Adjustable Clay Target Launcher Angular Sector Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing target throwing machines for Olympic trench shooting lack responsiveness and accuracy, particularly in rapidly changing trajectories, and existing solutions either require multiple machines or compromise on speed and precision.

Innovation Solution

A target throwing machine with a base and a throwing unit that allows adjustable angular sectors of deflection, using actuators to optimize the angular position and trajectory adjustments, enabling multiple configurations with reduced actuator speed and increased stability, allowing for a single machine to mimic multiple launchers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single machine is used to replace multiple launchers with adjustable parameters, then the number of machines is reduced, but the speed of execution and responsiveness between two target projections deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of machinesVSAvoidspeed of execution

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the angular sector of deflection adjustable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically change its operational range to optimize performance for different shooting scenarios, allowing rapid reconfiguration between shots while maintaining high speed execution capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of angular sector deflection to resolve the contradiction. By allowing the angular sector to be adjusted between different predetermined values (first, second, and third angular sectors), the system can optimize for either speed or precision depending on the shooting requirements, thus maintaining high productivity while using fewer machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the angular sector of deflection is reduced to improve accuracy, then the throwing arm moves fewer degrees for desired throwing angle, but the adaptability to different shooting directions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of trajectoryVSAvoidadaptability to different directions

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the angular sector of deflection based on shooting requirements. For high-precision shots, it reduces the angular sector to improve accuracy, while for shots requiring broader coverage, it expands the angular sector to maintain adaptability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between precision and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The launcher is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple predetermined angular sectors (first, second, and third angular sectors). This allows a single machine to perform multiple functions - achieving high accuracy when needed while maintaining the capability to adapt to different shooting directions, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If the angular sector of deflection is reduced to improve accuracy, then the speed of actuator can be limited, but the stability in stationary position may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of trajectoryVSAvoidstability in stationary position

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of angular sector deflection to a smaller value, which allows the actuator to operate at lower speeds while maintaining high accuracy. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling precise trajectory control without requiring high actuator speeds, thereby maintaining stability in stationary position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple actuators are used to provide adjustable orientations, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable orientationsVSAvoidnumber of actuators

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves multiple orientations and high adaptability through a universal launcher design that can operate in multiple predetermined angular sectors. This multi-functional capability is achieved without proportionally increasing the number of actuators, as the same actuator mechanism serves multiple angular sector configurations, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12480748B2Adjustable launchers

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 LAPORTE HLDG (SAS)

AI summary

The device relates to a target projection machine for sports shooting, including a base, a throwing unit movable in rotation according to a first direction relative to the base, a throwing arm movable in rotation according to the first direction relative to the throwing unit, an actuator enabling an adjustment of the angular position of the throwing unit within an angular sector of rotational deflection according to the first direction relative to the base, the machine includes a system for adjusting the angular sector of deflection allowing selectively reducing the angular sector of deflection to one amongst a plurality of different predetermined angular sectors including at least a first angular sector, a second angular sector and a third angular sector.