Soccer Ball Rebound Reduction via Bladder Weight Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Soccer balls designed for large fields and 11-player games are unsuitable for small-sided games on smaller fields, as they tend to bounce out of play, disrupting adjacent games or training sessions, especially when played on turf surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A soccer ball with reduced rebound characteristics, similar to those of a futsal ball but within the range of a standard soccer ball, is designed for small-sided play on turf, achieved by adjusting the bladder weight and lining configuration without altering the ball's weight or other critical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard soccer ball is used for small-sided games, then the ball maintains regulation soccer ball properties, but the ball bounces out of the smaller field of play
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the rebound parameter of the soccer ball by adjusting the bladder weight and lining configuration. The bladder is filled with material to increase its weight, which reduces the rebound height to a range suitable for small-sided play on turf while maintaining other critical properties within FIFA standards.
2Reliability
If the ball rebound is reduced for small-sided play, then the ball stays in play area, but the ball becomes unsuitable for full-pitch soccer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying specific internal components (bladder weight and lining) rather than the entire ball structure. The bladder is selectively filled with material to adjust rebound characteristics, while the outer shell and overall ball dimensions remain within FIFA standards, allowing the ball to adapt to different play environments through controlled local modifications.
3Force
If the bladder weight is increased to reduce rebound, then the rebound is reduced, but the overall ball weight changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully balances the parameter changes by increasing bladder weight to reduce rebound while compensating with adjustments to lining configuration and material selection. The goal is to achieve the desired rebound reduction (below standard soccer ball range but above futsal range) while keeping the overall ball weight within FIFA certification limits for the specific ball size.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball for small-sided play having the same characteristics as a standard soccer ball, but with reduced rebound and no added filler is disclosed.