Multi-Sport Court Ball Classification and Supply System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sports courts are typically designed for a single sport, lacking a scientific and efficient solution for automatically classifying and supplying balls for multiple sports played on the same court.

Innovation Solution

A multi-sport court with an inclined surface and embedded electronic signal sensors in balls, allowing for automatic classification and distribution of soccer, basketball, volleyball, and foot volleyball balls through a network of gates and a ball distribution system, enabling simultaneous play of various sports without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a multi-sport court is designed to accommodate multiple sports, then the versatility and spatial utilization are improved, but the complexity of ball classification and supply systems increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-sport capabilityVSAvoidball classification and supply system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ball supply system is segmented into multiple independent channels, each dedicated to a specific sport type. The housing is divided by partitions into separate ball storage portions for different sports, with each portion having its own inclined bottom face leading to a dedicated discharge opening. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple sports simultaneously without requiring complex classification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ball supply device is designed with universal applicability across multiple sports. The housing structure can store balls for different sports (soccer, basketball, volleyball, etc.), and the inclined bottom faces with multiple discharge openings provide universal supply capability to various court areas. The system serves multiple functions through a single integrated device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If automatic ball collection and supply is implemented, then the productivity and training efficiency are improved, but the device complexity and initial cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveball supply speedVSAvoidautomatic ball collection system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes gravitational potential energy by designing inclined bottom faces in the ball storage portions. Balls automatically roll down the inclined surfaces toward the discharge openings without requiring mechanical propulsion systems. This gravity-based approach achieves rapid ball supply while minimizing the complexity of mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The ball supply system operates autonomously without requiring manual intervention. Balls are automatically supplied through the inclined mechanisms and discharge openings to the court areas where they are needed. The system serves itself by utilizing the natural rolling motion of balls on inclined surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If ball classification by sport type is implemented, then the accuracy of ball supply is improved, but the measurement and detection requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveball type identificationVSAvoidchip identification system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex detection systems to identify ball types, the system segments the ball storage and supply process by physically separating balls of different sports into dedicated storage portions. Each sport's balls are stored in their own compartment with a designated discharge opening, ensuring accurate supply without requiring electronic detection or identification systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 efficient and systematic practice of multiple ball sports on a single court, ensuring rapid ball supply and transfer, enhancing training efficiency and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

A slight inclination is formed on a court, so that balls are automatically collected and lifted without disturbing a game

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3821955B1Multi-sport and multi-court structure capable of automatically collecting and supplying ball
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 CHO BYOUNGKOO
  • EP3821955B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3821955B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3821955B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention proposes a court, which is a half- or full-court in which ball sports, such as soccer (penalty kicks), foot volleyball, volleyball, and basketball (3 × 3 basketball), can be played. The court allows balls to be automatically and rapidly supplied in the case where it takes time to resume a game, such as a case where a game is replayed or a case where a ball is out according to the characteristics of each type of sport, or in the case where serve-reception practice is required, and also allows balls to be naturally collected and lifted because the court is inclined and allows the balls to be automatically classified according to the types of balls and to be supplied to the court.