Trackable Hockey Puck with Embedded IR LED and Shock Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hockey pucks intended for communication with puck tracking systems suffer from poor performance characteristics due to custom rubber formulations and two-part designs that lead to catastrophic failures, affecting feel and interaction with the ice, and existing technologies fail to provide acceptable performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A trackable hockey puck design featuring a single-piece outer shell with integrated infrared LED and shock sensor, powered by a battery, which is securely embedded within the puck using a rotational molding process to ensure performance comparable to traditional solid rubber pucks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom rubber formulations and two-part designs are used to enable tracking, then tracking capability is improved, but reliability and safety deteriorate due to catastrophic failures
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking components are segmented into separate modular units (first core and second core) that can be independently inserted into pre-formed bores in the puck. Each core contains its own enclosure, signal emitter, shock sensor, and battery, allowing individual replacement without replacing the entire puck structure, thus maintaining reliability while enabling tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The core components are nested within the puck structure - the first core is disposed in a first bore and the second core is disposed in a second bore of the puck. The cores are further nested within cured potting material that fills the bores, creating a hierarchical nested structure that integrates tracking functionality while maintaining the integrity of the traditional puck design
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom rubber formulations are used for tracking pucks, then tracking functionality is achieved, but performance characteristics deteriorate due to differences in feel and interaction with ice
Solution Approach 1:
The puck maintains traditional rubber material properties in the majority of its volume, with tracking components localized to specific regions (the bores). This allows the puck to have traditional performance characteristics where needed while incorporating modern tracking functionality in localized areas, preserving feel and interaction with ice
Solution Approach 2:
The puck design accepts asymmetric modification by incorporating bores and embedded cores at specific locations rather than uniformly modifying the entire puck structure. This asymmetric approach allows tracking functionality to be added without compromising the overall symmetry and performance characteristics of the traditional puck design
3Adaptability or versatility
If two-part outer shell construction is used, then tracking components can be integrated, but device complexity increases leading to catastrophic failure
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into separate modular cores that can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the puck. This segmentation reduces the complexity of manufacturing each component while allowing flexible integration into the traditional two-part puck shell construction
Solution Approach 2:
Cured potting material serves as an intermediary substance that fills the bores and secures the cores in place. This intermediary material simplifies the integration process by providing a straightforward bonding mechanism between the cores and the puck structure, reducing overall device complexity
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 solution provides hockey pucks with performance characteristics similar to traditional solid rubber pucks while enabling tracking capabilities, enhancing safety and adoption by maintaining the puck's interaction with the ice and reducing the risk of catastrophic failure.
Implementation Method 1
at least one signal emitter (e.g., an infrared LED lamp)
Implementation Method 2
a switch (e.g., a shock sensor) in operative communication with the at least one infrared LED lamp
Implementation Method 3
a battery in operative communication with the switch and the at least one signal emitter
Implementation Method 4
curing the potting material by a rotational molding ('rotomolding') process
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides trackable hockey pucks and golf balls including infrared LED(s) and having performance characteristics substantially the same or the same as traditional solid rubber hockey pucks and traditional solid golf balls, respectively.