Motorized Curling Stone for Autonomous Curved Trajectory Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curling stones with wheels or magnetic levitation cannot independently navigate a parabolic path to avoid obstacles, requiring manual intervention for trajectory changes.
Innovation Solution
A curling stone equipped with a motor, rotating element, stable principal axis of inertia, and control device comprising a vibration sensor and gyroscope, allowing it to autonomously adjust its path based on player input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a curling stone is equipped with wheels or magnetic levitation, then it can move on flat surfaces without ice rinks, but it cannot independently navigate a parabolic path to avoid obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the principal axis of inertia movable relative to the axis of rotation. The rotating element can change the position of its principal axis of inertia during motion, allowing the curling stone to dynamically adjust its trajectory. This dynamic adjustment enables the stone to follow a parabolic path and avoid obstacles independently, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and automation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the principal axis of inertia is located on the longitudinal axis, then the housing moves in a straight line without twisting, but it cannot deviate from the main direction of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the principal axis of inertia dynamically adjustable by using a rotating element that can change its orientation during motion. When the principal axis is aligned with the longitudinal axis, the stone moves straight. When the rotating element changes the principal axis position, the stone deviates from its straight path, enabling parabolic trajectories while maintaining stability control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the principal axis of inertia position by rotating the rotating element. This parameter change allows the stone to transition between straight line movement (principal axis on longitudinal axis) and curved parabolic path (principal axis offset), resolving the contradiction between stability and trajectory flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating element with offset principal axis of inertia is added, then parabolic path navigation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating element serves multiple functions: it generates angular momentum for parabolic path navigation, allows adjustment of the principal axis of inertia position, and can be controlled by the existing motor and control device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving parabolic path 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
Enables the curling stone to autonomously deviate from its main direction, mimicking a parabolic path and avoiding obstacles, enhancing user experience and accessibility on non-ice surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
A stable principal axis of inertia located at a distance from the axis of rotation generates an angular momentum in the rotating element driven by the motor, causing the housing to deviate from the main direction of motion on its way to the target in a manner corresponding to the angular momentum.
Implementation Method 2
the motor has an axis of rotation and a stable main axis of inertia located at a distance from the axis of rotation
Implementation Method 3
the control device comprises a vibration sensor and a gyroscope, wherein the vibration sensor is suitable for detecting the player's pickup of the curling stone and setting the control device into an operational, active state, and the gyroscope is suitable for setting an angular momentum on the principal axis of inertia
Data Source
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AI summary
A curling stone, with a housing having a top, a bottom and a longitudinal axis extending in a main direction of movement from a rear area to a front area, wherein a roller device for support on a flat surface is formed on the bottom and a grip device is formed on the top, with an electric motor arranged in the housing, and with a control device for controlling the motor, is characterized in that the motor is connected to a rotating element via an output shaft and has an axis of rotation and a stable main axis of inertia located at a distance from the axis of rotation.