Resistive Matrix Sensor for Impact Detection in Sports Rebound Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports rebound walls lack a robust and efficient force sensor capable of detecting the location, force, and timing of impacts, often requiring multiple sensors for each target area and lacking bespoke designs for sports training applications.
Innovation Solution
A sports rebound wall equipped with resistive matrix sensors, comprising two arrays of substantially parallel conductive tracks that allow for the detection of impact location, force, and timing by measuring resistance changes upon impact, enabling a single sensor to cover a complete target area and provide detailed feedback for training applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple force sensors are used to detect impact parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple force sensing capabilities into a single matrix sensor by integrating multiple conductive tracks in a grid pattern. When a ball impacts the rebound surface, the matrix sensor detects the change in electrical resistance at the specific location, allowing a single sensor to provide both position and force information that would traditionally require multiple sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to force sensing by arranging conductive tracks in a two-dimensional matrix pattern. This allows the sensor to distinguish not only the magnitude of impact force but also the precise location of impact by measuring resistance changes along different track orientations, effectively adding positional information to the force measurement capability.
2Device complexity
If a single sensor covers a complete target area, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single matrix sensor into multiple conductive track segments arranged in a grid pattern. Each intersection or region of the matrix can independently detect resistance changes, effectively dividing the sensing area into multiple functional zones while maintaining a single integrated sensor structure. This segmentation allows precise localization of impact within the large target area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical force sensing elements with an electrical resistance-based matrix sensor system. Instead of using multiple mechanical force sensors that would physically occupy space and increase complexity, the electrical matrix provides a lightweight, integrated sensing layer that maintains measurement precision through its conductive track geometry.
3Reliability
If bespoke force sensors are designed for sports rebound walls, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sensing parameter from mechanical force measurement to electrical resistance measurement. This parameter change allows the use of flexible, printable conductive tracks that can be manufactured with standard fabrication techniques rather than requiring precision mechanical sensor assembly. The resistance-based approach inherently provides robustness while tolerating reasonable variations in track spacing and geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining conductive materials with flexible substrate materials to create the matrix sensor. This composite approach allows the sensor to be integrated directly into the rebound surface material, creating a robust, monolithic structure that is difficult to damage and does not require precision mechanical assembly, thereby improving reliability while reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
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 resistive matrix sensors enable accurate calculation of impact parameters such as center and size, allowing for various sports training applications and games, providing robust and efficient feedback for user improvement, and can be configured for different sports and user abilities.
Implementation Method 1
a resistive matrix sensor formed on, or embedded in, the target area; wherein the matrix sensor consists of a first array of substantially parallel conductive tracks and a second array of substantially parallel conductive tracks and the first array and the second array are spaced apart from one another
Data Source
AI summary
A sports rebound wall is provided that includes: a rebound surface, at least one target area formed in the rebound surface, and a resistive matrix sensor formed on, or embedded in, the target area. The matrix sensor includes a first array of substantially parallel conductive tracks and a second array of substantially parallel conductive tracks. The first array and the second array are spaced apart from one another. The rebound wall has a matrix sensor that is capable of providing information about the force, location and timing at which the target area of the sports rebound wall is impacted. This is made possible by the specific construction of the matrix sensor.