Embedded Sensor Coils in Dartboard Frame for Automatic Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic scoring dartboards face issues with complex production processes, sensor coil positioning difficulties, and susceptibility to damage from darts due to exposed electromagnetic sensor coils, leading to reduced sensing accuracy and stability.
Innovation Solution
A dartboard structure featuring a solid dartboard frame unit with through openings corresponding to score regions, where first and second sensor units are disposed in an intersecting arrangement with a predetermined gap, surrounded by sensing regions, and manufactured using a frame jig filled with a colloid to enhance structural stability and production efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If electromagnetic sensor coils are wound around the dartboard frame and exposed on the surface, then the effective scoring area is maximized, but the sensor coils are prone to be broken or damaged by dart tips and deteriorate due to oxidation and exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic sensor coils are embedded within the dartboard frame structure, with the frame serving as a protective enclosure. The sensors are nested inside the frame body rather than exposed on the surface, allowing the frame to protect them from dart impacts and environmental deterioration while maintaining the scoring functionality through strategically positioned sensor zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The dartboard frame acts as an intermediary protective layer between the electromagnetic sensor coils and external threats (dart tips, oxidation). Instead of exposing sensors directly to the environment, the frame material serves as a mediator that shields the sensors while allowing electromagnetic fields to pass through for detection.
2Reliability
If conventional electromagnetic sensor coils are wound along the dartboard frame, then sensing is achieved, but the production process is tedious and problems of insufficient angle or broken coils occur due to wire flexibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical winding process of traditional electromagnetic coils with a more manufacturable approach. Instead of manually winding soft wires around the frame, the invention uses alternative sensor configurations that can be integrated into the frame during manufacturing, eliminating the tedious winding process and associated problems of wire breakage or insufficient angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor integration process is merged with the frame manufacturing process itself. Rather than separately winding coils after frame construction, the sensors are incorporated into the frame during its formation, streamlining production and reducing the number of discrete manufacturing steps.
3Measurement precision
If electromagnetic sensor coils are disposed on the surface of the dartboard body, then sensing coverage is achieved, but the coils are prone to oxidation and deterioration caused by exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic sensor coils are nested within the protective structure of the dartboard frame, positioned inside the frame body rather than on the external surface. This nesting arrangement maintains sensing coverage through strategic sensor placement while the frame structure protects the coils from oxidation and environmental deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure serves as an intermediary protective barrier between the electromagnetic sensor coils and harmful environmental factors such as oxidation. The frame material shields the sensors from direct exposure to air and moisture while allowing electromagnetic fields to penetrate for accurate sensing.
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 improves production efficiency and structural stability by ensuring precise sensor coil positioning, protecting the wires from dart damage, and maintaining sensing accuracy through the integration of sensor coils within the dartboard frame, allowing for more automated and efficient assembly.
Implementation Method 1
Conventionally, there are 3 types of sensing manners for automatic scoring dartboards: electro-magnetic sensing, pressure sensing and optical image sensing.
Data Source
AI summary
A dartboard structure and a method for manufacturing the dartboard structure are provided. The dartboard structure includes a dartboard body unit, a dartboard frame unit, a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit. The dartboard body unit has a plurality of score regions. The dartboard frame unit has a plurality of through openings that penetrate through the dartboard frame unit, and each of the through openings corresponds to one of the score regions. The second sensor unit and the first sensor unit are in an intersecting arrangement and have a predetermined gap therebetween. The first sensor unit and the second sensor unit surround a plurality of first sensing regions, and each of the first sensing regions corresponds to one of the score regions and one of the through openings.