WO2004058364A1

WO2004058364A1 - Evaluation device and vibration damper for a racket

Info

Publication number: WO2004058364A1
Application number: PCT/CH2002/000726
Authority: WO
Inventors: Friedrich Beer
Original assignee: Friedrich Beer
Priority date: 2002-12-27
Filing date: 2002-12-27
Publication date: 2004-07-15
Also published as: AU2002350367A1; EP1613403A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibration body (3), which is clamped between strings (21, 22) in the lower region of the racket stringing (2), said body consisting of rubber, plastic or a similar material. A microelectronic system is integrated into the vibration body (3). The microelectronic system is configured in such a way that the number of ball strikes, their force, direction of impetus and trajectory can be recorded, measured, counted and output during a match or training session. To achieve this, the system comprises at least one sensor (36) that acts as an acceleration sensor and an evaluation unit. The vibration body (3) is also equipped with a small LCD display (34), on which the recorded values can be called up and from which the evaluations can be read. For example, the energy expended by the player in kilojoules, or the average striking force, which produces a measurement of the aggressiveness and strength of the player, can be displayed.

Description

EVALUATION DEVICE AND VIBRATION STEAMER FOR BALLSHOP

The invention relates to a vibration damper for stringed ball rackets for tennis, squash, badminton racket ball and similar sports according to the preamble of the independent claim.

Many tennis players use vibration dampers in the racket. They are primarily used to dampen the "singing" of the strings of the net after a ball has impacted. This "singing" can be so loud that it irritates players and spectators. In some rackets, vibration-damping elements are built into the frame of the racket. However, these are primarily shock-absorbing and less sound-absorbing. Damper elements made of rubber, plastic and similar materials are therefore often placed directly on the net in the lower area of the face. ^* They are simply clamped between the strings. They significantly dampen the audible sound when the ball is hit. The mass of the damper lowers the free oscillation frequency and the high frequencies are suppressed. The sound to be heard becomes dull and the unpleasant singing and rattling disappear. Such a vibration damper consists, for example, of two flat elements which are connected to one another. The vibration damper is inserted into the network at the desired location. For example, a vibration damper is inserted through a square opening in the net. At least two strings are now partially covered and pinched by the vibration damper. The damper is in the use position.

These known vibration dampers have no other function apart from the change in sound described.

Victory is the goal in pure competitive sports. If you could measure the strength and direction of the impact of the ball, you could help a competitor optimize their stroke type. In popular sports, on the other hand, fitness is the main focus. But those who practice fitness would like to know what they have done after a training session to get information about their shape. Attempts have already been made in this direction. From DE 40 07 549 a tennis racket with a stroke counting device is known. In the handle of the tennis racket there is a movable ball, which acts against a spring by your centrifugal force and mechanically actuates a counter switch when you snap back. A table tennis racket is known from US 2002/0068652, which has a stroke counting device in the handle. It works by acoustically detecting the impact of a ball. US 6,409,616 shows a tennis racket which has a calorie counter in the handle. The number of swing movements of the racket is paid and the force of the turns is estimated. The calorie consumption is calculated from this. From BE 1011942 a method for analyzing the strokes of a tennis player is known, which works with acceleration sensors. The sensors and the associated electronic elements are also arranged at the transition from the handle to the frame of the racket.

All of the tennis rackets mentioned have the considerable disadvantage that all measuring and operating elements are accommodated in the handle. The placement of devices in the handle of a tennis racket requires recesses and perforations in the handle and / or in the frame of the racket. As a result, the racket is mechanically weakened at least in the area of the transition from the handle to the net frame and the risk of breakage is significantly increased.

The object of the invention is to provide a vibration damper which fulfills further functions and offers the player additional possibilities. Any weakening of the racket should be avoided.

This object is achieved by the features of the invention specified in the patent claims.

An additional advantage of the invention is that one can even record the physical performance of the player during a training session or match and read it off in desired units such as kilojoules, kilocalories, watts and so on. This means that tennis can also be used as a pure fitness sport. Another advantage of the invention is that you can even transmit the power of a tennis player on a large display on the edge of the field during a match. This can make sport more attractive in tournaments of tennis stars.

The invention has a further advantage in that the "intelligent" vibration damper can be used independently of the racket construction, the type of manufacture and the manufacturer's brand. It can also be used with any existing racket without any intervention on the handle or frame of the racket. The invention is described below in connection with the drawings. Show it:

1 shows a vibration damper arranged in the network;

Figure 1a: Evaluation unit integrated in a bracelet;

Figure 2 shows a vibration damper in cross section;

Figure 3: another embodiment in cross section; and

Figure 4 is a block diagram of an evaluation unit.

Most tennis players use one of the vibration dampers mentioned, which are clamped in the lower region into the net between the strings 21, 22, as shown in FIG. They are made of rubber, plastic or similar material and have a small mass between about 3 and 25 grams. In order for these vibration dampers to be effective, they have to have a certain size in addition to their weight. The method of attachment and the number of directly recorded strings can be chosen freely, since no special preconditions need to be met.

The new vibration damper 3 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 now uses these properties of weight and size by integrating microelectronics. The microelectronics are designed so that the number of ball strikes, their strength, pulse direction and cadence can be recorded, measured, counted and output during a match or training. For this purpose, it comprises at least one acceleration sensor 36 and an electronic circuit 35. For this purpose, a small display 34, LCD or the like can also be present on the vibration damper 3. Here the registered values can be called up and the evaluations can be displayed. For example, the energy spent by the player in kilojoules or the average impact strength, which gives a measure of the aggressiveness and strength of the player, can be displayed. With a button 38 next to the display 34 or on the underside of the fighter body 3, you can scroll through the various possible display values. The vibration damper in this embodiment is made in one piece from a suitable damper material. The vibration damper 3 for the racket 1 is inserted into the net 2 of the racket 1. It is pressed or screwed into the net. It can also be hooked so that it can be hooked into the network. In an elongated, beaded design, it can also be woven into a net. The damper body 3 of the vibration damper can in principle be attached anywhere on the network as long as it is mechanically connected to at least one string.

In a further developed embodiment, the vibration damper 3 is provided with a transmitter 39 which transmits the measurement data to a receiving station outside the racket. This receiver can be built into a bracelet 4, a watch or a piece of jewelry, as shown in FIG. 1a. The evaluation unit with microprocessor and display 44 is then in this bracelet.

In another embodiment, the receiver is designed as an additional device for a computer, which is then used as an evaluation unit. It can then be set up outside the field. The measured data can be continuously transmitted online to the trainer. It also shows values for the spectators of a match directly on a large display.

In the version with the transmitter 39, the display 34 built into the vibration damper 3 can be dispensed with, because the data can be transmitted wirelessly to a separate evaluation unit or a display during or after the training or match by radio or infrared interface or by means of a plug-in cable connection. In another embodiment according to FIG. 3, the vibration damper 3 consists of a flat lower part 32 and a flat upper part 31, the flat lower part 32 and the flat upper part 31 being connected to one another. Upper part 31 and lower part 32 can also be in one piece. The areal dimension is such that the vibration damper can be inserted between two adjacent parallel strings 21, 22 of the network, where it is held in a clamped manner. It is provided with a sensor 36 for measuring accelerations. The sensor 36 measures accelerations at least in the direction z perpendicular to the surface of the network 2. It can be designed such that it also records and uses accelerations in the plane of the network in the x and y directions. It can be useful to install three different sensors 36 as accelerometers for this purpose. Piezoelectric sensors are particularly suitable. Alternatives are also inductive, capacitive or magnetostrictive accelerometers.

An electronic circuit 35 with a microprocessor 352 according to the block diagram of FIG. 4 is accommodated in the vibration damper 3. The measurement signals are fed from at least one acceleration sensor 36 to the microprocessor 352 via an A-D converter 361. The microprocessor 352 is designed with a data memory 351 for storing rows of measured values and measurement data and / or metadata necessary for processing. The microprocessor 352 controls the LCD display 34. The evaluation circuit is supplied with electrical energy by an energy store 37. The microprocessor forwards the measured values via a second converter 362 to a transmitter 39, which operates an interface 391 for external evaluation.

The electronic circuit 35 and / or the evaluation circuit controls the display 34 or an external display for optically reading measurement data or the desired values calculated from the measurement data. To select the displayed values, a push button 38 or a selector switch can be arranged on the vibration damper. The output can also be audio-visual with known display options.

In another variant, the measured values on the display 34 are read by a scanner after the game, so that they then continue on a computer can be evaluated. On the basis of such data, a trainer can have a new influence on the player's striking technique.

Instead of or in addition to the display 34, a connection for a computer can be present. The connection is made by means of a plug-in cable or by means of a wireless transmission such as the known infrared or radio transmission elements. In this way, individual measured values or a sequence of measured values can be read out on an independent device and the evaluation is then carried out in a computer.

For this purpose, a corresponding transmitter 39 is accommodated in the vibration damper 3. With the transmitter 39 in it, the data is transmitted wirelessly from the microprocessor 352 to a suitable receiver. The receiver can, for example, be outside the playing field and enable a wide variety of evaluations, representations and statistics by means of computers. The data from the transmitter 39 are transmitted continuously or in pulsed form to the receiver via the interface 391. This can also be done during or after a training session or match on call.

Sensors 36, electronic circuit 35, microprocessor 352, memory 351, transmitter / transmitter 39 and display 34 are fed by an energy store 37. The energy store can be a battery or a capacitor. It is possible to convert the impact energy of the impacting ball directly into electrical energy which is fed to the energy store. In this way, a battery as such can be dispensed with. For example, a piezo element or the like is suitable for this. With a suitable design, the sensor 36 itself can be used in addition to the measuring function for converting the impact energy into electrical energy. This is then fed to the energy store 37. The arrangement of a small photovoltaic cell on one of the outer surfaces of the vibration damper is also suitable.

In addition, the vibration damper can be equipped with other functions. Additional sensors enable external framework conditions to be recorded. For example, its air temperature, humidity, brightness (sunlight) and so on, which can have an impact on the well-being of the player during a game. It will also be possible to record other data relevant to the game, as well as certain string parameters to measure continuously, such as the string tension of the network.

Claims

claims

1. vibration damper for stringed ball rackets (1), for tennis, squash, badminton, racket ball and similar sports, with a damper body (3) for insertion into the net (2) of the racket (1), characterized in that the damper body (3 ) is provided with at least one sensor (36) for measuring accelerations at least in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the network (2) and with an electronic circuit (35) with a microprocessor (352).

2. Vibration damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (36) is designed for measuring accelerations in the plane of the network (2).

3. Vibration damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the damper body (3) is provided with a display (34) for the optical reading of measurement data or of values calculated from the measurement data.

4. Vibration damper according to claim 3, characterized in that the damper body (3) is provided with an operating switch (38) for selecting the measurement unit desired on the display (34).

5. Vibration damper according to claim 1, characterized in that on the damper body (3) there is a connection (33) for a computer with which individual measured values or a series of measured values can be read out, an evaluation then taking place in the computer.

6. Vibration damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the damper body (3) has a transmitter (39) for wireless transmission of the measured values to a receiver, the measured data then being evaluated in a computer.

7. Vibration damper according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an energy store (37) for supplying the sensors and / or the microprocessor (35) and / or the transmitter (39) is provided in the damper body (3).

8. Vibration damper according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the supply of the sensors (36), the electronic circuit (35) and / or the transmitter (39) is carried out by an element which the impact energy of the network (2 ) convert impacting balls into electrical energy.

9. Vibration damper according to claim 7, characterized in that the energy store (37) is a battery or a capacitor.

10. Vibration damper according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the damper body (3) is provided with a photovoltaic module.

11. Vibration damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the damper body consists of a lower part (32) and an upper part (31) which are connected to one another, so that at least two adjacent parallel strings (21, 22) of the network (2) between Lower part (32) and upper part (31) are held in a clamped manner.

12. Vibration damper according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the damper body has sensors for measuring external framework conditions