Tennis pitching machine fairway sensing structure

By using a single microswitch for ball court sensing in the tennis ball machine, the problem of complex sensing structures in traditional tennis ball machines is solved, achieving simplified ball court detection and serve data recording, and reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.

CN223490385UActive Publication Date: 2025-10-31DONGGUAN NEON PLAY TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202422849572.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-11-22
Publication Date
2025-10-31
Estimated Expiration
2034-11-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Traditional tennis ball machines have complex sensing structures, are difficult to assemble, inconvenient to maintain, and have poor usability.

Method used

A single microswitch is used for sensing operation. The presence of a tennis ball in the fairway is determined by the triggering of the microswitch, and the number of serves and the interval time are recorded, which simplifies the sensing structure and reduces the use of electrical components.

Benefits of technology

It enables simple fairway detection and serve data recording, reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs, and facilitates assembly and repair.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The utility model discloses a tennis pitching machine fairway induction structure which comprises a support plate, a fairway is arranged outside the front face of the support plate, a groove body is formed in the fairway, an installation base is fixedly installed below the fairway, a microswitch is fixedly installed in the installation base, and a microswitch reed of the microswitch is arranged in the groove body. According to the fairway sensing structure of the tennis ball pitching machine, the most direct and single microswitch is adopted for sensing operation, so that whether a tennis ball exists in a fairway or not can be effectively determined through the microswitch, the sensing effect can be achieved through a single structure, the structure is simple, operation is convenient, and the service life is long. Therefore, excessive electrical elements are not needed for electrical conduction, the complexity of the induction structure can be effectively reduced, the structure is simple, the manufacturing cost is reduced, the single structure is more convenient to assemble, wiring at multiple positions is not needed, and maintenance and replacement can be conveniently carried out after later damage.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of tennis ball serving machine technology, specifically to a ball lane sensing structure for a tennis ball serving machine. Background Technology

[0002] A tennis ball serving machine is an automatic ball-serving machine primarily used for tennis training and practice. It uses a mechanical device to automatically launch tennis balls, helping players practice various technical movements. The basic structure of a tennis ball serving machine includes a ball-loading frame, a motor, counter-rotating wheels, and a track. The ball is pushed out by the friction of the track.

[0003] Traditional tennis ball machines are equipped with sensors in their ball-serving channels to detect the presence of a tennis ball, preventing the machine from running empty and reducing power consumption. However, traditional tennis ball machine sensors are often complex, difficult to assemble, inconvenient to repair after damage, and have poor usability. Therefore, this invention proposes a simplified ball-serving channel sensing structure for tennis ball machines. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a ball lane sensing structure for a tennis ball serving machine to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a tennis ball serving machine lane sensing structure, including a support plate, a lane is provided on the outer front of the support plate, a groove is provided on the lane, a mounting base is fixedly installed below the lane, a micro switch is fixedly installed in the mounting base, the micro switch's micro spring is placed in the groove, and a serving plate is rotatably mounted on one end of the support plate via a bearing.

[0006] Preferably, the ball-serving motors are fixedly installed on both sides of the back of the ball-serving plate by bolts.

[0007] Preferably, the output shafts of both ball-serving motors are fixedly mounted with ball-serving wheels.

[0008] Preferably, the end of the fairway is positioned between the two service wheels.

[0009] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0010] This utility model discloses a tennis ball serving machine with a ball lane sensing structure. It employs a direct and simple microswitch for sensing operation, effectively determining the presence of a tennis ball in the lane. The number of times the microswitch is triggered records the actual number of serves, and the trigger frequency determines the interval between serves. This provides multiple functions: lane detection and serve data recording. All these functions are achieved with a single structure, eliminating the need for numerous electrical components for conduction. This effectively reduces the complexity of the sensing structure, resulting in a simple structure, lower manufacturing costs, and easier assembly. The single structure also facilitates repair and replacement in case of damage. Furthermore, the single sensing structure effectively reduces maintenance costs, making it more practical. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a right-side perspective three-dimensional structural diagram of the fairway induction serving assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the back of the ball-sensing ball-serving assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the ball lane induction serving assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a top view of the left side of the ball lane induction serving assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] In the diagram: 1. Support plate; 2. Ball lane; 3. Slot; 4. Mounting base; 5. Micro switch; 6. Micro switch spring; 7. Bearing; 8. Ball serving plate; 9. Ball serving motor; 10. Ball serving wheel. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0017] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "front end," "rear end," "both ends," "one end," and "the other end," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0018] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "equipped with," and "connected," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0019] Please see Figure 1-4 An embodiment of this utility model is provided: a tennis ball serving machine ball lane sensing structure, including a support plate 1, a ball lane 2 is provided on the front exterior of the support plate 1, a groove 3 is provided on the ball lane 2, a mounting base 4 is fixedly installed below the ball lane 2, a micro switch 5 is fixedly installed in the mounting base 4, and the micro switch 5's micro spring 6 is placed in the groove 3.

[0020] The micro switch 5 is a mature, existing technology product. The following is an introduction and explanation of the micro switch 5:

[0021] A micro switch is a switch with tiny contact intervals and a quick-acting mechanism, which performs switching actions through a specified stroke and force;

[0022] It has an external drive rod and is usually used in applications that require fast and precise switching action. The working principle of a micro switch is that an external mechanical force is applied to the actuating spring. When the spring is displaced to the critical point, the moving contact and the fixed contact are quickly connected or disconnected. The characteristics of a micro switch include small contact spacing, short actuation stroke, low actuation force, and rapid switching.

[0023] When using the micro switch 5 in this utility model, please refer to the appendix of the instruction manual for details. Figure 1 As shown, the tennis ball falls into the lane 2 from above and rolls down from the top of the lane 2. During the rolling and sliding process, the tennis ball will touch the micro switch 6. The weight of the tennis ball will press down on the micro switch 6, thereby triggering the micro switch 5. The triggered micro switch 5 can determine whether there is a tennis ball in the lane 2, which has a good tennis ball sensing effect.

[0024] One end of the frame plate 1 is rotatably mounted with a serving plate 8 via a bearing 7.

[0025] In this embodiment, in order to ensure the normal ball serving operation of the ball serving machine, ball serving motors 9 are fixedly installed on both sides of the back of the ball serving plate 8 by bolts, and ball serving wheels 10 are fixedly installed on the output shafts of the two ball serving motors 9.

[0026] Furthermore, the end of fairway 2 is positioned between the two service wheels 10;

[0027] Thus, the two serving motors 9 can drive the two serving wheels 10 to rotate, so that the tennis ball in the lane 2 can be served normally through the rotation of the two serving wheels 10, ensuring normal use.

[0028] Working principle: When in use, the structural assembly of this utility model is installed in the working area of ​​the ball serving machine. The two ball serving motors 9 can drive the two ball serving wheels 10 to rotate, so that the tennis ball in the ball lane 2 can be served normally through the rotation of the two ball serving wheels 10, ensuring normal use effect.

[0029] This invention incorporates a micro switch 5. When the micro switch 5 is used, a tennis ball falls into the lane 2 from above and rolls down from the top of the lane 2. As the tennis ball rolls down, it touches the micro switch 5's micro spring 6. The weight of the tennis ball presses down on the micro spring 6, thereby triggering the micro switch 5. The triggered micro switch 5 can then determine whether there is a tennis ball in the lane 2, thus providing a good tennis ball sensing effect.

[0030] This utility model discloses a tennis ball serving machine with a ball lane sensing structure. It employs a direct and simple microswitch for sensing operation, effectively determining the presence of a tennis ball in the lane. The number of times the microswitch is triggered records the actual number of serves, and the trigger frequency determines the interval between serves. This provides both lane detection and serve data recording. All these functions are achieved with a single-unit structure, eliminating the need for numerous electrical components for conduction. This effectively reduces the complexity of the sensing structure, resulting in a simple structure, lower manufacturing costs, and easier assembly. The single-unit design eliminates the need for multiple wiring connections, facilitating repair and replacement in case of damage. The single sensing structure also significantly reduces maintenance costs, making it more practical and cost-effective.

[0031] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A ball-pass sensing structure for a tennis ball-serving machine, comprising a support plate (1), characterized in that, The support plate (1) has a ball track (2) on its front exterior. A groove (3) is provided on the ball track (2). A mounting base (4) is fixedly installed below the ball track (2). A micro switch (5) is fixedly installed inside the mounting base (4). The micro switch (5) has a micro spring (6) placed inside the groove (3). A serving plate (8) is rotatably installed at one end of the support plate (1) through a bearing (7).

2. The ball-pass sensing structure for a tennis ball-serving machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball-serving plate (8) has ball-serving motors (9) fixedly installed on both sides of its back side by bolts.

3. The ball-pass sensing structure for a tennis ball-serving machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The output shafts of both ball-serving motors (9) are fixedly mounted with ball-serving wheels (10).

4. The ball-pass sensing structure for a tennis ball-serving machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the fairway (2) is positioned between the two service wheels (10).