Vibration-Based Ball Impact Position and Velocity Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for analyzing contact phenomena in sports, such as tennis, require a large number of sensors or high-cost equipment like high-speed cameras, making them complex and expensive, which can be difficult for users to implement and operate effectively.
Innovation Solution
An analysis apparatus and method that acquires vibration data from a hitting tool when a ball collides, specifies the collision position by comparing vibration characteristics, and estimates the velocity of the ball based on the tool's velocity and collision position, using a simpler configuration with a sensor apparatus, smartphone, and server for data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of sensors are arranged on the hitting surface to detect ball impact position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hitting surface is divided into multiple regions, and vibration characteristics are analyzed for each region to determine impact position. This segmentation approach allows accurate position detection without requiring a dense sensor array across the entire surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses vibration sensors to detect mechanical vibrations generated when the ball impacts the hitting surface. By analyzing the vibration characteristics (frequency, amplitude, decay rate), the system can determine the impact position and other parameters without requiring multiple sensors at every possible impact location.
2Measurement precision
If high-speed cameras are used to photograph ball collision to measure velocity and position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces optical measurement systems (high-speed cameras) with a mechanical vibration-based measurement system. Vibration sensors attached to the hitting tool detect mechanical vibrations caused by ball impact, and through signal processing, the system extracts ball velocity, impact position, and other parameters that would otherwise require complex optical systems to measure.
3Device complexity
If vibration sensors are used to detect ball impact, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be insufficient without multiple sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention leverages the natural vibration characteristics of the hitting tool when impacted by a ball. By analyzing frequency content, amplitude, and decay rate of the vibrations, the system can accurately determine impact position and ball velocity using minimal sensors. The vibration signature itself contains encoded information about the impact event.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitting tool itself acts as an intermediary that converts ball impact parameters into measurable vibration signals. The tool's structure and material properties transform the impact event into a vibration pattern that can be decoded to extract precise measurement information about the ball's velocity, position, and other parameters.
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
Enables the analysis of contact phenomena with a simpler and more cost-effective setup, providing accurate velocity estimation of the ball after collision without the need for extensive sensor arrays or high-cost equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor apparatus 100 including a vibration sensor 411
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an analysis apparatus including an acquisition unit that acquires vibration data showing a vibration generated in a first object by having a second object come into contact with a first position on the first object, a first analysis processing unit that specifies the first position by comparing a vibration characteristic shown by the vibration data, and a vibration characteristic defined for each position where the second object may come into contact with the first object, and a second analysis processing unit that estimates a velocity after the contact of the second object based on a velocity of the first object and the first position.