Rotating Dartboard Target with Sensor-Actuated Sector Indexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dartboards experience uneven wear and require frequent interruption for arrow removal, disrupting continuous training, and existing rotating dartboard solutions do not effectively address these issues.

Innovation Solution

A sports and gaming device with a rotatable target surface divided into equal circular sectors, equipped with an actuator, control device, and sensor that detects hits to rotate the target by a precise angular step, allowing for continuous training and even wear distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the dartboard is stationary, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the wear is uneven and training must be interrupted frequently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidtraining continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dartboard is transformed from a stationary structure to a dynamic rotating structure. The rotation mechanism allows the target surface to be repositioned automatically or manually, enabling continuous training without interruption while maintaining relatively simple construction through the use of a turntable mechanism with support rollers and positioning features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the dartboard is stationary, then the device complexity is low, but the service life is reduced due to uneven wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing rotation capability with a turntable mechanism, the dartboard can be repositioned to distribute wear across different areas of the target surface. The mechanism includes support rollers, positioning features, and a relatively simple actuation system that allows the dartboard to rotate without requiring complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If arrows are removed frequently, then the target surface can be maintained, but the training continuity is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget maintenanceVSAvoidtraining interruption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating turntable mechanism allows the dartboard to be repositioned to present a fresh, unworn portion of the target surface to the player. This dynamic repositioning capability maintains target quality and reliability for continuous training without requiring frequent arrow removal or board replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If the dartboard rotates automatically, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining efficiencyVSAvoidrotation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The turntable mechanism incorporates a rotation drive system that can be actuated by a motor or manually. The positioning system includes features such as indexing mechanisms or sensors that detect when the dartboard has rotated to the correct position. This dynamic system enables automatic rotation and positioning, improving training efficiency while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through the use of standard motorized positioning components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4357724A1Sport and play apparatus and rotation device
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 LOTH BERNHARD
  • EP4357724A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4357724A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4357724A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a sports and games device for a throwing or shooting game, comprising: • a target with a circular target area, which is divided circumferentially into a number n of equal circular sectors, wherein at least a part of the target is rotatably mounted, • an actuator operatively connected to the target for generating a rotation of at least a part of the target by an angular step α < 360°, • a control device operatively connected to the actuator for controlling the actuator, and • at least one sensor operatively connected to the control device, which is configured to detect a hit on the target area and transmit a signal to the control device. The invention further relates to a rotating device for receiving and rotating a target of a throwing or shooting game with a circular target area.