Optimal Design of Magnetorheological Valve Integrated in an Intelligent Footwear for Diabetic Patients with Foot Insensitivity

Magnetorheological fluid is a type of smart material whose viscosity changes quickly when exposed to an external magnetic field. This paper focuses on the optimized design of a miniature magnetorheological valve integrated into a novel smart shoe-sole that can dynamically redistribute plantar pressure on the foot of diabetic patients by leveraging this specific characteristic. The primary design goals are to maximize pressure drop (⩾ 400 kPa) while reducing volume. Analytical equations and finite element analysis are used to calculate the results. To evaluate the trade-off between distinct physical responses, a response surface method-based multiobjective optimization is used. To prepare for future validation, a test bench has been created.