Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine are discussed. In an example, a modular footwear apparatus including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a lacing engine is described. The upper portion can include a lace to adjust fit of the upper portion against a foot, the lace adjustable between a first position and a second position based at least in part on manipulation of an effective length of the lace. The lower portion can include a mid-sole and an out-sole, and the lower portion can be coupled to the upper portion at the mid-sole. The lacing engine can include a top-loading lace spool to engage a loop of the lace to enable manipulation of the effective length of the lace through rotation of the lace spool, the lacing engine received within a cavity in the lower portion.

Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine are discussed. In an example, a modular footwear apparatus including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a lacing engine is described. The upper portion can include a lace to adjust fit of the upper portion against a foot, the lace adjustable between a first position and a second position based at least in part on manipulation of an effective length of the lace. The lower portion can include a mid-sole and an out-sole, and the lower portion can be coupled to the upper portion at the mid-sole. The lacing engine can include a top-loading lace spool to engage a loop of the lace to enable manipulation of the effective length of the lace through rotation of the lace spool, the lacing engine received within a cavity in the lower portion.

A method improves a winding process of a textile machine and a winding station of a textile machine having a machine controller (11), a yarn sensor (4), a yarn quality monitor, in particular a yarn clearer (5), and a yarn connecting device, in particular a splicing device (3). A yarn (1) is wound onto a bobbin (2). The yarn (1) is analyzed with regard to its length, quality, and/or speed, and is cut if necessary in order to clear a quality defect and two yarn ends are connected to one another by means of the yarn connecting device after the quality defect has been removed. The yarn (1) is analyzed with regard to foreign material, yarn speed, and/or yarn length by means of a capacitive yarn sensor (4), and is analyzed with regard to the yarn body and the yarn characteristic by means of an optical yarn quality monitor. The yarn (1) is subsequently optionally cleared. Data of the capacitive yarn sensor (4) with regard to the foreign material and/or the yarn speed is provided to the yarn quality monitor, in particular the yarn clearer (5), and with regard to the yarn length and/or the yarn speed are provided to the machine controller (11).

A method improves a winding process of a textile machine and a winding station of a textile machine having a machine controller (11), a yarn sensor (4), a yarn quality monitor, in particular a yarn clearer (5), and a yarn connecting device, in particular a splicing device (3). A yarn (1) is wound onto a bobbin (2). The yarn (1) is analyzed with regard to its length, quality, and/or speed, and is cut if necessary in order to clear a quality defect and two yarn ends are connected to one another by means of the yarn connecting device after the quality defect has been removed. The yarn (1) is analyzed with regard to foreign material, yarn speed, and/or yarn length by means of a capacitive yarn sensor (4), and is analyzed with regard to the yarn body and the yarn characteristic by means of an optical yarn quality monitor. The yarn (1) is subsequently optionally cleared. Data of the capacitive yarn sensor (4) with regard to the foreign material and/or the yarn speed is provided to the yarn quality monitor, in particular the yarn clearer (5), and with regard to the yarn length and/or the yarn speed are provided to the machine controller (11).

A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a modular spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The modular spool can be disposed in the lacing channel and can comprise a lower plate including a shaft extending from the lower plate, and an upper plate including a drum portion. The upper plate can be releasably connected to the lower plate at a connection interface. The drive mechanism can couple with the modular spool and can be adapted to rotate the modular spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and between the upper and lower plates of the modular spool.

A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprise a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The lacing channel can comprise a spool receptacle located between the first and second inlets, a first relief area located between the spool receptacle and the first inlet, and a second relief area located between the spool receptacle and the second inlet. The first and second relief areas can be linearly tapered between the spool receptacle and the first and second inlets, respectively. The spool can be disposed in the spool receptacle of the lacing channel. The drive mechanism can be coupled with the spool and adapted to rotate the spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and through the spool.

Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine are discussed. In an example, a modular footwear apparatus including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a lacing engine is described. The upper portion can include a lace to adjust fit of the upper portion against a foot, the lace adjustable between a first position and a second position based at least in part on manipulation of an effective length of the lace. The lower portion can include a mid-sole and an out-sole, and the lower portion can be coupled to the upper portion at the mid-sole. The lacing engine can include a top-loading lace spool to engage a loop of the lace to enable manipulation of the effective length of the lace through rotation of the lace spool, the lacing engine received within a cavity in the lower portion.

Assembly methods related to an automated footwear platform including a lacing engine drive apparatus are discussed. In an example, an assembly method can include operations such as inserting a mid-sole plate, attaching a laced upper portion, and inserting a lacing engine. The inserting a mid-sole plate operation can include inserting the mid-sole plate into a mid-sole of the footwear platform. The attaching a laced upper portion operation can include attaching a laced upper portion to the mid-sole and positioning a lace loop in the mid-sole plate. Finally, the inserting a lacing engine operation can include inserting a lacing engine into a cavity in the mid-sole plate, wherein the lacing engine includes a lace spool exposed along a superior surface to receive the lace loop.

A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The tensioning system may be used with various sensors to determine how the motorized tensioning device should be controlled.

A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The tensioning system may be used with various sensors to determine how the motorized tensioning device should be controlled.