Wireless Charging Sensor Sleeve for Football Performance Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ball sports training tools, such as in-ball sensors, face issues with battery replacement and rechargeability, limiting their functionality in measuring throwing and kicking accuracy and dynamics, as they often become non-functional when the battery fails and cannot be accessed or recharged.

Innovation Solution

A ball device with a sensor unit housed in a sleeve, featuring a rechargeable battery, accelerometer, processor, and wireless communication capabilities, including a pickup coil for wireless charging, allowing continuous use and data transmission for accuracy and dynamic measurement feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sensor unit with battery is embedded in the ball for measuring ball dynamics, then measurement capability is improved, but the device becomes non-functional when battery fails and cannot be recharged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidbattery replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical battery replacement system with a wireless electromagnetic induction charging system. A pickup coil is embedded in the ball body to receive wireless power signals from an external charging device, eliminating the need for mechanical battery access and replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor unit is designed to recharge itself automatically when placed on a wireless charging surface. The ball's internal pickup coil receives power wirelessly without requiring user intervention to open compartments or replace batteries, enabling the device to service its own power needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a sensor unit is embedded in the ball for measuring dynamics, then ball dynamics measurement is improved, but accuracy measurement capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamics measurementVSAvoidaccuracy measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit is designed with multi-functionality, integrating both dynamics sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) and accuracy measurement capabilities (proximity sensors, GPS receivers, satellite location receivers). This allows a single device to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor unit is divided into functional modules: dynamics measurement module with accelerometers and gyroscopes, accuracy measurement module with proximity sensors and satellite receivers, and wireless communication module. This segmentation allows each module to optimize its specific measurement function while working together as an integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a sensor unit with non-rechargeable battery is used, then device simplicity is improved, but continuous functionality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidcontinuous functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the simple non-rechargeable battery structure with a wireless electromagnetic induction charging system. A pickup coil is embedded in the ball body to receive wireless power signals from an external charging device, eliminating the need for mechanical battery access and replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless charging capability enables continuous operation of the sensor unit. The ball can be recharged quickly during brief periods between uses, ensuring the device remains functional continuously without long interruptions for battery replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 continuous measurement and feedback on throwing and kicking accuracy and dynamics, with the ability to recharge the sensor unit wirelessly, maintaining functionality and providing valuable performance metrics to athletes.

Implementation Method 1

a pickup coil for wireless charging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11511164B2Balanced ball device including a sensing unit for performance measurement

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 FRANCIS DANYA GANJ

AI summary

A football device includes an outer skin and an inner bladder to be inflatable and substantially resemble and perform like an actual football. The football device includes a sensor unit that can sense various performance metrics and wirelessly communicate data to another device such as a mobile device. To maintain a feel and performance as close to an actual football as possible, a battery powering the sensor unit is wirelessly recharged.