Baseball Yarn Reflecting Portion for Doppler Radar Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball game measurement devices using Doppler radar face challenges in efficiently reflecting microwave waves due to the narrow range of specular reflection from metallic layers on balls, leading to insufficient measurement distances for speed, trajectory, and rotation analysis.
Innovation Solution
A ball with a spherical body formed by winding yarn that includes radio wave transmissivity, featuring a reflecting portion on its surface with radio wave reflectability, configured from yarn that has been given reflectability, allowing efficient reflection of transmission waves over a wide range of angles for reliable antenna reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a metallic layer is provided throughout the entire surface of the ball to enhance visual appearance and design, then the visual appearance and design are improved, but the reflection wave is reflected over only a narrow range by specular reflection, resulting in insufficient measurement distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a metallic layer only on the rear surface of the ball (facing away from the antenna) rather than throughout the entire surface. This localized metallic layer reflects radio waves back toward the antenna over a wide range of angles, improving measurement distance while maintaining acceptable visual appearance from the front surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by placing the metallic reflection layer on the rear surface rather than the front surface. This inversion allows the metallic layer to reflect radio waves back toward the antenna without interfering with the front surface appearance, solving the contradiction between visual appearance and measurement precision.
2Shape
If a metallic layer is provided throughout the entire surface of the ball to enhance visual appearance, then the visual appearance is improved, but the antenna cannot reliably receive the reflected wave due to narrow specular reflection range
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic layer is locally positioned on the rear surface of the ball, creating a directional reflection pattern that redirects radio waves back toward the antenna. This localized placement ensures reliable reception of reflected waves while preserving the visual appearance of the front surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional front surface to a three-dimensional rear surface placement for the metallic layer. This dimensional change allows the metallic layer to utilize the rear hemisphere of the ball to reflect radio waves back toward the antenna, expanding the reflection coverage and improving reliability.
3Reliability
If a metallic layer is provided throughout the entire surface of the ball, then radio wave reflection properties are ensured, but the transmission wave is reflected over only a comparatively narrow range by specular reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic layer is strategically positioned on the rear surface where it can reflect radio waves from multiple angles back toward the antenna. This localized placement on the rear surface provides wide-angle reflection coverage while maintaining strong radio wave reflection properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the spherical curvature of the ball's rear surface to distribute the metallic layer across a wide angular range. The curved geometry naturally provides broad reflection coverage in different directions, enhancing adaptability while maintaining reliable radio wave reflection.
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
This configuration ensures accurate and reliable measurement of ball behavior, even with weak radio wave output or low receiving sensitivity, enhancing the measurement of speed, trajectory, and rotation, while maintaining the durability and feel of a conventional ball.
Implementation Method 1
a reflecting portion having radio wave reflectability formed on a spherical surface whose center is the center of the spherical body
Implementation Method 2
devices using Doppler radar are used as measurement devices to measure the speed of travel, rate of rotation (amount of spin)
Data Source
AI summary
A hard baseball ball is configured including a core layer, an intermediate layer, and the cover layer. The intermediate layer is formed on a spherical body by winding yarn having radio wave transmissivity, which allows radio waves to pass through, in a spherical shape around the core layer. The cover layer covers the intermediate layer, and is formed from a material with radio wave transmissivity. The hard baseball ball also includes the reflecting portion. The reflecting portion is formed on a spherical surface whose center is the center of the spherical body, and has radio wave reflectability. The reflecting portion is configured using yarn from which the intermediate layer is formed. At least a portion of the yarn from which the intermediate layer is formed is given radio wave reflectability, and the reflecting portion is configured from the portion of the yarn that has been given radio wave reflectability.