Game Ball Panel Configuration with Convex and Concave Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional soccer balls exhibit non-uniform deformation and stress distribution due to the difference in surface area between hexagonal and pentagonal panels, leading to uneven wear and potential seam failure, affecting the ball's path and velocity upon impact.
Innovation Solution
A game ball design featuring pentagonal and hexagonal panels with non-linear edges, where pentagonal panels have convex edges and hexagonal panels have concave edges, reducing the area of contact and equalizing stress distribution, resulting in more uniform deformation and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional soccer ball panels are made with standard linear edges, then the ball can be manufactured easily, but the stress distribution becomes non-uniform and deformation is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the panel edges by making them non-linear (convex or concave) instead of straight lines. This curvature compensates for the inherent stress concentration at panel intersections, distributing stress more uniformly across the ball surface and reducing non-uniform deformation during inflation and use.
2Area of stationary object
If hexagonal panels have larger surface area, then more panels can cover the ball surface, but stress concentration increases and wear becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the local geometry of panel edges with convex or concave configurations to create non-uniform stress distribution patterns that compensate for the inherent stress concentration. This local geometric modification ensures more uniform stress and wear distribution across panels of different sizes, improving seam durability throughout the ball.
Data Source
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AI summary
A game ball, which may be a soccer ball or a variety of other types of ball. The game ball includes a plurality of pentagonal panels, with each of the pentagonal panels having five convex edges. The game ball also includes a plurality of hexagonal panels, with each of the hexagonal panels having three substantially linear edges and three concave edges. The pentagonal panels and the hexagonal panels are connected along abutting concave edges and convex edges, and the hexagonal panels are connected each other along abutting linear edges.