Abstract
A method was evaluated for measuring the restriction placed on feet by shoes, in terms of dynamic variables, with particular emphasis placed on measuring the sliding frictional force between shoes and feet.
1) We proposed a method for measuring walking-induced frictional force by assessing color changes in a very thin two-layer type pressure-sensitive film inserted into the narrow space between the foot and the shoe.
2) On a trial basis, we made an instrument that provides simulation of the dynamic properties of the sliding friction which occurs between the shoe and the foot during walking. We demonstrated, using this simulator, that Euler's rule of pressure and tension and Coulomb's rule of friction are applicable to the friction occurring between a curved structure (as seen when shoes are worn) and a flexible sheet.
3) The data obtained with this instrument indicate a relationship between the sensor color (Y, x, y in the CIE standard color matrix system) and the compression of the feet by wearing shoes (p) . The pressure which restricts movement of the feet, and the resultant frictional force, could be estimated by making use of this relationship.
