Wireless Fencing Weapon Autonomous Detection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fencing systems for detecting hits and determining scores in fencing competitions require wired connections for accuracy, limiting their wireless functionality and leading to errors in hit priority determination, which is not suitable for official competitions.
Innovation Solution
A fencing weapon and equipment system with an autonomous electric detection circuit and wireless communication, using a fencing uniform with resistive materials to distinguish valid and invalid hits, allowing for wireless operation and accurate hit detection without a common ground with the opponent's equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wired connection is used to ensure time accuracy for hit priority determination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to required common ground connection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the detection system into autonomous segments - each fencer's equipment operates independently with its own ground reference, eliminating the need for a shared common ground while maintaining detection accuracy through independent time stamping of hit events
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary reference voltage signal that is transmitted wirelessly to synchronize the detection circuits without requiring a physical common ground connection, thereby enabling wireless operation while maintaining measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If common ground connection is required for accurate hit detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to wired connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the ground reference requirement from the physical connection domain and transfers it to the signal domain by transmitting a reference voltage signal wirelessly, thereby eliminating the need for physical common ground wiring while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/electrical common ground connection with an optical or electromagnetic signal transmission system, substituting wired mechanical connections with wireless signal-based synchronization
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for hit signal transmission, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to maintain common ground
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a reference voltage signal as an intermediary that is transmitted wirelessly to synchronize the detection circuits, enabling wireless operation while maintaining measurement precision through signal-based time synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements feedback mechanisms where the detection circuits continuously synchronize their time references based on the transmitted reference signal, ensuring accurate hit priority determination even in wireless operation mode
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 completely wireless hit detection and score determination with high accuracy, ensuring reliable performance in official competitions by using resistive materials in the uniform and autonomous electric circuits in the equipment, eliminating the need for a common ground and improving hit priority assessment.
Implementation Method 1
using resistive materials to distinguish valid and invalid hits
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A weapon for a fencing discipline 1 is described, which is usable for sports or games, and which is suitable to be connected to a detection apparatus 2 provided with at least a first 21 and a second apparatus terminal 22. The fencing weapon 1 comprises a percussion element 11, having a percussion portion 12 suitable to deliver a hit on a target X, and an electrical device 10, incorporated in the weapon 1. The aforesaid electrical device 10 comprises a reference terminal Tr, adapted to be connected to the first apparatus terminal 21 to receive a reference electrical potential Vr, and a measuring terminal Tm, adapted to be connected to the second apparatus terminal 22 to supply an electrical measuring potential Vm. The electrical device 10 further comprises a first contact terminal Tc1 and a second contact terminal Tc2, arranged so as to come simultaneously into contact with the target X when the aforesaid percussion portion 12 delivers a hit on the target X. The electrical device 10 is configured to take a signalling condition when it is connected to the detection apparatus 2 and at a hit has been delivered on the target X by the percussion portion 12, wherein the reference terminal Tr is kept at the electrical reference potential Vr and is further electrically connected to the first contact terminal Tc1; the first and the second contact terminals (Tc1, Tc2) are adapted to be electrically connected by means of a target portion X comprised there between so as to apply a detection voltage ΔV, depending on the electrical reference potential Vr, to such a target portion; and furthermore either the first or the second electrical contact (Tc1, Tc2) is electrically connected to the measuring terminal Tm, so that the electrical measuring potential Vm takes a signalling value S, depending on the electrical reference potential Vr and the detection voltage ΔV. A fencing equipment and a hit detection method using the aforesaid weapon are also described.