Impact Board With Accelerometer Array for Ball Impact Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing athlete performance feedback systems are inadequate for various ball sports as they fail to provide comprehensive feedback on ball impact force, impact point, and distance, especially when sensors cannot be installed on athletes or equipment.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a non-rebound substrate with an array of accelerometers, a frame, and a control unit to calculate and provide feedback on impact force, point, and distance using a digital sensor interface and wireless transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are installed on athletes or equipment to provide feedback, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to restricted motions and installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stationary impact board as an intermediary device between the athlete and the ball. The board contains the sensor array and processes impact data, eliminating the need to attach sensors directly to the athlete's body or equipment. This mediator approach maintains measurement precision while preserving athlete motion freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensor attachment systems with a stationary sensing platform. Instead of mechanically mounting sensors on moving parts (athletes' bodies or sports equipment), the system uses a fixed impact board that detects ball impacts, substituting the mechanical attachment problem with a stationary detection solution.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are installed on instruments to provide comprehensive feedback, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The impact board serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a stationary platform for sensor placement, acts as the detection surface for ball impacts, and integrates the sensor array housing. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to installing separate sensor systems on multiple pieces of equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of installing sensors on the actual sports instrument (bat, racket, etc.), the system creates a simplified copy/detection surrogate - the impact board - that captures the essential impact data. The board replicates the impact detection function without requiring sensor installation on the complex, moving sports equipment.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are attached directly to athletes to measure performance, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and device complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The impact board serves as a manufactured intermediary that simplifies the sensor deployment process. Instead of manufacturing and attaching sensors to complex, moving athletic equipment or bodies, the system manufactures a single stationary board with integrated sensor housing, significantly easing the manufacturing and assembly process.
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 athletes to quantify improvements in stamina and performance by providing accurate feedback on ball impact force, point, and distance, suitable for multiple ball sports and contact sports.
Implementation Method 1
The array of sensors are accelerometers
Data Source
AI summary
The system has a non-rebound substrate and a first frame disposed around a peripheral edge thereof. The system further has an array of sensors, a digital sensor interface, and a control unit. The array of sensors is disposed in a center portion of the first frame. The array of sensors has at least 9 accelerometers configured in rows in a rectangular array in the central portion of the first frame. The control unit has a processor electrically connected to the digital sensor interface to receive data from the array of sensors, and has instructions to calculate a force, an impact point, and a distance from a user to the system based on the data received from the array of sensors.