EP2367603B1 - Oval ball, in particular rugby ball or football having a transmitter - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an oval ball, in particular rugby or football.

For a rugby game or an "American Football" game are used oval or egg-shaped or trained as a stretched spheroid or ellipsoid balls, which usually has an inflatable bladder and surrounding the bladder carcass. Recently, more and more efforts have been made to be able to track the ball during a game in order to achieve an improved record of a game, but also possibilities for decision support in certain situations. For this purpose, the ball must be provided with a transmitter that sends signals to in the area of the field or on the edge of the field arranged receiver.

From the US 6,251,035 an oval ball with light and sound effects is known in which a light and / or noise generating element is disposed within the oval ball. In this case, the light element is arranged in the middle of a band which is attached to the thin ends of the bubble of the ball.

Based on this prior art, the present invention seeks to arrange an electronic component or module within a shell of an oval ball, wherein the electronic component is held securely in a predetermined position and wherein the forces acting on the component during the game forces kept low and the dynamic properties of a ball provided with an electronic component should not be adversely affected.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of the main claim in conjunction with the features of the preamble. All the following examples, which do not include all the features defined in claim 1, are to be regarded as examples which do not belong to the invention.

The measures specified in the dependent claims advantageous refinements and improvements are possible.

The fact that the electronic unit having a transmitter unit is firmly bonded in the region of the tips of the ball, the electronic component or module is exposed to less strong forces, since the molded part absorbs the stresses when using the ball. The inclusion of the tips is advantageous because the ball is usually hit on the long sides. there the term "area of the tips" is intended to include the two ends of the oval ball but also, in the case of an elliptical cross section of the ball, to designate the area which includes a focal point. The accommodation of the module in the region of the valve is also possible because a reinforcement is provided as a base for the valve which supports the electronic module. The molding may have cavities or honeycomb to reduce its weight.

In one embodiment, the electronic module in the center region of the ball is attached to at least two meshed power supplies free floating, which are connected in each case in the areas of the tips of the ball with the envelope over a large area cohesively.

For example, but not part of the invention, the at least one electronic component or module is positively secured and optionally materially directly in the top or the oval end and is particularly advantageous if at both tips or both ends of the oval in each case an electronic component or module is arranged with transmitting unit, since in this case, the orientation of the ball can be determined based on transmitted signals.

In one embodiment, which is not part of the invention, the component or module is inserted into a formed in the region of the tip of the shell and the molding forming approach, ie the shell is provided with a reinforcement with an impression, in which the electronic component or Module can be used with positive locking. As a result, the position of the electronic component or module in the shell is predetermined. In addition, you can Approach with impressions or receiving space and component or module are glued together.

In order to keep the weight of the additional receiving element or molded part for the electronic component or module in the casing low, the casing can also be provided in the region of the tip or in the oval region with a chamber into which the component or module is inserted can. In this case, the chamber can be formed by an additionally molded elastic or non-elastic flexible cover, which covers the component or module and which can be glued to the shell or can be connected with connecting elements with the shell.

The shell of the ball may have only a carcass-like outer shell, but it may also consist of the carcass-like outer shell and a bladder inserted therein. If the ball consists of outer shell and bladder, the at least one electronic component or module may be connected to the outer shell or to the bladder.

The electronic component or module or the components or modules may comprise transmitting units with at least one antenna element and / or sensors for detecting ball parameters, but also a microcontroller, wherein the antenna element (s) may be provided directly at the transmitter, but also separately from it can. In the latter case, it may be attached to the shell, the molding or the power supplies and be connected by electrical lines to the transmitter.

Advantageously, the electronic component or module as an electronic module essentially two-dimensional be formed and firmly connected to the shell in the tip area or the valve area (substructure). Since it is integrated flat in the ball or the shell, the dynamic properties of the ball are little influenced.

The electronic component or module may include a rechargeable battery, wherein it includes a corresponding charging circuit and it is associated with a charging loop for contactless inductive charging. In this case, the charging loop may be glued in the tip, for example, or be arranged opposite to a valve used for inflating the envelope. It can be integrated in the power supply units or attached to or in the molded part.

In a similar manner as the charging loop, a programming loop can be provided, via which the electronic module or the charging circuit or the microcomputer can likewise be programmed inductively. Charge loop and programming loop can be combined in a loop that performs both functions.

It is particularly advantageous if two electronic components or modules are provided in the tip regions, which compensate each other, so that the ball is balanced.

If an electronic module having a transmitter is arranged in each of the two tip regions, these can advantageously be used for locating and detecting the orientation of the ball in a corresponding tracking system.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Schnitt durch einen erfindungsgemäßen Ball nach einem ersten und zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 2

einen schematischen Schnitt durch einen Ball nach einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 3

einen Teilschnitt durch einen Ball analog zum ersten Ausführungsbeispiel, und

Fig. 4

einen schematischen Schnitt durch einen Ball nach einem vierten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Ansicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Ball, bei dem die Anordnung des elektronischen Moduls etwas genauer ausgeführt ist und jeweils in beiden Spitzen entsprechend dem ersten oder zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel ein elektronisches Modul oder Bauteil vorgesehen sind,

Fig. 6

eine Schnittansicht eines fünften Ausführungsbeispiels, bei dem das elektronische Modul oder Bauteil auf dem Unterbau des Ventils angeordnet ist (Fig. 6a) und eine Aufsicht darauf (Fig. 6b),

Fig. 7

eine Ansicht im Schnitt auf ein erfindungsgemäßes Beispiel bei dem das Elektronikmodul an Netzen im Inneren des Balles aufgehängt ist.

Embodiments of the invention are in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic section through a ball according to the invention according to a first and second embodiment,

Fig. 2

a schematic section through a ball according to a third embodiment,

Fig. 3

a partial section through a ball analogous to the first embodiment, and

Fig. 4

a schematic section through a ball according to a fourth embodiment,

Fig. 5

a schematic view of a ball according to the invention, in which the arrangement of the electronic module is carried out somewhat more precisely and in each case an electronic module or component are provided in both peaks according to the first or second embodiment,

Fig. 6

5 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment, in which the electronic module or component is arranged on the base of the valve ( Fig. 6a ) and a supervision ( Fig. 6b )

Fig. 7

a view in section of an inventive example in which the electronic module is suspended from nets in the interior of the ball.

In Fig. 1 is a rugby ball or football, ie a ball shown with an oval shape, with balls predominantly of a carcass-like outer shell 2 and an inflatable bladder 3 (see Fig. 3 ) consist. The ball 1 with sheath 4, in the exemplary embodiment, an electronic module 4, wherein in Fig. 1 two different ways of recording are shown. In Fig. 1 on the left side, the sheath 4 is provided with a projection 5 or a reinforcement as a molded part, which has a recess or a cavity for the positionally correct recording of an electronic module 6. This is also in Fig. 3 to recognize. The electronic module 6 can be clipped in a form-fitting manner, wherein latching connections can be provided which hold the electronic module and engage behind. Another possibility is that the electronics module 6 is glued into the approach 5 or the reinforcement.

In Fig. 1 on the right another possibility of receiving an electronic module 6 is shown in the shell 4, in which case a chamber 7 is formed in the shell, which is completed by an additional skin 8 or a cloth as a cover, and placed over the electronic module and is connected to the shell, for example by gluing. Basically, as already stated, the shell 4 may be the carcass-like outer shell 2 or the bladder 3. Overall, in this embodiment, after Fig. 1 the end pieces of the bladder or carcass are stable or solid or elastic plastic parts as molded parts can be glued to the carcass or to the bladder.

In the embodiments of the ball with carcass and bladder, the bladder presses in the inflated state against the mold or parts or against the electronic module, thereby providing further stability.

Particularly stable mechanical connections can be achieved if the inner seams of the ball carcass are used.

Of course, also for the arrangement Fig. 1 on the left side in addition to this arrangement cross-flexible element, similar to the completion of the chamber 7 may be provided, which is glued to the shell 4.

In another embodiment, the electronic component or module 6 may be glued directly to the shell 4 in the respective oval end regions.

In Fig. 3 a carcass-like outer shell 2 is shown with an inner bladder 3, wherein the electronic module 6 as in Fig. 1 is received positively in the reinforcement 5 and the approach. In this figure, it is shown that the bladder 3 itself contributes to pressing the electronic module 6 against the reinforcement 5.

In Fig. 2 two electronic modules 6 are suspended from bands 9 which are connected to the shell 4, wherein the band 10, which extends between the two tips, which may optionally be provided with a reinforcement 11, are reinforced. In the illustrated embodiment, the two electronic modules 6 are arranged approximately in the respective focal point of the ellipse, which is formed by a longitudinal section through the ball. The anchor points of the bands 9, which are elastic or flexible can, for example, be reinforced by adhesive dots.

Fig. 4 shows a further example in which the respective electronic module 6 is formed as a two-dimensional structure on a preferably flexible conductor foil, which is integrated flat in the shell 4, for example, by gluing is connected thereto. Furthermore, in Fig. 4 a charging loop 12 is schematically shown, which is connected to a charging circuit, not shown, and which is arranged, for example, with respect to a through a valve 13 unbalanced ball, so that the ball is balanced. Alternatively, the charge loop can be placed in one of the tips of the ball.

As will be described later ( Fig. 6 ) An application of the two-dimensional electronic module 6 on the base of the valve is possible.

In the above and following embodiments, a programming loop may be provided in addition to or instead of the charging loop or in a loop as a functional unit, can be programmed by the electronic module 6 via inductive coupling. In this way, the loading and programming station for the module can be carried out like a rugby usual ball stand, which holds the ball upright and serves to shoot the ball by knocking with his foot can.

In one embodiment, not shown, chambered bubbles may be considered, with air-permeable connections between chambers to provide pressure equalization. Furthermore, an embodiment not shown be provided several bladder elements, for example, four. On the inner surfaces of the electronic module is then attached, optionally applied suitable mechanical structures on the bubble surfaces.

The weight created by the electronics module and the suspension may be taken into account for balancing the ball at an appropriate location by an additional weight or balance weight, however, if a predetermined weight of the ball is predetermined, the additional weight created by the electronic module and the suspension may have to be exceeded Savings of weight elsewhere in the ball can be compensated.

The electronic module 6 can also be designed so that it is not formed as a part, but functional units can be separated, for example, into different components or modules. It can e.g. the electronics and the battery are separated in order to better distribute two smaller masses. In this case, one component or module would ever be arranged in the respective tips. Furthermore, antenna structures can be made flat and e.g. Starting from the tips are applied to the shell. Optionally, better radiation characteristics can be achieved with such much larger antennas.

The integrated electronics module can be designed and used for a variety of functionalities, for example, a module in the ball can serve to locate the ball, while two electronic modules with corresponding transmission characteristics for localization and in addition to obtaining information on the orientation of the Balles are used. Finally, a module for sensor data, such as ball air pressure, acceleration, temperature, etc., can be provided.

In Fig. 5 is an example of the arrangement according to Fig.1 shown in more detail. The electronic module 20, which may correspond to the electronics module 6 of the preceding examples and which has a transmitting unit 21 and a rechargeable battery 22 with a corresponding charging circuit, which are arranged on a circuit carrier, is inserted into a molded part 23. The module itself is relatively light, which means that it is a few tens of grams. The molded part 23 is provided with further cavities adjacent to the space for receiving the module 20 in order to save weight and to form a "crumple zone". For example, the molded part 23, which is preferably made of an elastic or bendable plastic, has a honeycomb structure. It is connected before or after insertion of the module with the shell 4 of the ball 1 in the region of its tips, for example by gluing, or snap and clip connections, its outer shape or the housing of the module can be adapted to the molding 23. The molded part 23 itself can also be the housing at the same time, so that the molded part together with the transmitter is inserted into the sleeve.

In the molded part and a charging or programming loop 24 is used, which, as described above, for charging the accumulator 22 and optionally for programming. The loop 24 can be incorporated in the production of the molding 23 equal to it or out on the outside of the molding. Typical dimensions of the loop are 3 to 5 cm in diameter and it usually has several turns. These can for example be designed as a strand become. Furthermore, antenna elements 25 connected to the transmitter 21 are provided as four dipole antenna paddles, eg designed for 2.4 GHz, which are fastened on one side by the molded part 23 and with the remaining part they are freely movable so that they may be attached to the Inner surface of the shell 4 can slide and compensate for deformations thereof. For example, the antenna elements can be made of a flexible printed circuit board piece which is flexibly connected to the molded part 23.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 5 1 electronic modules 20 are arranged axially symmetrically in both peaks of the ball, so that with the information of the two transmitters 21 in addition to the location of the ball 1, the orientation of the main axis can be determined. However, it may also be provided only one electronic module 20 in the one tip and a counterweight in the other tip.

Another embodiment of the ball 1 with electronic module 30, which may have the components already described above, is in Fig. 6 shown. In this case, the electronic module 30 with annular, optionally flexible printed circuit board 36 and arranged thereon flat locating transmitter 31 and accumulator 32 is mounted on a molded part, which here is the base 33 of a valve 37 for inflating the shell 4. Also, an annular conductor and / or loop 34 is provided, which may be applied as a conductor on the circuit board 36 or wire or tape-shaped on the base 33. Dipole antenna elements 35 are similar to the previous embodiment, one-sided attached to the base 33 and otherwise free to move. In Fig. 6a is the schematic view of the area around the valve 37 shown in section while in Fig. 6b the supervision is shown.

In Fig. 7 an inventive example is shown, in which the electronic module 40 is disposed in the operating state of the ball 1, ie in its nominal form in its center. The electronic module 40 is here by two networks or power supplies 41, 42, for example, plastic, such as polymeric plastics, such as aromatic polyamides, held, which is provided with mesh, as indicated in the Fig. By the crossed hatching. The respective power supply 41, 42 is connected in the area of the tips of the ball 1 with the shell 4 area. In the exemplary embodiment, the ball of the carcass 2 and the bladder 3 and in the attachment areas of the power supplies 41, 42 is provided in each case a further layer 43 of the material of the bladder 3, which is connected to the bladder, wherein the respective power supply 41, 42 between the further layer 43 and the bladder 3 is fixed in the tip region of the ball 1. The connection of the two layers 43 and 3 is done by gluing, laminating, welding, vulcanizing or the like. The electronics module 40 is attached to the free, non-fixed portions of the power supplies 41, 42 so that when the bladder 3 is inflated to its operating condition, the module 40 is located in the center of the ball. For this purpose, the power supplies 41, 42 are sized so that they meet in the tensioned state approximately in the middle. This can be seen in the figure, wherein Fig. 7a the overall ball shows while Fig. 7b is a slightly enlarged section. In one embodiment, the housing of the electronic module may be made of a composite material that includes the network. It can then use an electronics module Made nets, which were then connected in the manner described with the bladder. Another possibility is to produce the networks, each with a housing half, which are then welded together, for example by ultrasound.

If the electronic module 40 comprises a battery and / or microcomputer, at least one loading and / or programming loop 44, in the case shown two, are provided, which are woven with the stitches or are threaded into the stitches. Necessary electrical connection lines 45 and HF-stranded wire are also incorporated in the mesh. The same applies to the antenna elements.

The material of the power supply or its elasticity properties are chosen so that the module 40 remains securely in the center of the ball while balancing the movements of the ball.

In the above description, different embodiments are explained with reference to optionally different features. Although they are applicable to others, they were not repeated for each example. Therefore, the description of individual features with respect to an embodiment is not intended to represent a limitation of the feature to this embodiment only.

Claims (9)

1. An oval ball, in particular rugby ball or football, with a casing and with at least one electronic module which is arranged within the casing and is held at a predefined position, said module comprising at least one transmitter,
   characterized in that
   the electronic module (40) is fastened in a freely suspended manner in the middle region of the ball on at least two net parts (41, 42) which are provided with meshes and which are connected in a large-surfaced manner with a material fit to the casing (4) in the regions of the tips of the ball, respectively.
2. A ball according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the net parts (41, 42) are bonded, laminated-in, welded or vulcanised, in the region of the tip or the tips.
3. A ball according to one of the claims 1 to 2,
   characterized in that
   the casing is a carcass-like outer casing (2) and/or a bladder (3).
4. A ball according to one of the claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   the net parts (41, 42) are laminated-in in the region of the tips between the bladder and a layer (43), preferably of the material of the bladder.
5. A ball according to one of the claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   electrical leads and/or at least one charging loop and/or at least one antenna element is worked into, preferably woven into the net parts (41, 42).
6. A ball according to one of the claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that
   the net parts are firmly connected to a housing part of the electronics module, respectively.
7. A ball according to one of the claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that
   the electronic module is an electronics module which is designed equipped with sensors for detecting ball parameters and is suitable to serve for localising the ball on a playing field.
8. A ball according to one of the claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that
   a programming loop for the contactless inductive programming, which is preferably likewise a charging loop, is assigned to the electronics module.
9. A ball according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   two electronics modules are provided, which serve for localising and detecting the orientation of the ball.

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