DE102021104215A1 - sports equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

Sports device with several separate panels (2, 3, 4, 5), each of which has a panel body (6), at least one actuating surface (7) provided on an outside of the panel body (6) and at least one force detection unit (8 ) by means of which at least one force (F) exerted on the actuating surface (7) can be detected and at least one item of force information (SF) characterizing this force (F) can be provided, with each plate (2, 3, 4, 5) having a has a control unit (9) connected to the force detection unit (8) and a transmission and reception unit (10) connected to the control unit (9), by means of which electromagnetic or acoustic waves can be emitted and received, so that data can be transmitted and received by means of the transmission and reception units (10). the control units (9) of the panels (2, 3, 4, 5) and/or between the control unit (9) at least one or each of the panels (2, 3, 4, 5) and at least one separate from the pla tten provided terminal (11) are interchangeable.

Description

The invention relates to sports equipment with several separate panels, each of which has a panel body, at least one actuating surface provided on an outer side of the panel body and at least one force detection unit assigned to the actuating surface, by means of which at least one force exerted on the actuating surface, in particular from the outside, can be detected and at least force information characterizing this force, in particular in the form of at least one electrical signal, can be provided.

Such sports equipment is for example from the DE 10 2010 030 268 A1 known, which discloses a device for increasing the physical performance of a user, comprising a modular floor with a plurality of floor modules, wherein the floor modules comprise at least one or more sensitive floor modules, and the floor modules can be connected to one another. Each sensitive floor module is set up to form a floor of an exercise area, with the sensitive floor module having a surface facing the exercise area, with the sensitive floor module comprising at least one pressure-sensitive element, with the pressure-sensitive element being incorporated into a body of the sensitive floor module, with the The surface of the sensitive floor module has at least one actuating surface assigned to the pressure-sensitive element, the pressure-sensitive element being set up to detect a pressure load on the actuating surface by the user, the sensitive floor module also having at least one edge and the edge having at least one connecting element by means of whose the sensitive floor module can be connected to at least one other floor module.

The known device for increasing the physical performance of a user is tied to the place of use and inflexible. In particular, it requires a greater effort to relocate the device to another location. Another disadvantage is that the device is also set up when it is not needed, so that the user always has to provide a larger area that cannot be used otherwise. Complex peripherals and hardware are also necessary. In addition, the device is more or less rigid and unchangeable in its function, so that the range of functions or scope of adjustment is limited.

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is in particular to increase the degree of flexibility and/or mobility of a piece of sports equipment mentioned at the outset.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with a piece of sports equipment according to claim 1 . Preferred developments of the sports device are given in the dependent claims and in the following description.

A piece of sports equipment with several separate panels, each of which has a panel body, at least one actuating surface provided on an outer side of the panel body and at least one force detection unit assigned to the actuating surface, by means of which at least one force exerted on the actuating surface, in particular from the outside, can be detected and at least one of this force characterizing force information, in particular in the form of at least one electrical signal, is developed in particular in that each plate has a control unit connected to the force detection unit and a transmitting and receiving unit connected to the control unit, by means of which electromagnetic or acoustic waves can be emitted and received , so that by means of the sending and receiving units data between the control units of the disks and/or between the control unit of at least one or each of the disks and at least one separately end device provided by the plates, in particular wirelessly and/or by radio, can be exchanged.

Due to the wireless communication, the plates do not have to be mechanically connected to each other, but can be arranged at a distance from one another. This increases the flexibility with regard to the arrangement of the plates. Mobility is also increased since the plates do not have to be mechanically separated from one another to dismantle the piece of sports equipment. In particular, the sports device according to the invention forms a mobile sports device.

The sports device according to the invention can also be used as a game device, for example. For example, the sports device according to the invention can also be referred to as a sports and play device or as a mobile sports and play device. The expression "at least one" includes in particular the meaning of "one" or "exactly one" and/or "several".

Each slab lies or the slabs lie, for example, on a floor or substructure. The actuating surface of each plate is preferably turned away from the floor or subsurface. In particular, the operating surface of each panel faces upwards and/or away from the surface of the earth.

Advantageously, by means of the force detection unit, several forces exerted on the actuating surface, in particular from the outside, can be detected and force information characterizing these forces, in particular in the form of electrical signals. The at least one or each piece of force information is preferably electronic information. The at least one or each force is in particular a compressive force.

The electromagnetic waves are in particular decimeter waves and/or centimeter waves. For example, the electromagnetic waves are in the UHF range or in the SHF range. This means that standard radio technologies such as “WLAN” (Wireless Local Area Network) or “Bluetooth” can be used. If acoustic waves can be emitted and/or received by means of the transmitting and receiving unit, these waves are, in particular, ultrasound.

Each transmitting and receiving unit preferably has at least one transmitter and at least one receiver. The at least one transmitter of each transmitting and receiving unit is preferably a UHF transmitter and/or an SHF transmitter. Furthermore, the at least one receiver of each transmitting and receiving unit is preferably a UHF receiver and/or an SHF receiver. UHF (Ultra High Frequency) means in particular the range of decimeter waves and SHF (Super High Frequency) means in particular the range of centimeter waves. In the field of decimeter waves and centimeter waves, “WLAN” and “Bluetooth” are also used in particular. The at least one transmitter of each transmitting and receiving unit preferably forms or includes a WLAN transmitter and/or a WPAN transmitter (WPAN=Wireless Personal Area Network), such as a Bluetooth transmitter. The at least one receiver of each transmitting and receiving unit preferably forms or comprises a WLAN receiver and/or a WPAN receiver, such as a Bluetooth receiver. This means that tried and tested technologies that are available on the market can be used for data exchange. Each transmitting and receiving unit preferably comprises at least one or more antennas. The at least one transmitter of each transmitting and receiving unit advantageously includes at least one or more of the antennas, which is or are referred to in particular as a transmitting antenna or transmitting antennas. The at least one receiver of each transmitting and receiving unit preferably includes at least one or more of the antennas, which is or are referred to in particular as a receiving antenna or receiving antennas. Each antenna of the transmitting and receiving units can advantageously be used both as a receiving antenna and as a transmitting antenna. For example, each antenna of the transmitting and receiving units forms both a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna.

Preferably, by means of the force detection unit and/or by means of the control unit of each plate, the at least one or at least one or each force exerted on the actuating surface can be compared with one or at least one or one force threshold value and preferably, in particular for each comparison, at least one of these or the actuation information characterizing the respective comparison, in particular in the form of at least one electrical signal. This makes it possible, for example, to ignore fleeting incorrect touches on the actuating surfaces and/or to specify a minimum force for actuating the actuating surfaces. Each piece of actuation information is advantageously electronic information.

The data preferably includes the at least one item of force information of at least one or each of the plates. Additionally or alternatively, the data include, for example, the at least one actuation information item of at least one or each of the plates. The data is preferably electronic data.

In particular, the panels are intended to be spaced apart from one another. The plates are preferably arranged or can be arranged at a distance from one another. The actuating surface of each plate is intended in particular to be actuated and/or pressed, preferably by an operator. The actuating surface of each plate can preferably be actuated and/or pressed, preferably by an operator. The actuation area and/or the panel area of each panel is preferably less than or equal to 1 square meter, preferably less than or equal to 0.25 square meter. Advantageously, the actuating surface and/or the plate surface of each plate is round or polygonal, for example square, hexagonal or octagonal. All plates are preferably designed and/or constructed identically or in the same way.

Each control unit is preferably a digital control unit. In particular, each control unit includes a computer, preferably a digital computer. Each control unit advantageously includes a microcontroller. Each control unit preferably comprises at least one memory unit, which in particular has at least one volatile memory and/or at least one non-volatile memory. Each control unit preferably comprises at least one or more analog-to-digital converters (AD converters) and/or at least one or more digital-to-analog converters (DA converters). The memory unit and/or the volatile memory and/or the non-volatile memory and/or the AD converter or converters and/or the DA converter or converters can also be integrated into the respective digital computer and/or microcontroller, for example.

The terminal is preferably a digital terminal. In particular, the terminal comprises a computer, preferably a digital computer. The terminal advantageously includes a microcontroller. The end device preferably comprises at least one memory unit, which in particular has at least one volatile memory and/or at least one non-volatile memory. The end device preferably comprises at least one transmitting and receiving device, by means of which electromagnetic or acoustic waves can be emitted and received, so that data or the data between the control unit of at least one or each of the plates and the end device can be transmitted and received by means of the at least one transmitting and receiving device, in particular wirelessly and/or by radio, are interchangeable. The terminal is preferably a computer, such as a personal computer (PC). The end device is preferably a mobile end device. In particular, the end device is a mobile phone or smartphone, a notebook, a tablet computer or another portable or mobile computer. The end device preferably comprises at least one display device, preferably in the form of a screen.

According to a development, each plate has a position detection unit, preferably connected to its or the respective control unit. In particular, the position of the plates relative to one another can be determined by means of the position detection units. In addition or as an alternative, the position detection units can be used, for example, to determine the absolute position of the plates and preferably to derive the relative position of the plates to one another. This means that the relative position of the plates to one another does not have to be measured manually, for example. For example, the position detection units form a real-time localization system (RTLS). The position of the plates relative to one another can be used, in particular, to determine a sporting performance performed or to be performed by the operator.

The position detection units, in particular at least one, can preferably be used to determine and/or provide position information or position information characterizing the relative position of the plates to one another and/or the absolute position of the plates, preferably in the form of at least one electrical signal or electrical signals. Advantageously, the at least one or each item of position information or items of position includes, in particular at least one, the distance or distances from at least one or each of the plates to at least one or each other of the plates characterizing distance information or distance information. The at least one or each item of position information preferably comprises or the items of position information comprise, in particular at least one, distance information or distance information characterizing the distance or the distances between the plates. The at least one or each item of position information preferably includes or the items of position information include, in particular additionally, in particular at least one, direction information or direction information characterizing the direction or directions of at least one or each of the plates in relation to at least one or each other of the plates.

Additionally or alternatively, the position detection unit of each plate, preferably at least one, can advantageously be used to determine and/or provide position information characterizing the relative position of this or the respective plate to at least one or each other of the plates, preferably in the form of at least one electrical signal or electrical signals. The at least one or each item of position information preferably includes or includes the items of position information, in particular at least one, the distance or the distances of the respective plate to at least one or each other of the plates characterizing distance information or distance information. The at least one or each item of position information preferably includes or the items of position information include, in particular additionally, preferably at least one, direction information or direction information characterizing the direction or directions from the respective plate to at least one or each other of the plates.

The at least one or each piece of distance information or the distance information is or can be determined, for example, by the IPS method (IPS=Indoor Positioning System) and/or by the RSSI method (RSSI=Received Signal Strength Indicator). The at least one or each piece of directional information or the directional information can be determined, for example, by the angle-of-arrival method (AoA) and/or by the angle-of-departure method (AoD). The at least one or each position information or the position information is or can be determined, for example, by and/or using triangulation and/or trilateration. The data preferably include the at least one or each piece of position information or the position information. The at least one or each position information or the position information is or are preferably electronic information or electronic information.

The position detection unit of each plate comprises, for example, at least one receiver for a position determination system, preferably for a global position determination system, in particular for a satellite-based global position determination system, such as a GPS receiver catcher, a Galileo receiver, a BeiDou receiver, a GLONASS receiver, etc. However, a satellite-based positioning system is unfavorable indoors, since reception is weakened by walls.

According to one embodiment, each position detection unit has at least one transmitter and at least one receiver. The at least one transmitter of each position detection unit is preferably a UHF transmitter and/or an SHF transmitter. Furthermore, the at least one receiver of each position detection unit is preferably a UHF receiver and/or an SHF receiver. Thus, the at least one or each position information or the position information can also be determined in closed rooms. The at least one transmitter of each position detection unit preferably forms or includes a WLAN transmitter and/or a WPAN transmitter, such as a Bluetooth transmitter. The at least one receiver of each position detection unit preferably forms or comprises a WLAN receiver and/or a WPAN receiver, such as a Bluetooth receiver. Thus, tried-and-tested technologies that are available on the market can be used to determine the at least one or each piece of position information or the position information. Each position detection unit preferably comprises at least one or more antennas. The at least one transmitter of each position detection unit advantageously includes at least one or more of the antennas, which is or are referred to in particular as a transmitting antenna or transmitting antennas. The at least one receiver of each position detection unit preferably includes at least one or more of the antennas, which is or are referred to in particular as a receiving antenna or receiving antennas. Each antenna of the position detection units can advantageously be used both as a receiving antenna and as a transmitting antenna. For example, each antenna of the position detection units forms both a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. Bluetooth version 5.1 or later is advantageously used, since this Bluetooth version includes a direction finding function.

According to a further development, the position detection unit of each plate includes its transmitting and receiving unit. In particular, the position detection unit of each disk includes the transmitting and receiving unit of the respective disk. The position detection unit of each plate is preferably formed by its transmitting and receiving unit. In particular, the position detection unit of each plate is formed by the transmitting and receiving unit of the respective plate. In this way, for example, the number of components can be reduced.

According to one embodiment, an evaluation unit is provided. The evaluation unit is preferably formed by one or at least one of the control units and/or by the terminal device. In addition or as an alternative, the evaluation unit is connected, for example, to one or at least one of the control units and/or to the end device, for example by means of at least one connecting line and/or wirelessly. The evaluation unit preferably comprises at least one display device, preferably in the form of a screen. In particular, the at least one or each piece of position information or the position information can be received by means of the evaluation unit. The relative position of the plates to one another can advantageously be determined, in particular at least two-dimensionally, by means of the evaluation unit. An image representing the position of the plates relative to one another can preferably be displayed and/or visualized by means of the evaluation unit and/or the terminal device.

According to a development, at least one or each of the plates has at least one light source, preferably connected to its or the respective control unit, by means of which at least one, preferably visible, light signal can be generated. The illuminant of the at least one or each panel can be used in particular to prompt the operator, in particular by the or a light signal, to activate or press the actuating surface of the at least one or the respective panel. The at least one illuminant of the at least one or each plate preferably forms a ring surrounding its or the respective actuating surface.

According to one embodiment, at least one or each of the plates has at least one tone generator, preferably connected to its or the respective control unit, by means of which at least one, preferably audible, tone signal can be generated. The tone generator of the at least one or each plate can be used in particular to confirm or acknowledge a pressing or actuating of the actuating surface of the at least one or the respective plate, for example by the operator, in particular by means of the or a tone signal. Additionally or alternatively, the tone generator of the at least one or each plate can be used in particular to prompt the operator, in particular by the or a tone signal, to activate or press the actuating surface of the at least one or the respective plate. Preferably the or each tone generator comprises a loudspeaker.

According to one development, one of the control units forms a primary control unit by means of which in particular at least one or any other of the control units can be controlled. The at least one or each other control unit is also referred to as a secondary control unit, for example. In this case, for example, the end device is not absolutely necessary for the operation of the sports equipment. However, the primary control unit can preferably be controlled by means of the terminal device and the secondary control units can be controlled in particular by means of the primary control unit. For example, the piece of sports equipment can be operated in such a way that the end device communicates with the primary control unit, which communicates with the secondary control units.

The lighting means and/or the tone generators of the panels can preferably be activated by means of the end device, for example directly or via the primary control unit, in particular in a predetermined order and/or at predetermined times and/or one after the other. The predetermined sequence and/or the predetermined points in time is or are preferably stored in the terminal. The points in time are preferably defined as time intervals from a starting point in time, which is specified in particular. The start time can preferably be specified by the operator or by an operator. An activated light source emits in particular a light signal and/or an activated tone generator emits in particular a tone signal. The information about the sequence and/or the times is referred to as a training plan, for example, which is preferably stored in the terminal.

According to one embodiment, at least one or each of the plates has a preferably mobile power supply unit connected to its or the respective control unit. The or each power supply unit preferably comprises at least one electrical energy store. The or each power supply unit is preferably formed by at least one electrical energy store. The electrical energy store is or includes, for example, at least one battery and/or at least one accumulator and/or at least one capacitor.

Each plate preferably has a plurality of electrical contacts which are accessible from the outside and which are connected in particular to the electrical energy store and/or to the control unit. In particular, an external power source can be connected to the power supply unit and/or to the at least one energy store via the contacts, so that in particular the at least one electrical energy store can be electrically charged.

According to a development, the force detection unit of each plate includes at least one, in particular capacitive, force sensor, which preferably has a dielectric made of elastomeric material. Such a force sensor is, for example, significantly more robust than a piezoelectric force sensor. The plates can therefore withstand high loads without fear of damage to the force sensor. According to an alternative, the at least one force sensor of each plate is a piezoelectric force sensor. In this way, in particular, an increase in the accuracy of the force measurement can be achieved. However, a piezoelectric force sensor is not very robust and can therefore easily be damaged during operation of the sports device. The elastomeric material is preferably rubber.

According to one embodiment, the force detection unit of each plate comprises a plurality of, preferably capacitive, force sensors which preferably, in particular each, have a dielectric made of elastomeric material. Alternatively, the force sensors of each plate are, for example, piezoelectric force sensors. In particular, the force sensors of each plate form a two-dimensional sensor arrangement, for example in the form of a matrix or an array. The force sensors of each plate are preferably arranged in the form of a particularly two-dimensional sensor matrix or a particularly two-dimensional sensor array. The force detection unit of each plate can preferably be used to detect, in particular simultaneously or quasi-simultaneously, a number of forces exerted on this activation surface at different locations on the respective activation surface, and force information characterizing these forces, in particular in the form of electrical signals, can be provided. This makes it possible, for example, to determine a force distribution over the actuation area of each plate. For example, the manner in which the operator presses on the or one of the actuating surfaces, e.g. with a hand or a foot, can be recognized. In particular, the terms matrix and array are used interchangeably. The elastomeric material is preferably rubber. The number of force sensors in each plate and/or each array is, for example, at least three or at least four.

The force detection unit and/or the control unit and/or the transmitting and receiving unit and/or the position detection unit and/or the light source and/or the tone generator and/or the power supply unit and/or the electrical energy store of each panel is or are preferably in the or arranged or provided and/or integrated in the respective panel body. The panel body of each panel is preferably elastic, in particular essentially or at least partially. Advantageously, the plate body of each plate consists, in particular essentially or at least partially, of elastomer.

In particular, the sports device according to the invention requires less space at the place of use and is, for example, more flexible when the sports device is not being used, since it can be easily dismantled. The sports device according to the invention preferably offers the operator more flexibility when using it and for achieving the sporting goals, since, for example, distances or stretches can be easily adapted to the respective performance level. In addition, the sports device according to the invention offers the possibility of more precise power consumption and more extensive tracking of the training progress, since it is not only possible to recognize events (e.g. stepping/pressure on the plate) but also to quantify the event and evaluate it in a sports-scientific manner. In addition to the physical quantity of force, the quantities of distance and time are also particularly important for a qualitative tracking of routes. The time can be recorded with sufficient accuracy by the control units and/or the terminal. The physical variable path, ie the distance between the plates, is determined in particular by the control units and/or by the position detection units and/or by the terminal and/or by the evaluation unit.

Each plate of the sports device according to the invention comprises in particular at least one capacitive force sensor which is connected to the respective control unit, which in turn is connected to the respective transmitting and receiving unit. Each plate is preferably powered electrically by a mobile power supply unit (e.g. with a battery and/or accumulator). In particular, each plate forms a sensing plate which can preferably be linked to at least one or each other of the plates and/or can exchange data.

The boards process, for example, time and value-discrete signals, to which a finite number of quantization levels are assigned at defined points in time, and send these signals wirelessly to the end device and/or the evaluation unit (e.g. a PC and/or a tablet) using the respective transmitting and receiving unit computer and/or a smartphone). These signals or data are evaluated and visualized in the end device and/or the evaluation unit. According to one embodiment, the evaluation unit is provided, for example, outside the panels and/or is formed by the terminal device, for example. Alternatively, the evaluation unit can also be formed by the control unit of one or at least one of the plates. The number of plates is preferably at least two.

A capacitive force sensor is preferably used because it can withstand high loads, but at the same time reacts very tactilely and offers the possibility of evaluating events qualitatively and quantitatively. This means that an activity and/or actuation can be identified and also described (e.g. force and duration of exertion).

It is therefore possible to set different intensities from when the force signal is triggered. In the training context, this enables clear advantages and possibilities to support or challenge the user in different exercises.

The sending and receiving unit makes it possible to wirelessly send the force information to a data processing program/software which is executed, for example, in the end device and/or in the evaluation unit and/or in at least one or each of the control units. As a result, the sports equipment is flexible and independent of the place of use and can therefore be used inside buildings as well as outdoors.

A clear path can be defined for every possible route between the individual panels by wirelessly detecting the position of the panels in relation to one another, such as with Bluetooth 5.1. The operator does not have to worry about positioning the plates exactly. The plates can be positioned in any arrangement, for example, and the evaluation unit automatically takes over these positions, in particular through the data processing program, in order to use them as a basis for a distance-time measurement.

• - Automatische Abstandserkennung bei beliebiger Anordnung der Platten;
• - Erstellung eigener Trainingspläne oder Konfigurationen (Workouts);
• - In Abhängigkeit der Belastung variable Auslösung -> wertdiskretes zeitkontinuierliches Messsignal mit variablem Schwellwert;
• - Jede Platte umfasst wenigstens einen kapazitiven Sensor, z.B. bestehend aus zwei Elektroden und einem, insbesondere gummiartigen, Elastomermaterial;
• - Die Dicke jeder Platte beträgt insbesondere weniger als 15 mm, vorzugsweise weniger als 12 mm;
• - Das Sportgerät ist in der Anzahl der einzubindenden Platten theoretisch unbegrenzt (z.B. 1 bis 50 Platten wird in der Regel für Anwendungen ausreichen).

The sports device according to the invention offers the following features and advantages, for example:

• - Automatic distance detection with any arrangement of the plates;
• - Creation of own training plans or configurations (workouts);
• - Variable triggering depending on the load -> value-discrete time-continuous measuring signal with variable threshold value;
• - Each plate comprises at least one capacitive sensor, for example consisting of two electrodes and an, in particular rubber-like, elastomeric material;
• - The thickness of each plate is in particular less than 15 mm, preferably less than 12 mm;
• - The sports equipment is theoretically unlimited in the number of panels to be integrated (e.g. 1 to 50 panels will usually be sufficient for applications).

• 1: eine schematische Ansicht eines Sportgeräts mit mehreren Platten,
• 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer der aus 1 ersichtlichen Platten,
• 3 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild der Platte nach 2,
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Kraftsensors der Platte nach 2,
• 5 eine Explosionsdarstellung der Platte nach 2 und
• 6 eine schematische Ansicht eines Sensor-Arrays.

The invention is described below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. Show in the drawing:

• 1 : a schematic view of a sports device with several plates,
• 2 a perspective view of one of 1 visible plates,
• 3 a schematic block diagram of the disk 2 ,
• 4 a schematic representation of a force sensor of the plate 2 ,
• 5 an exploded view of the plate 2 and
• 6 a schematic view of a sensor array.

Out of 1 shows a schematic view of a piece of sports equipment 1 according to one embodiment, which comprises a plurality of separate panels 2, 3, 4 and 5, each of which has a panel body 6, at least one actuating surface 7 provided on an outside of the panel body 6 and at least one force detection unit assigned to the actuating surface 7 8 (see 3 ) by means of which at least one pressure force F (see 2 ) can be detected and at least one piece of force information characterizing this force F in the form of a signal SF (see 3 ) can be provided, which is also referred to as a force signal.

2 shows a perspective view of FIG 1 apparent plate 2. Furthermore, from 3 a schematic block diagram of the plate 2 can be seen. Since all panels are constructed identically, the structure of panel 2 also represents the structure of the other panels 3, 4 and 5, so that in the following the panels will be described with reference to panel 2, unless otherwise noted.

Each plate has a control unit 9 connected to the force detection unit 8 and a transmitting and receiving unit 10 connected to the control unit 9, by means of which electromagnetic waves can be emitted and received. Thus, by means of the sending and receiving units 10 data are provided between the control units 9 of the disks 2, 3, 4 and 5 and/or between the control unit 9 at least one or each of the disks 2, 3, 4 and 5 and one separate from the disks Terminal 11 wirelessly interchangeable. Each transmitting and receiving unit 10 comprises a transmitter 12 and a receiver 13. Furthermore, each transmitting and receiving unit 10 preferably comprises a plurality of antennas 14 and 15 at least one or more of the receiver 13 assigned as receiving antenna (s) 15. Alternatively, however, it is also possible that each of the antennas 14 and 15 can be used both as a transmitting antenna and as a receiving antenna.

Each plate has an illuminant 16 which is connected to its control unit 9 and forms a ring surrounding its actuating surface 7 . The illuminant comprises, for example, at least one or more light-emitting components 17, such as light-emitting diodes, which are arranged along the rim, in particular at a distance from one another. Furthermore, each plate has a tone generator 18 connected to its control unit 9, by means of which at least one audible tone signal can be generated. The Tongerator 18 includes a loudspeaker 19, by means of which the sound can be output. Each panel also has a power supply unit 20 connected to its control unit 9, which comprises at least one electrical energy store 21, such as an accumulator. In addition, each plate has electrical contacts 22 that are accessible from the outside and are connected to the electrical energy store 21 and/or to the control unit 9 . In particular, an external power source can be connected to the energy store 21 via the contacts 22 so that the latter can be charged electrically.

The transmitting and receiving unit 10 of each plate also forms a position detection unit at the same time, with at least one item of position information characterizing the relative position of the plates to one another being able to be determined and made available by means of the position detection units. The at least one piece of position information comprises, for example, at least one piece of distance information characterizing the distance between the plates and preferably additionally at least one piece of directional information characterizing the direction of at least one or each of the plates in relation to at least one or each other of the plates. In 1 For example, the distance between plates 2 and 3 is shown with the reference A and the direction from plate 2 to plate 3 is shown with the letter R. The direction information can in particular also be given by an angle α between the direction R and a reference direction Rr. The position detection unit can preferably determine at least one or each of the plates the distance and the direction from the at least one or the respective plate to each other of the plates.

The force detection unit 8 of each plate comprises at least one capacitive force sensor 23, which is shown in a schematic representation 4 can be seen and two electrodes 24 and 25 and a dielectric 26 provided between them made of an elastomeric material. The force F leads to a reduction in the distance D between the electrodes 24 and 25 with elastic deformation of the elastomeric dielectric 26. The capacitance of the force sensor 23 is therefore a measure of the force F. The elastomeric dielectric 26 gives the force sensor 23 particular robustness , so that it can withstand hits, kicks and bumps, as can occur, for example, when an operator steps on or jumps onto the plate as part of sporting activities.

The terminal 11 forms an evaluation unit, by means of which any position information can be received and the relative arrangement of the plates to one another can be determined therefrom. Furthermore, each piece of force information can be received and stored by means of the evaluation unit. In particular, the terminal 11 includes a display device 35 in the form of a screen on which an image representing the relative position of the plates to one another can be displayed.

5 shows an exploded view of the 2 apparent plate 2, which is composed of several layers, which are explained briefly below. The plate body 6 comprises a first elastomer base 27 and a second elastomer base 28, with a stiffening plate 29 being arranged between these elastomer bases 27 and 28. A circuit board unit 30 with the control unit 9 and the transmitting and receiving unit 10 is arranged on the first elastomer base 27 . Furthermore, the printed circuit board unit 30 preferably includes the tone generator 18 and the electrical contacts 22. The lighting means 16 and an elastomer collar 31 are arranged on the printed circuit board unit 30. FIG. Furthermore, the electrode 25 is seated on the elastomeric collar 31, on which the dielectric 26 is arranged, on which the electrode 24 is seated. An elastomeric cover layer 32 is arranged on the electrode 24 and comprises the actuating surface 7 .

According to a modification of the embodiment, the force detection unit 8 includes a two-dimensional sensor array 33 of capacitive force sensors 34, which is shown in a schematic representation 6 is evident. According to 6 the sensor array 33 includes sixteen force sensors, which, however, is to be understood only as an example and not as a limitation. In particular, the number of force sensors 34 can also be more or less than sixteen. However, the number of force sensors 34 is preferably at least three or at least four. Thus, in particular, a distribution of forces over the actuating surface 7 can be determined. Each of the force sensors 34 preferably comprises two electrodes and an elastomeric dielectric arranged between them, so that the structure of each force sensor 34 preferably corresponds to the structure of 4 visible force sensor 23 corresponds. The sensor array 33 can in particular replace the force sensor 23 .

Reference List

1

sports equipment

2

plate

3

plate

4

plate

5

plate

6

plate body

7

operating surface

8th

force acquisition unit

9

control unit

10

Transmitting and receiving unit

11

end device

12

Channel

13

recipient

14

antenna

15

antenna

16

bulbs

17

light-emitting device

18

tone generator

19

speaker

20

power supply unit

21

electrical energy storage

22

electrical contacts

23

force sensor

24

electrode

25

electrode

26

dielectric

27

first elastomer floor

28

second elastomer floor

29

stiffening plate

30

circuit board unit

31

elastomer collar

32

cover layer

33

sensor array

34

force sensor

35

display device

A

Distance

D

Distance

f

power

R

Direction

rr

reference direction

SF

power signal

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102010030268 A1 [0002]

Claims (11)

Sports device with several separate panels (2, 3, 4, 5), each of which has a panel body (6), at least one actuating surface (7) provided on an outside of the panel body (6) and at least one force detection unit (8 ) by means of which at least one force (F) exerted on the actuating surface (7) can be detected and at least one piece of force information (SF) characterizing this force (F) can be provided, characterized in that each plate (2, 3, 4, 5) has a control unit (9) connected to the force detection unit (8) and a transmitting and receiving unit (10) connected to the control unit (9), by means of which electromagnetic or acoustic waves can be emitted and received, so that by means of the transmitting and receiving units (10 ) data between the control units (9) of the disks (2, 3, 4, 5) and/or between the control unit (9) of at least one or each of the disks (2, 3, 4, 5) and at least e interchangeable in a terminal (11) separate from the panels. sports equipment claim 1 , characterized in that each panel (2, 3, 4, 5) has a position detection unit connected to its control unit (9), with at least one item of position information characterizing the relative position of the panels (2, 3, 4, 5) to one another being obtained by means of the position detection units can be determined. sports equipment claim 2 , characterized in that the at least one piece of position information comprises at least one piece of distance information characterizing the distance (A) from at least one of the plates to at least one other of the plates. sports equipment claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the at least one piece of position information comprises at least one piece of directional information characterizing the direction (R) from at least one of the plates to at least one other of the plates. Sports equipment according to one of claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that the position detection unit of each plate is formed by its transmitting and receiving unit (10). Sports equipment according to one of claims 2 until 5 , characterized by an evaluation unit, by means of which the at least one piece of position information can be received and the position of the plates relative to one another can be determined. sports equipment claim 6 , characterized in that the evaluation unit is formed by the terminal (11). Sports device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each plate has at least one lighting means (16) connected to its control unit (9) and forming a ring surrounding its actuating surface (7). Sports equipment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each plate (2, 3, 4, 5) has a power supply unit (20) connected to the respective control unit and having at least one electrical energy store. Sports device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force detection unit (8) of each plate (2, 3, 4, 5) comprises at least one capacitive force sensor (23) which has a dielectric (26) made of elastomeric material. Sports equipment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force detection unit (8) of each plate (2, 3, 4, 5) comprises a plurality of capacitive force sensors (34) with an elastomeric dielectric, which are arranged in the form of a two-dimensional sensor array (33). are.

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