Foot support systems including fluid movement controllers and adjustable foot support pressure
Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). Aspects of this technology may relate to one or more of: (a) footwear structures in which such systems are incorporated; (b) valve stem based fluid flow transfer systems; (c) solenoid based fluid flow transfer systems; (d) user input button features; (e) air filter features; (f) fluid tube to fluid distributor connection features; (g) fluid distributor to footwear connection features; (h) valve position sensor features; (i) valve transmission features; (j) pressure control algorithm features; (k) electronic communication features; (l) system sealing features; and/or (m) pressure sensor mounting features.
1 . A fluid transfer system for an article of footwear, comprising:
a motor;
a valve housing defining an interior chamber;
a valve stem extending at least partially through the interior chamber, the valve stem having: (i) a first end operatively coupled with the motor to move the valve stem with respect to the valve housing, (ii) a second end opposite the first end, (iii) a perimeter wall extending from the first end to the second end, and (iv) an interior channel through which fluid flows; and
a position sensor for determining a position of the valve stem.
2 . The fluid transfer system according to claim 1 , wherein the valve stem is rotatably mounted within the valve housing.
3 . The fluid transfer system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a seal block engaged with the perimeter wall of the valve stem, wherein the valve stem includes a plurality of through holes defined through the perimeter wall, and wherein fluid transfers between the seal block and the valve stem through the plurality of through holes.
4 . The fluid transfer system according to claim 1 , wherein the motor is operatively coupled to the valve stem to move the valve stem to a plurality of different positions corresponding to different operational states of the fluid transfer system.
5 . The fluid transfer system according to claim 1 , wherein the perimeter wall of the valve stem partially encloses the interior channel within the valve stem.
6 . The fluid transfer system according to claim 5 , wherein the perimeter wall of the valve stem further includes a plurality of through holes extending from the interior channel to an outer surface of the valve stem.
7 . The fluid transfer system according to claim 6 , wherein the valve stem includes a fluid inlet to the interior channel, and wherein the plurality of through holes form ports through which fluid moves into or out of the interior channel.
8 . The fluid transfer system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a seal block engaged with the perimeter wall of the valve stem, wherein fluid leaving the valve stem passes through the seal block.
9 . The fluid transfer system according to claim 1 , wherein the valve stem is rotatable with respect to the valve housing, and wherein the position sensor senses a rotary position of the valve stem within the valve housing.
10 . The fluid transfer system according to claim 1 , wherein the valve housing, the valve stem, and the position sensor are contained within a common fluid distributor housing.
11 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:
a foot support bladder; and
a fluid transfer system in fluid communication with the foot support bladder for controlling fluid pressure in the foot support bladder, the fluid transfer system including:
(a) a motor,
(b) a valve housing defining an interior chamber,
(c) a valve stem extending at least partially through the interior chamber, the valve stem having: (i) a first end operatively coupled with the motor to move the valve stem with respect to the valve housing, (ii) a second end opposite the first end, (iii) a perimeter wall extending from the first end to the second end, and (iv) an interior channel through which fluid flows, and
(d) a position sensor for determining a position of the valve stem,
wherein placing the valve stem at different positions places the fluid transfer system in different operational states.
12 . The sole structure according to claim 11 , further comprising a fluid container, wherein in a first operational state, fluid moves from the fluid container, through the valve stem, and to the foot support bladder.
13 . The sole structure according to claim 12 , further comprising a pump, wherein in a second operational state, fluid moves from the pump, through the valve stem, and to the fluid container; and wherein in a third operational state, fluid moves from the pump, through the valve stem, and to the foot support bladder.
14 . The sole structure according to claim 11 , wherein the perimeter wall of the valve stem partially encloses the interior channel within the valve stem.
15 . The sole structure according to claim 14 , wherein the perimeter wall of the valve stem further includes a plurality of through holes extending from the interior channel to an outer surface of the valve stem.
16 . The sole structure according to claim 15 , wherein the valve stem includes a fluid inlet to the interior channel, and wherein the plurality of through holes form ports through which fluid moves into or out of the interior channel.
17 . The sole structure according to claim 11 , further comprising: a seal block engaged with the perimeter wall of the valve stem, wherein fluid leaving the valve stem passes through the seal block.
18 . The sole structure according to claim 11 , wherein the valve stem is rotatable with respect to the valve housing, and wherein the position sensor senses a rotary position of the valve stem within the valve housing.
19 . The sole structure according to claim 11 , wherein the valve housing, the valve stem, and the position sensor are contained within a common fluid distributor housing.
20 . The sole structure according to claim 19 , further comprising: a midsole component, wherein the foot support bladder is engaged with the midsole component, and wherein the common fluid distributor housing is engaged with the midsole component.