908 Between with by detaching direction allow spool 908 move axially spring element detach them.

Figure 44 and Figure 45 shows the signal of the optional tensioning and relieving mechanism that can be used together with motor-driven clamping system Figure.For the purpose of reference, which is shown in the form of being isolated from other components of compressing apparatus.The mechanism can by with In realization tensioning, load are kept, increment discharges and are discharged completely.

In this design, camming and latch are used.With reference to figure 44 and Figure 45, load holding mechanism 938 includes The final stage output gear 940 of gear reduction system (not shown), gear 940 are connected to the single driving close to its center The cylindrical plate 942 of pawl 944.On the direction of tension, motor is driven successively, as described above and pawl 944 is by being attached to the output of spool Pawl driving in ring 946.The output ring 946 has the internal pawl 948 that plate 942 drives and engagement external load holding claws 954 external female tooth 950.When the motor is shut down, which resists spool torque.It can be seen that plate 942 Not only with internal drive pawl 944 but also with plate 942 it is outer it is placing, be periodically detached from the external load holding claws 954 cam member 945.When stopping and keeping load, which is engaged.Then, cylindrical plate 942 starts to prop up Support is discharged for increment.First, output does not discharge.Then, an outer side load of release in the cam member 945 on plate 942 Holding claws 954.When it happens, output ring 946 catches pawl 954 and next load holding claws 954 engages, and the mechanism stops In increment load holding position.Increment release is realized in this way.For this operation, limit switch be used to monitor It plate 942 and stops in each increment releasing position.In the shown embodiment, there are six stop positions or 60 degree every Rotation.This quantity can be based on space requirement and the release revolution variation of desired increment shoestring.For example, can each revolution it is few To 1 stop and can be with up to 12.

For discharging completely, mechanism 938 must stop so that both internal pawl and external pawl discharge simultaneously.Need one with On release piece 960 complete the process.There are three positions for the tool of pawl 960 in the figure.It is fully retracted, actuator stretches out, and release is convex Wheel extends.After tensioning, pawl 960 is fully retracted.When increment release is activated, internal pawl 944 would be possible through outside this Pawl 960 and by the outside pawl 960 setting to fully released position.So when complete release is required, internal pawl 944 will move Into a position, in this position, both internal pawl and external pawl are elevated and user can freely extract shoestring out and take off Lower article, while the minimum drag provided by relaxation derivation mechanism (slack take up mechanism) being only provided.

Figure 46, which is shown, to be included vamp 3155 and is fixed to the article of footwear 3010 of the footwear sole construction 3150 of vamp 3155 and shows Example property embodiment.In some embodiments, footwear sole construction 3150 may include midsole 3151 and inner sole 3054.Such as Shown in arrow 3055, inner sole 3054 can be removably inserted into footwear 3010.

The motor-driven clamping system 3020 that can be removably attachable to footwear 3010 is also shown in Figure 46.Footwear 3010 and tensioning System 3020 can have and footwear discussed above and the same or similar attribute of clamping system.For example, clamping system can be with Including other element parts in tension equipment, power supply and shell 3025, which can be by removedly attached It is connected to vamp 3155, for example, being attached in the heel portion of footwear 3010.

In addition, footwear 3010 may include the various other components being placed in footwear sole construction 3150.For example, in some realities It applies in scheme, footwear 3010 may include the buffer element 3080 in the heel portion of footwear sole construction 3150.Buffer element 3080 can be incorporated into midsole 3151.In some embodiments, buffer element 3080 may include accommodating pressurized stream The room of body.In some embodiments, buffer element 3080 may include foam padded coaming.

In some embodiments, footwear 3010 may include removable in the heel portion of footwear sole construction 3150 Electronic equipment 3065.As arrow 3070 indicates, electronic equipment 3065 can be removably inserted to inner sole 3054 Midsole 3151 in recess portion 3060 in.Electronic equipment 3065 may include being configured to collect the data acquisition of performance data Component 3075.In some embodiments, footwear 3010 may include both buffer element 3080 and electronic equipment 3065.Example Such as, as shown in figure 46, buffer element 3080 can be located in the heel area of midsole 3151, and electronic equipment 3060 can be with In the shoes central region of midsole 3151.

Since the shoes front area of midsole 3151 can have relatively minimal height, buffer element 3080 and electronics Position of the packaging 3060 in midsole 3151 can be that the other component in footwear sole construction 3150 leaves smaller space. Therefore, the attachment of the shell 3025 of clamping system 3020 to the external heel portion of vamp 3155 can make it possible for wrapping Include the motor-driven tension being incorporated to in the footwear of the element part in midsole 3151.

In some embodiments, which can be incorporated in the different arrangements of component.For example, such as Figure 47 institutes Show, motor-driven clamping system 4125 can be attached removedly to article of footwear 4010.The component of clamping system 4125 and operation Other clamping systems discussed above can be similar to.For example, clamping system 4125 may include removedly attaching to shoes The shell 4126 of the heel portion of class 4010.In addition, shell 4126 can accommodate motor-driven compressing apparatus 4200, power supply 4205 and Control unit 4210.However, in some embodiments, as shown in figure 47, when clamping system 4125 is installed in footwear 4010 When upper, compressing apparatus 4200 can be placed on the medial surface or lateral surface of footwear 4010.In addition, in some embodiments, such as Shown in Figure 47, when clamping system 4125 is installed on footwear 4125, power supply 4205 can be placed in the heel of footwear 4010 In partial decline.It in some instances, should for example, when compressing apparatus 4200 has the profile lower than power supply 4205 Arrangement can be advantageous.Desirably the minimum widith of clamping system 4125 is kept, and therefore, the battery of large-size is held It may be preferred for being contained in the decline of heel portion.

The arrangement, which can also be operated advantageously, selectable tightens arrangement.For example, as shown in figure 48, in some embodiments In, article of footwear 5010 may include being located at the medial surface of footwear 5010 or tightening region 5175 on lateral surface.Such beam Tight arrangement can provide improved adaptability, and can be bonded the various portions tensed without excessive pressure to be placed in foot Divide on such as instep area.It is located remotely from instep area in addition, alloing to tighten region 5175 and can make the opposite of footwear 5010 Smooth surface is presented in instep area.The smooth surface may be desired for Association football, to improve the essence played football The influence spent and prevent heterogeneous material to foot.

Motor-driven clamping system 5125 can removedly be attached to footwear 5010, and may include being similar to beg for above The component of the clamping system of opinion.For example, clamping system 5125 may include motor-driven compressing apparatus, power supply and be contained in shell Control unit in 5126.Clamping system 5125 can also include tensile member.The tensile member may include and for example connect The attachable multiple portions of manual connector of device 5035.For example, tensile member may include and shell 5126 relevant first Tensile member portion 5130.It is stretched in addition, the tensile member may include can be tightened by tightening region 5175 second Component part 5135 and third tensile member portion 5136.Since the both ends of the first tensile member portion 5130 can be in footwear On 5010 same side enter shell 5126, so make compressing apparatus be located at footwear 5010 near the first tensile member portion May be desired on the side of 5130 entry position.

The motor-driven clamping system of heel installation can make it possible for others and tighten configuration.For example, since heel is pacified Shoestring tension in the clamping system of dress is applied in from heel area, and since tensioning is automatic, is tightened region and be not required to It is exposed.Therefore, it is possible to use hidden lacing system.For example, in some embodiments, lacing system is designed, wherein It tightens below the footwear sole construction mesopodium portion that region is shoes.

Figure 49 shows article of footwear 6010.Footwear 6010 may include footwear sole construction 6150 and be fixed to footwear sole construction 6150 Vamp 6155.In addition, Figure 49 shows motor-driven clamping system 6125.Clamping system 6125 can be attached removedly to footwear 6010, and may include the component similar to clamping system discussed above.For example, clamping system 6125 may include motor-driven drawing Clamping apparatus, power supply and the control unit being contained in shell 6126.Clamping system 6125 can also include tensile member.The drawing Stretching component may include and the attachable multiple portions of manual connector.For example, tensile member may include and 6126 phase of shell The first tensile member portion 6130 closed.In addition, tensile member may include can tighten to tighten in region 6175 second Tensile member portion 6136.Second tensile member portion 6136 can be removably attachable to by manual connector 6140 One tensile member portion 6130.Therefore, because removable property of the shell 6126 from vamp 6155 and manual coupler 6140, shell 6126 can be replaced with its content and the first tensile member.

As shown in figure 49, tightening region 6175 can be built, for example, being built in the sufficient bed 6005 of footwear sole construction 6150 In.Second tensile member portion 6136 can neighbouring sufficient bed 6005 the first peripheral edge 6025 and the second peripheral edge 6030 into Enter footwear sole construction 6150.In addition, the second tensile member portion 6136 can be placed in the slot 6020 in sufficient bed 6005.Second draws Stretching component part 6136 can be in the first peripheral edge 6025 and the second peripheral edge 6030 for being positioned adjacent to sufficient bed 6005 Extend between anchor member.For example, the first anchor member 6011, the second anchor member 6012 and third anchor member 6013 can To be positioned adjacent to the first peripheral edge 6025.In addition, the 4th anchor member 6014, the 5th anchor member 6015 and third anchor The second peripheral edge 6030 can be positioned adjacent to by determining component 6016.These anchor members can be fixed to vamp 6155.When When tension is applied to the tensile member by clamping system 6125, the second tensile member portion 6136, which can drag anchor member, is It is closer to each other, therefore tense vamp 6155 around foot.The other details of exemplary foot bed lacing system be provided in On March 5th, 2013 authorizes and entitled " Cable Tightening System for an Article of Footwear " The U.S. Patent number 8 of Baker et al., 387,282, the complete disclosure of the patent is incorporated herein by reference.

Although the multiple embodiments of the present invention have been described, which is intended to illustratively, rather than limits Property, and those of ordinary skill in the art will be apparent that, more embodiments within the scope of embodiment and Realization is possible.Therefore, embodiment is not restricted, in addition in view of the attached claims and its equivalent.This Outside, various modifications and changes may be made in the range of appended claims.

Claims

1. a kind of clamping system for article of footwear, including：

Mandrel member, is configured around central axis rotation, and the mandrel member includes axis and arranged extremely along the axis A few flange；

Wherein, at least one flange includes the hole for extending through the flange；

Wherein, the hole is configured to receive shoestring；And

Wherein, the mandrel member is configured to by the way that the shoestring is arranged at least one flange around the axis Both sides on part wind and tense the clamping system.

2. clamping system according to claim 1, wherein the mandrel member is around the central axis in the first rotation Side rotates up, to wind the shoestring to tense the clamping system.

3. clamping system according to claim 2, wherein the mandrel member is around the central axis with described the One direction of rotation rotates on the second opposite direction of rotation, to unwind the shoestring to unclamp the clamping system.

4. clamping system according to claim 3, wherein in first direction of rotation and second direction of rotation At least one direction on rotation executed using motor associated with the clamping system.

5. clamping system according to claim 3, wherein when the clamping system is in releasing orientation, described Rotation on two direction of rotation is executed by applying tension to the shoestring.

6. clamping system according to claim 1, wherein the flange radially extends outwardly from the axis；And

Wherein, the hole is separated with the between centers.

7. clamping system according to claim 1, wherein the hole is positioned adjacent to the periphery edge of the flange.

8. a kind of clamping system for article of footwear, including：

Motor；

Mandrel member is connected to the motor, and the mandrel member includes axis and arranged along the axis at least three convex Edge；With

Shoestring a, wherein part for the shoestring extends through the hole in center flange, so that the shoestring and the reel structure Part interconnects；And

Wherein, the shoestring be configured to when the clamping system is in tension around the axis be arranged in it is described in Part winding on the opposite side of cardiac prominence edge.

9. clamping system according to claim 8, wherein described when the clamping system is in the tension The equivalent of shoestring is partially disposed on the opposite side of the flange.

10. clamping system according to claim 8, wherein when the clamping system is placed in institute from the tension When stating releasing orientation, the part of the equivalent of the shoestring is unwound from the opposite side of the flange.

11. clamping system according to claim 8, wherein the hole surrounds the peripheral chamfer in the hole.

12. clamping system according to claim 8, wherein the shoestring is configured to slide through the hole, to adjust Tension in the different piece of the clamping system.

13. clamping system according to claim 12, wherein the clamping system is in the shoes middle region of article of footwear and shoes Tension at least one of forward region is by changing the first part associated with the shoes middle region of the shoestring The amount of associated with shoes forward region second part measured and change the shoestring is adjusted.

14. clamping system according to claim 8, wherein at least three flange includes first end flange, described Center flange and the second end flange；And

Wherein, the center flange is located between the first end flange and the second end flange on the axis.

15. clamping system according to claim 14, wherein when the clamping system is in the tension, shoes The first part of band is wrapped on the first axle segment being arranged between the first end flange and the center flange；And And

Wherein, when the clamping system is in the tension, the second part of shoestring, which is wrapped in, is arranged in described In the second joint section between two end flanges and the center flange.

16. a kind of mandrel member of clamping system for article of footwear, the mandrel member include：

Axis；With

At least one flange, at least one flange radially extend outwardly from the axis；

Wherein, at least one flange includes the hole for extending through the flange.

17. mandrel member according to claim 16 further includes at least three flanges；And

Wherein, center flange includes the hole.

18. mandrel member according to claim 16 further includes being arranged in phase along the central axis of the mandrel member To end first end and the second end；And

Wherein, the mandrel member includes the screw being arranged at the second end.

19. mandrel member according to claim 18, wherein the screw is configured to receive the motor with clamping system The gear of connection, so that the mandrel member is rotated around the central axis.

20. mandrel member according to claim 18, wherein the mandrel member is configured to receive across the hole Shoestring；And

Wherein, the mandrel member is configured to around the rotation of the central axis in the first rotational direction by the shoestring Be partially around on the opposite side of at least one flange.