Embedded Pressure Sensor Ball for Athletic Performance Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for measuring athletic performance in sports like baseball fail to accurately capture the pressures exerted by an athlete's fingers on a ball, which are critical for understanding ball movement and velocity.
Innovation Solution
A system with pressure sensors embedded within the ball, allowing for the measurement of pressure and location of pressure applied by the athlete's fingers, while maintaining the tactile connection and coefficient of friction similar to real-game conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are embedded within the ball, then measurement precision of finger pressure is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor assembly is nested within the ball structure, specifically positioned between the ball's exterior surface and internal components. This nesting approach allows the sensors to be integrated into the ball without significantly altering its external characteristics or requiring separate measurement devices, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded pressure sensor system serves multiple functions: measuring finger pressure magnitude, detecting finger pressure location, and potentially tracking ball handling techniques. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive measurement capabilities from a single integrated system rather than requiring multiple separate devices.
2Reliability
If pressure sensors are embedded within the ball, then reliability of pressure data collection is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ball construction is segmented into distinct layers or zones, with the pressure sensor assembly positioned in a specific segment between the exterior surface and internal components. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes for each segment, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements while ensuring reliable sensor placement for consistent data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor assembly is pre-positioned and secured within the ball structure during manufacturing, rather than requiring precise field placement. This preliminary action during the manufacturing process ensures consistent sensor positioning and reduces the need for high-precision manual placement, thereby improving reliability while managing manufacturing precision requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If pressure sensors are embedded within the ball, then quantity of pressure data collected is improved, but loss of tactile connection is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor assembly is positioned in a localized region within the ball structure, specifically between the exterior surface and internal components, rather than uniformly distributing sensors throughout the entire ball. This local quality approach allows the majority of the ball's surface and internal structure to maintain their original tactile properties, minimizing the harmful effect on tactile connection while still collecting sufficient pressure data from the sensor location.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method wherein pressure and location(s) of such pressure on a ball can be determined over a series of time increments and are determined according to an electronic circuit that can include pressure sensing module(s) and may be configured for data processing, storage, or transmission.