Elastomeric Sensor Boot for Shock-Protected Sports Balls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Embedding sensors in sports equipment like basketballs without altering their shape, elasticity, or bounce characteristics is challenging, especially during dribbling and rebounding, as existing solutions often create 'dead spots' or negatively affect the ball's performance.
Innovation Solution
A sensor module with a wireless-resonant-charging coil positioned internally within the ball's bladder, using an elastomeric boot and a chip-based ultra-wide-band radio-enabled device, which minimizes impact on the ball's performance by spacing the charging coil away from the bladder wall and utilizing wireless resonant charging for efficient battery recharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is embedded in the basketball to monitor performance parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but the ball's bounce characteristics and elasticity are worsened due to creation of dead spots or structural changes
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is nested within a cavity formed in an elastomeric boot, which itself is attached to the inner surface of the bladder. This nested structure allows the sensor to be housed without directly embedding it in the ball's structural layers, minimizing disruption to the ball's composition and bounce characteristics while still enabling performance monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric boot serves as an intermediary structure between the sensor assembly and the bladder. The boot provides a mounting surface for the sensor while its elastic properties help maintain the ball's overall elasticity and bounce characteristics, mediating between the need for sensor integration and preservation of ball performance
2Use of energy by moving object
If a charging coil is placed close to the bladder wall for efficient wireless charging, then charging efficiency is improved, but the coil is struck by the wall during bouncing, worsening reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric boot is positioned between the charging coil and the bladder wall to provide beforehand cushioning. This elastic boot absorbs the impact forces during bouncing, protecting the charging coil from being struck by the wall while maintaining close enough proximity for efficient wireless charging
3Measurement precision
If electronics are embedded in the ball to track location and performance, then measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components requiring integration
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electronic components including the sensor assembly, wireless-resonant-charging coil, and rechargeable battery are merged into a single integrated sensor module housed within one elastomeric boot. This consolidation reduces the number of separate integration points and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining comprehensive performance tracking capability
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 solution allows for accurate tracking of the ball's location and performance parameters without compromising its bounce, rebound, or flight characteristics, ensuring minimal disruption to the ball's natural behavior during use.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless-resonant-charging coil configured to recharge the rechargeable battery
Implementation Method 2
The sensor module is designed to insulate and protect the electronic components from shocks and vibrations associated with using the sports object in a game
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A sports ball includes sensing electronics embedded therein. The electronics are supported on an inner surface of the wall of the ball within an elastomeric boot that extends inwardly toward the center of the ball. The elastomeric boot is configured to protect the electronics from damage due to shock as the ball is used, and to have little if any effect on the performance characteristics of the ball.