Sport Ball Bladder Pressure Sensing for Real-Time Impact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable sport balls do not provide real-time feedback on impacts or changes in pressure, which can affect their performance and usage in sports.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sensing sport ball system with a bladder, pressure sensor, and processor that gauges pressure changes to determine impacts and outputs visual indications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor and processor are added to the sport ball, then real-time impact detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is embedded within the bladder structure, and the processor is integrated into the sport ball system, creating a nested configuration where sensing and processing components are contained within the existing ball structure. This nesting approach enables real-time impact detection while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by utilizing the existing spatial framework of the sport ball.
Solution Approach 2:
The sport ball system performs self-diagnosis and self-monitoring through the integrated pressure sensor and processor that automatically detect impacts and generate indications without external intervention. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring its own internal pressure state and providing real-time feedback on impacts, eliminating the need for external monitoring devices and reducing overall system complexity.
2Loss of information
If pressure sensing components are integrated into the sport ball, then real-time feedback is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is pre-integrated into the bladder during the manufacturing process, and the processor is pre-configured within the sport ball system. This preliminary integration of sensing and processing components during manufacturing ensures real-time feedback capability is built-in from the start, eliminating the need for complex post-manufacturing assembly and reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor, processor, and sport ball components are merged into a single integrated system where the sensing and processing functions are combined within the existing ball structure. This merging approach enables real-time feedback while simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of separate components that need to be assembled and integrated.
3Measurement precision
If the sport ball structure is modified to include sensing components, then impact detection accuracy is improved, but the sport ball's durability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is integrated into the bladder, which is already a flexible stretchable material designed to withstand compression and expansion. This integration leverages the existing flexibility and durability of the bladder material, enabling accurate impact detection through pressure changes while maintaining the sport ball's overall durability and resistance to degradation from compression and expansion cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The sport ball system monitors its own internal pressure state through the integrated sensor, providing real-time feedback on impacts without requiring external monitoring structures. This self-monitoring approach enables accurate impact detection while avoiding the addition of external components that might compromise the ball's structural integrity and durability.
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
Enables real-time detection of impacts, determining the force and nature of the impact, and provides feedback through a graphical user interface, enhancing user interaction and performance analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor coupled to the bladder and operative to generate pressure data by gauging the pressure of a fluid contained within the bladder
Data Source
AI summary
In one instance, disclosed herein is a pressure sensing sport ball system, including: a casing that forms an exterior of a sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing; a pressure sensor coupled to the bladder and operative to generate pressure data by gauging the pressure of a fluid contained within the bladder; and at least one processor operative to: access the pressure data generated by the pressure sensor; determine, based at least in part on the pressure data, that the sport ball has been impacted; and output an indication that the sport ball has been impacted.