A ball-launching machine and curtain testing device

Abstract

This utility model relates to a ball-serving machine screen testing device. The ball-serving machine includes a frame, a ball-serving mechanism mounted on the frame, a ball-storing mechanism, and a ball-delivering mechanism disposed between the ball-serving mechanism and the ball-storing mechanism. The ball-serving mechanism includes a ball-inlet, the ball-storing mechanism includes a ball-outlet, and the ball-delivering mechanism includes a connecting channel connecting the ball-inlet and the ball-outlet. The connecting channel includes a ball-delivering position and a temporary storage position communicating with the ball-outlet. The ball-delivering position is equipped with a hitting unit and a counter for recording the number of hits. The hitting unit is used to hit and deliver the ball located at the ball-delivering position into the ball-inlet. The ball-serving machine and screen testing device designed in this utility model can continuously serve balls and record the number of serves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ball-serving device technology, and in particular to a ball-serving machine and a curtain testing device. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, golf has become increasingly popular worldwide, with a growing number of participants in both professional tournaments and casual leisure activities. As demand for golf increases, indoor golf simulators have also developed rapidly. Indoor golf simulators use computer simulation technology to model a real outdoor golf course into a software system, projecting the data onto a screen. Golfers swing and hit the ball indoors, while sensors collect the ball's flight data and display its actual trajectory on the screen, allowing golfers to experience the sport without weather or course limitations. The screen is a crucial component of indoor golf simulators. During practice swings, golf balls frequently hit the screen. Most existing screens are made of textiles, which deform and become unusable after repeated impacts from golf balls. Due to a lack of effective lifespan testing methods, manufacturers struggle to accurately assess the screen's durability in real-world use, hindering targeted product quality improvements. Therefore, a simple and reliable ball-launching machine is urgently needed, capable of continuously launching and recording the number of shots to test the screen's impact resistance. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, the purpose of this invention is to design a ball-serving machine and a screen testing device that can continuously serve balls and record the number of serves.

[0004] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] Design a ball-serving machine, including a frame, a ball-serving mechanism and a ball-storing mechanism mounted on the frame, and a ball-delivering mechanism disposed between the ball-serving mechanism and the ball-storing mechanism. The ball-serving mechanism includes a ball-inlet, the ball-storing mechanism includes a ball-outlet, and the ball-delivering mechanism includes a connecting channel connecting the ball-inlet and the ball-outlet. The connecting channel includes a ball-delivering position and a temporary storage position communicating with the ball-outlet. The ball-delivering position is provided with a hitting unit and a counter for recording the number of hits. The hitting unit is used to hit the ball located at the ball-delivering position and send it into the ball-inlet.

[0006] This design for a golf ball tee machine utilizes a three-tiered compartmentalized system, forming a modular layout of a ball storage mechanism (capacity compartment), a ball delivery mechanism (transmission channel), and a teeing mechanism (power compartment). The temporary storage position and the ball delivery position implement a "pre-storage-ready-to-tee" dual-state buffer mechanism, creating a continuous teeing system. Specifically, the ball storage mechanism stores golf balls to be fired. These balls roll through the ball outlet into the temporary storage position in the connecting channel. The striking unit then strikes the ball from the delivery position into the ball inlet. The ball in the temporary storage position then rolls to the delivery position, and the ball entering the teeing mechanism through the ball inlet is launched by the teeing mechanism, creating a continuous ball replenishment-delivery-teeing action, improving teeing efficiency. A counter is used to accumulate and record the number of strikes, representing the number of tee shots. Through this design, this golf ball tee machine can achieve efficient and continuous golf ball firing and can record the number of tee shots for analysis.

[0007] Furthermore, the hitting unit includes a mounting plate, a hitting plate rotatably mounted on the mounting plate, and a jet nozzle located beside the hitting plate. The hitting plate faces the ball inlet, and the jet nozzle sprays a high-speed airflow to strike the hitting plate, causing the hitting plate to rotate and propel the ball.

[0008] The striking unit employs a design that combines jet drive with mechanical striking. The jet nozzle is connected to an external high-pressure air source. After the golf ball reaches its destination, the jet nozzle ejects a high-speed airflow that acts on the striking plate. The striking plate rotates, propelling the golf ball along the connecting channel into the ball's inlet of the teeing mechanism. Compared to servo motor drive, the jet drive method meets the demands of high-intensity continuous striking, and offers faster response and higher efficiency.

[0009] Furthermore, a stop is provided on the side of the striking plate opposite to the ball inlet, and the air nozzle is disposed on the stop.

[0010] The stop is used to position the hitting plate and limit its reciprocating swing. After the hitting plate rotates and delivers the golf ball, it rotates back to contact the stop, preventing the hitting plate from swinging back and forth at the delivery position, thus allowing the golf ball in the storage position to roll smoothly to the delivery position. At the same time, the stop is designed as a hollow short tubular component, and the air nozzle is fixed to the stop by a sheet metal part. The air nozzle is directly facing the hollow part of the stop so that the high-speed airflow acts on the hitting plate.

[0011] Furthermore, the ball delivery position is equipped with a sensor.

[0012] By setting sensors to detect whether there is a golf ball at the ball delivery position, when a ball is detected, a signal is sent to the controller to control the jet nozzle to spray high-speed airflow to make the hitting board rotate and propel the golf ball.

[0013] Furthermore, the connecting channel is provided with a top plate at the portion connecting to the ball opening.

[0014] A top plate is installed in the connecting channel near the ball-handling mechanism's inlet to prevent the golf ball from flying out of the connecting channel during movement, so that the striking unit can smoothly deliver the golf ball into the ball-handling mechanism's inlet.

[0015] Furthermore, the serving mechanism includes a serving tube, two serving wheels located on both sides of the serving tube, and a drive unit that drives the two serving wheels to rotate synchronously and in opposite directions. One end of the serving tube is the ball inlet, and the other end is the launch outlet. The serving tube has a notch on the side wall opposite to the two serving wheels, and a portion of the outer periphery of the two serving wheels passes through the corresponding notch to extend into the serving tube.

[0016] The ball-serving mechanism features a symmetrical structure with two ball-serving wheels rotating synchronously in opposite directions. This design offers significant advantages in mechanical performance and adaptability to various scenarios. The synchronous, counter-rotating wheels create a symmetrical clamping force field, which can counteract torque deviations caused by friction on one side. The notch design increases the contact area between the wheel and the ball, and combined with the guiding effect of the tube wall, reduces launch direction deviation. The rolling friction-dominated drive mechanism, generated by the counter-rotating wheels, reduces energy loss compared to traditional pneumatic injection systems. The drive unit supports speed control, allowing adjustment of the launch speed by regulating the rotational speed of the ball-serving wheels.

[0017] Furthermore, the ball storage mechanism is an inclined ball storage tube.

[0018] The ball storage tube can be a hollow round tube with an inclination of 15°-25°. The golf ball forms a single-row laminar flow under the action of gravity. By relying on gravity for feeding, the feeding method of the motor-driven component of the traditional ball storage mechanism is eliminated. It is not only stable and reliable, but also simple in structure and low in cost.

[0019] Design a screen testing device, including the aforementioned ball-launching machine and a screen placed in front of the ball-launching machine.

[0020] This solution also includes a screen testing device. The screen is continuously struck by golf balls fired from a golf machine to test its impact resistance lifespan. The screen is installed in front of the golf machine in its intended use position. The machine continuously fires golf balls, and a counter records the number of shots. When the screen reaches the point of damage and replacement, the number of shots recorded by the counter represents the screen's impact resistance lifespan. This screen testing device automates, increases efficiency, and ensures safety in the testing process, significantly shortens the experimental cycle, and allows for thousands of repeated impacts without manual intervention.

[0021] Furthermore, a ball-collecting unit is provided between the screen and the ball-launching machine for collecting the balls.

[0022] The collection unit is a tilted funnel-shaped collection box, with the end closer to the screen higher than the end further away from the screen. It can automatically collect golf balls hit on the screen, reducing loss, damage, and manual ball retrieval costs.

[0023] Furthermore, the collecting unit includes a ball collecting port, the height of which is higher than that of the ball storage mechanism, and a connecting pipe is provided between the ball collecting port and the ball storage mechanism.

[0024] The collection unit achieves high efficiency, reliability, and energy saving in ball recovery through the coordinated design of a high-positioned ball collection port and a connecting pipe. The ball collection port is higher than the ball storage mechanism, utilizing gravitational potential energy to automatically slide the ball into the connecting pipe without the need for an additional power unit. The connecting pipe replaces traditional conveyor belts or robotic arms, reducing moving parts (such as bearings and gears) and lowering failure rates and maintenance costs. The pipe can be made of low-cost, lightweight materials, such as PVC pipe, and requires no load-bearing structural reinforcement, further reducing manufacturing costs.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0026] This design for a golf ball tee machine utilizes a three-tiered compartmentalized system, forming a modular layout of a ball storage mechanism (capacity compartment), a ball delivery mechanism (transmission channel), and a teeing mechanism (power compartment). The temporary storage position and the ball delivery position implement a "pre-storage-ready-to-tee" dual-state buffer mechanism, creating a continuous teeing system. Specifically, the ball storage mechanism stores golf balls to be fired. These balls roll through the ball outlet into the temporary storage position in the connecting channel. The striking unit then strikes the ball from the delivery position into the ball inlet. The ball in the temporary storage position then rolls to the delivery position, and the ball entering the teeing mechanism through the ball inlet is launched by the teeing mechanism, creating a continuous ball replenishment-delivery-teeing action, improving teeing efficiency. A counter is used to accumulate and record the number of strikes, representing the number of tee shots. Through this design, this golf ball tee machine can achieve efficient and continuous golf ball firing and can record the number of tee shots for analysis. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a ball-serving machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a top view of a ball-serving machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A magnified view of A in the middle.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a curtain testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Illustrations: 1. Frame; 2. Ball serving mechanism; 21. Ball serving tube; 22. Ball serving wheel; 23. Drive unit; 211. Ball inlet; 212. Launch port; 213. Notch; 3. Ball storage mechanism; 31. Ball outlet; 4. Ball delivery mechanism; 41. Connecting channel; 411. Ball delivery position; 412. Temporary storage position; 413. Top plate; 42. Hitting unit; 421. Mounting plate; 422. Hitting plate; 423. Air nozzle; 424. Stop; 5. Curtain; 6. Collection unit; 61. Ball collection port; 62. Connecting pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To facilitate understanding of this invention, a more comprehensive description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. However, this invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Example 1:

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a ball-launching machine, including a frame 1, a ball-launching mechanism 2 mounted on the frame 1, a ball-storing mechanism 3, and a ball-feeding mechanism 4 disposed between the ball-launching mechanism 2 and the ball-storing mechanism 3. The frame 1 includes a frame body and a table mounted on the frame body. The table body can be designed as a fixed form, height adjustable, or angle adjustable according to actual usage. The ball-launching machine can be used to launch various types of balls, such as golf balls, table tennis balls, soccer balls, etc. This embodiment takes launching a golf ball as an example for detailed description.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the serving mechanism 2 includes a serving tube 21, two serving wheels 22 located on both sides of the serving tube 21, and a drive unit 23 that drives the two serving wheels 22 to rotate synchronously and in opposite directions. One end of the serving tube 21 is a ball inlet 211, and the other end is a launch outlet 212. The side wall of the serving tube 21 opposite the two serving wheels 22 has a notch 213. Parts of the outer periphery of the two serving wheels 22 pass through the corresponding notch 213 to extend into the serving tube 21, forming a serving position between the outer peripheries of the two serving wheels 22. After the golf ball enters the serving position through the ball inlet 211, it is launched by the action of the serving wheels 22. The drive unit 23 is a drive motor, which is fixed on the mounting platform of the frame 1. The serving wheels 22 are connected to the drive motor by a belt. The ball-serving mechanism 2 features a symmetrical structure with two ball-serving wheels 22 rotating synchronously in opposite directions. This design offers significant advantages in mechanical performance and adaptability to various scenarios. The synchronous counter-rotation of the two ball-serving wheels 22 creates a symmetrical clamping force field, which can counteract torque deviations caused by friction on one side. The notch 213 design increases the contact area between the wheel and the ball, and, combined with the guiding effect of the tube wall, reduces launch direction deviation. The rolling friction-dominated drive method generated by the counter-rotating wheels reduces energy loss compared to traditional pneumatic injection schemes. The drive unit 23 supports speed control, allowing adjustment of the launch speed by regulating the rotational speed of the ball-serving wheels 22.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the ball storage mechanism 3 is an inclined ball storage tube. The ball storage tube can be a hollow round tube with an inclination of 15°-25°. The golf ball forms a single-row laminar flow under the action of gravity. By relying on gravity for feeding, the feeding method of the motor drive component of the traditional ball storage mechanism 3 is eliminated. It is not only stable and reliable, but also simple in structure and low in cost.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, the ball delivery mechanism 4 includes a connecting channel 41 that connects the ball inlet 211 of the ball delivery mechanism 2 and the ball outlet 31 of the ball storage mechanism 3. The connecting channel 41 includes a ball delivery position 411 and a temporary storage position 412 that communicates with the ball outlet 31 of the ball storage mechanism 3. The ball delivery position 411 is equipped with a striking unit 42, a counter for recording the number of shots, and a sensor for sensing the golf ball. The portion of the connecting channel 41 that connects to the ball inlet 211 is provided with a top plate 413, that is, the portion of the connecting channel 41 near the ball inlet 211 of the ball delivery mechanism 2 is provided with a top plate 413 to prevent the golf ball from flying out of the connecting channel 41 during movement, so that the striking unit 42 can smoothly deliver the golf ball into the ball inlet 211 of the ball delivery mechanism 2.

[0037] like Figure 3As shown, the striking unit 42 is used to strike and send the golf ball located at the ball delivery position 411 into the ball inlet 211. Specifically, the striking unit 42 includes a mounting plate 421, a striking plate 422 rotatably mounted on the mounting plate 421, and a jet nozzle 423 located beside the striking plate 422. The striking plate 422 faces the ball inlet 211, and the jet nozzle 423 sprays a high-speed airflow to strike the striking plate 422, causing the striking plate 422 to rotate and propel the golf ball. The striking unit 42 adopts a design that combines jet drive and mechanical striking. The jet nozzle 423 is connected to an external high-pressure air source. After the ball arrives at the ball delivery position 411, the jet nozzle 423 sprays a high-speed airflow that acts on the striking plate 422, causing the striking plate 422 to rotate and propel the golf ball along the connecting channel 41 into the ball inlet 211 of the serving mechanism 2. Compared to the servo motor drive method, the jet drive method meets the requirements of high-intensity continuous striking, and has a fast response and high efficiency. A stop 424 is provided on the side of the hitting plate 422 opposite to the ball inlet 211, and an air nozzle 423 is disposed on the stop 424. The stop 424 is used to position the hitting plate 422 and limit its reciprocating swing. After the hitting plate 422 rotates to deliver the golf ball, it rotates back to contact the stop 424, which can prevent the hitting plate 422 from swinging back and forth at the delivery position 411, so that the golf ball in the temporary storage position 412 can roll smoothly to the delivery position 411. At the same time, the stop 424 is a hollow short tubular component, and the air nozzle 423 is fixed to the stop 424 by a sheet metal part. The air nozzle 423 faces the hollow part of the stop 424 so that the high-speed airflow acts on the hitting plate 422. The sensor used to detect the golf ball can employ existing technology, such as a photoelectric sensor. The sensor detects the presence of a golf ball at the ball delivery position, and when a ball is detected, it sends a signal to the controller, which controls the nozzle 423 to eject a high-speed airflow to rotate the hitting plate 422 and propel the golf ball. The counter used to record the number of shots can also employ existing technology, such as a Hall effect sensor or a photoelectric sensor. The counter accumulates and records the number of shots to represent the number of tee shots.

[0038] The ball-launching machine of this embodiment is used for automatically launching golf balls. It adopts a three-tiered compartmentalized system design, forming a modular layout of ball storage mechanism 3 (capacity compartment), ball delivery mechanism 4 (transmission channel), and ball-launching mechanism 2 (power compartment). The temporary storage position 412 and the ball delivery position 411 realize a "pre-storage-ready-launch" dual-state buffer mechanism, forming a sustainable ball-launching system. Specifically, the ball storage mechanism 3 is used to store golf balls to be launched. The balls flow into the temporary storage position 412 of the connecting channel 41 through the ball outlet 31. The ball delivery position 411 is hit by the ball-launching unit 42 and sent into the ball inlet 211. Then, the ball in the temporary storage position 412 rolls to the ball delivery position 411 and enters the ball-launching mechanism 2 through the ball inlet 211. The ball is then launched by the ball-launching mechanism 2, forming a continuous ball replenishment-ball delivery-ball-launching action, improving the efficiency of the ball-launching. A counter is set up to sense and accumulate the number of hits, thereby representing the number of balls launched. Through the above design, the ball machine in this solution can efficiently and continuously launch golf balls and record the number of shots for analysis. Example 2:

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment provides a screen testing device, including the above-mentioned ball launcher and a screen 5 set in front of the ball launcher. A collection unit 6 for collecting balls is set between the screen 5 and the ball launcher. The collection unit 6 includes a ball collection port 61. The height of the ball collection port 61 is higher than that of the ball storage mechanism 3. A connecting pipe 62 is provided between the ball collection port 61 and the ball storage mechanism 3.

[0040] The curtain testing device provided in this embodiment tests the impact resistance life of the curtain 5 by continuously hitting it with golf balls using a golf ball machine. The curtain 5 is installed in front of the golf ball machine in the position it would normally be used in. The golf ball machine continuously fires golf balls, and a counter records the number of shots. When the curtain 5 reaches the damage and replacement standard, the number of shots recorded by the counter represents the impact resistance life of the curtain 5. This curtain testing device achieves automation, efficiency, and safety in the testing process, significantly shortening the experimental cycle and allowing for thousands of repeated impacts without manual intervention. The collection unit 6 is a collection box with an inclined funnel structure, where the end closer to the curtain 5 is higher than the end farther from the curtain 5. It can automatically collect the golf balls hit on the curtain 5, reducing loss and damage, and the cost of manual ball retrieval. In this embodiment, an installation frame is designed, with the curtain 5 vertically fixed to the frame. The inclined funnel structure collection box is installed on the frame, with the ball collection opening 61 located at the bottom of the collection box at the end furthest from the curtain 5. The collection unit 6 achieves high efficiency, reliability, and energy saving in ball recovery through the coordinated design of the ball collection port 61, which is positioned high above the ball storage mechanism 3, and the ball is automatically driven into the connecting pipe using gravitational potential energy, eliminating the need for an additional power unit. The connecting pipe 62 replaces traditional conveyor belts or robotic arms, reducing moving parts (such as bearings and gears) and lowering failure rates and maintenance costs. The pipe can be made of low-cost, lightweight materials, such as PVC pipes, and does not require reinforcement with a load-bearing structure, further reducing manufacturing costs.

[0041] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are 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.

[0042] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the inclusion of "first," "second," etc., in a feature may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0043] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A ball-serving machine, characterized in that, The device includes a frame, a ball-serving mechanism and a ball-storing mechanism mounted on the frame, and a ball-delivering mechanism disposed between the ball-serving mechanism and the ball-storing mechanism. The ball-serving mechanism includes a ball-inlet, the ball-storing mechanism includes a ball-outlet, and the ball-delivering mechanism includes a connecting channel connecting the ball-inlet and the ball-outlet. The connecting channel includes a ball-delivering position and a temporary storage position communicating with the ball-outlet. The ball-delivering position is equipped with a hitting unit and a counter for recording the number of hits. The hitting unit is used to hit the ball located at the ball-delivering position and send it into the ball-inlet.

2. The ball-serving machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hitting unit includes a mounting plate, a hitting plate rotatably mounted on the mounting plate, and a jet nozzle located beside the hitting plate. The hitting plate faces the ball inlet, and the jet nozzle sprays a high-speed airflow to strike the hitting plate, causing the hitting plate to rotate and propel the ball.

3. The ball-serving machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The striking plate has a stop on the side opposite to the ball inlet, and the air nozzle is disposed on the stop.

4. The ball-serving machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ball delivery position is equipped with a sensor.

5. The ball-serving machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting channel is equipped with a top plate at the part connecting to the ball opening.

6. The ball-serving machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The serving mechanism includes a serving tube, two serving wheels located on both sides of the serving tube, and a drive unit that drives the two serving wheels to rotate synchronously and in opposite directions. One end of the serving tube is the ball inlet, and the other end is the launch outlet. The serving tube has a notch on the side wall opposite to the two serving wheels, and a portion of the outer periphery of the two serving wheels passes through the corresponding notch to extend into the serving tube.

7. The ball-serving machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ball storage mechanism is a ball storage tube that is set at an angle.

8. A curtain testing device, characterized in that, Includes the ball-serving machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, and a screen disposed in front of the ball-serving machine.

9. The curtain testing device according to claim 8, characterized in that, A ball-collecting unit is provided between the screen and the ball-launching machine.

10. The curtain testing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The collecting unit includes a ball collecting port, the height of which is higher than that of the ball storage mechanism, and a connecting pipe is provided between the ball collecting port and the ball storage mechanism.

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