Inflatable Ball Electronics Casing for Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable sports balls with integrated electronics face issues such as deformation and pressure differential that affect the functionality and integrity of the electronic components due to high internal pressure, and manufacturing complexity when electronics are placed inside the bladder.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable ball design with an electronics casing attached to or integrally formed with the bladder, where the compartment containing the electronics is in fluid communication with the inflatable interior, maintaining equal pressure and reducing stress on the components, and a simplified manufacturing process through separate or integral casing attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electronic components are placed in a pocket formed from folds and sections of the bladder itself, then the components are held in position, but the high pressure inside the ball deforms the pocket and damages the electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the ball structure into separate functional components: the bladder for containing pressurized fluid and the electronics casing for housing electronic components. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the bladder handles pressure containment while the electronics casing provides a protected environment for sensitive electronics, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the electronic components from the pressurized bladder environment and places them in a separate electronics casing. This extraction removes the harmful high-pressure effect from the electronic components while maintaining the structural integrity of the bladder, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating manufacturing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If electronic components are placed within the bladder itself and held in position via attachments, then the electronics are close to the centre of the ball for better balancing, but the design becomes complicated and requires an involved process of attaching the electronics inside the bladder
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the ball into distinct functional modules: the bladder for fluid containment and the electronics casing for housing components. This modular approach maintains balance stability by allowing precise positioning of the electronics casing within the bladder, while simultaneously reducing device complexity through standardized attachment interfaces and simplified assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronics casing is pre-assembled with all electronic components and attachment features before being integrated into the bladder. This preliminary action simplifies the overall manufacturing process by reducing the number of steps required to attach electronics inside the bladder, while still achieving proper balancing through pre-configured weight distribution.
3Reliability
If the compartment containing electronics is sealed separately from the inflatable interior, then the electronics are protected from pressure, but the compartment cannot measure the internal pressure of the ball
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a pressure transmission mechanism (such as a diaphragm or pressure equalization channel) that acts as an intermediary between the pressurized bladder interior and the sealed electronics compartment. This intermediary allows pressure information to be transmitted to the electronics for measurement while maintaining the pressure barrier that protects the components, resolving the contradiction between protection and measurement 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 design ensures reliable operation of electronic components by equalizing pressure within the compartment and ball, preventing deformation and damage, while simplifying manufacturing by allowing for easier assembly and component insertion.
Implementation Method 1
the compartment is in fluid communication with the inflatable interior of the ball such that the compartment is at the same pressure as the inflatable interior of the ball
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable ball with integrated electronics and a method of manufacture. The inflatable ball comprises a bladder defining an inflatable interior of the ball and an electronics casing attached to, or integrally formed with, the bladder. The electronics casing defines a compartment adjacent an inner surface of the inflatable interior of the ball and sealed within the inflatable interior of the ball. The inflatable ball further comprises at least one electronic component, wherein the electronic component is located within the compartment of the electronics casing; and wherein the compartment is in fluid communication with the inflatable interior of the ball such that the compartment is at the same pressure as the inflatable interior of the ball.