Spring-Loaded Electronic Dart Tip for Impact Damage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic darts suffer from frequent tip damage and deformation due to repeated impacts, leading to high consumption, environmental pollution, and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A dart design featuring a cylindrical body with interconnected cavities, a piston and guide pin system, and a spring mechanism that allows for minimal friction and controlled movement, ensuring the dart tip remains intact and securely penetrates the electronic dartboard, with a replaceable or integrated tip for longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid plastic dart tip is used to prevent board damage, then the dartboard is protected, but the tip deforms with repeated use requiring frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cushioning mechanism consisting of a cushioning element (elastomer material) between the dart tip and the board, and a spring mechanism that provides cushioning upon impact. This beforehand cushioning prevents direct contact between the rigid tip and the board, eliminating deformation while protecting the board from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The dart tip is constructed as a composite structure combining a rigid outer shell (plastic or metal) with an inner cushioning element made of elastomer material. This composite design provides both the structural integrity needed for penetration and the cushioning properties to prevent deformation and board damage.
2Ease of repair
If a replaceable screw-on tip is used, then the tip can be replaced after deformation, but replacement is necessary after only a few throws resulting in high consumption
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing beforehand cushioning through the elastomer element and spring mechanism, the dart tip is protected from deformation before it occurs. This eliminates the need for frequent replacements, significantly reducing material consumption while maintaining ease of replacement capability.
3Weight of moving object
If a metal tip is used instead of plastic, then the dart has higher weight improving flight characteristics, but the tip can damage the electronic dartboard
Solution Approach 1:
The dart tip employs a composite structure with a metal outer shell providing weight and flight characteristics, combined with an inner elastomer cushioning element that prevents board damage. This allows the use of heavier metal tips without the harmful effects of direct metal-on-board contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer cushioning element acts as an intermediary between the metal dart tip and the electronic dartboard. This mediator transfers the impact force while preventing direct contact between the metal tip and the board, thus protecting the board from damage while allowing the use of heavier metal tips.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the dart tip is made blunt or rounded to prevent board damage, then the board is protected, but the tip deforms more easily with repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The dart tip is constructed as a composite structure where the outer shell (plastic or metal) provides structural strength and resistance to deformation, while the inner elastomer cushioning element provides the blunt/rounded contact surface that protects the board from damage.
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 design prevents dart tip damage, extends its lifespan, reduces environmental impact, and enhances throwing precision and reliability by optimizing energy transfer and dart stability.
Implementation Method 1
The piston is supported against the cylinder by a spring
Implementation Method 2
the spring, which braces the piston against the cylinder, to deflect. The spring deflection provides a restoring force
Implementation Method 3
The guide pin, with its rear end attached to or within the piston, is guided slidably in a central section of the first cavity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A dart (1, 31) for electronic darts is proposed, which is equipped with an elongated cylinder (2) designed as a hollow body, a piston (9), a guide pin (10, 40), and a rounded or frustoconical dart tip (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 41). The cylinder (2) has a first through-opening (4), a cylindrical first cavity (7) extending longitudinally (3), and a second cylindrical cavity (8) extending longitudinally (3) from the first cavity (7). The piston (9) is slidably guided in the second cavity (8) longitudinally (3) of the cylinder (2). It is supported on the cylinder (2) by a spring (13) arranged in the second cavity (8), which is deflected when the piston (9) is moved in the longitudinal direction (3) of the cylinder (2).The guide pin (10, 40) is positioned at its rear end (53) at a front end of the piston (9) and is rigidly connected to it. It is guided in the first cavity (7) and, together with the piston (9), is slidably mounted in the cylinder (2). The front end of the guide pin (10, 40) protrudes from the cylinder (2). The dart tip (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 41) is located at this front end of the guide pin (10, 40).