Modular Sport Structure Blocks for Fencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sport structures face challenges with portability and ease of assembly due to extensive ribs or stringers and the need for electrically conductive sporting strips, which complicates installation and wire management.
Innovation Solution
The use of modular structure blocks with integrated upper, shock absorption, and cell-support layers, featuring conductive and frictional properties, that can be easily assembled and disassembled to form a sporting surface, incorporating wireless transmission for touch detection and scoring, allowing for flexible configuration and reduced installation complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional sport structures with ribs or stringers and electrically conductive sporting strips are used, then structural stability is achieved, but portability and ease of assembly deteriorate due to extensive components and complex installation
Solution Approach 1:
The sport structure is divided into modular panels that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each panel contains integrated structural support elements, eliminating the need for separate ribs or stringers. This segmentation allows the structure to be stabilized through modular interconnection while maintaining portability and ease of assembly through standardized connection mechanisms.
2Strength
If extensive ribs or stringers are used to support floor panels and sporting strips, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components and wire management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of ribs/stringers, floor panels, and electrically conductive sporting strips into integrated modular panels. The structural support elements are combined with the playing surface and conductive features in a single unified component, eliminating the need for separate installation steps and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular panels serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support through integrated ribs, create the playing surface through their panel design, and enable electrical conductivity for sport fencing applications. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall structure.
3Reliability
If electrically conductive sporting strips are applied over floor panels with ribs or stringers, then touch detection capability is achieved, but installation complexity increases due to wiring and conduit requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically conductive sporting strip is merged with the floor panel and structural support elements into a single modular unit. The conductive pathways are integrated within the panel structure itself, eliminating the need for separate wiring and conduit installations. This maintains reliable touch detection capability while dramatically reducing installation complexity.
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
This solution enhances portability and ease of assembly while providing a stable, conductive, and frictional sporting surface, enabling efficient transmission of touch signals and scoring data, thus improving the overall sporting experience and reducing installation time.
Implementation Method 1
a shock absorption layer, positioned below the upper layer and above the cell-support layer in each individual structure block
Implementation Method 2
a friction feature on the upper layer, which may include elevated ridges
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for structures used in performing a sport are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, individual structure blocks of the two or more structure blocks can include an upper layer, a shock absorption layer that is below the upper layer, and a cell-support layer that is below the shock absorption layer, the upper layer having at least a friction feature, where the upper layer, the shock absorption layer, and the cell-support layer may couple together with corresponding layers of other structure blocks upon the two or more structure blocks being associated together, and where the shock absorption layer includes separate shock absorbing components that are individually associated to the upper layer and to the cell-support layer.