Ball Glove Force Attenuation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ball gloves do not adequately attenuate impact forces, leading to discomfort and soreness for athletes when catching balls, particularly in areas like the index finger and middle finger metacarpophalangeal joints.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of fluid-filled chambers within the palmar and dorsal panels of the ball glove, specifically designed as palmar and dorsal force attenuation systems, which are sealed to enclose a fluid and positioned to cushion impacts between the palm and finger voids, using materials like thermoplastic polyurethane and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer to enhance force absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional ball gloves are used, then the glove structure is simple, but the impact force attenuation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates fluid-filled chambers (pneumatic/hydraulic system) into the glove structure. These chambers contain pressurized fluid that compresses during ball impact, providing dynamic force attenuation. This resolves the contradiction by introducing a physics-based mechanism that delivers superior impact protection while maintaining a relatively simple integrated chamber design within the glove panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material construction with multiple layers including thermoplastic polyurethane, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, and other materials combined in specific configurations. This composite structure provides both the mechanical strength needed for glove durability and the force attenuation properties needed for impact protection, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and effective force attenuation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fluid-filled chambers are added to the glove, then force attenuation is improved, but the glove complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the force attenuation chambers with the existing glove panels, making the chambers an integrated part of the glove structure rather than separate add-on components. The chambers are formed within the palmar and dorsal panels themselves, combining the structural and protective functions into a unified design. This integration reduces overall system complexity despite adding force attenuation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The glove panels serve multiple functions: they provide the structural framework of the glove, contain the force attenuation chambers, and directly participate in impact absorption. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving improved force attenuation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple layers of materials are used, then force absorption is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pre-formed chambers and pre-assembled panel structures that are manufactured separately and then integrated into the final glove. This preliminary preparation of components allows for optimized material layering and chamber formation to be done during manufacturing rather than requiring complex post-assembly procedures, thereby enhancing force absorption while managing manufacturing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The force attenuation systems effectively reduce the impact of caught balls on the hand, enhancing comfort and reducing soreness by distributing and absorbing the force of ball impacts, thereby improving the overall catching experience.
Implementation Method 1
The force attenuation systems effectively reduce the impact of caught balls on the hand, enhancing comfort and reducing soreness by distributing and absorbing the force of ball impacts
Data Source
AI summary
A ball glove having a palmar panel, a dorsal panel, and a webbing may have a palmar force attenuation system, a dorsal force attenuation system, or both. The palmar panel and dorsal panel may define a hand cavity having five finger voids. The webbing may be secured to the ball glove and may be positioned between finger voids for the thumb and index fingers. A palmar force attenuation system may include at least one chamber sealed to enclose a fluid. A majority of the palmar force attenuation system may be positioned between the front surface of the palmar panel and the hand void. The palmar force attenuation system may be L-shaped, and it may enclose a foam structure. A dorsal force attenuation system may include at least one chamber sealed to enclose a fluid and may be secured to the dorsal panel.