Automated Ball Replacement Mechanism for Accurate Match Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ball replacement in sportive matches is manually performed by ball boys, leading to inaccuracies, delays, potential partiality, and lack of efficiency, with existing solutions failing to provide quick, accurate, and impartial ball removal and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a support structure with ball delivery and insertion openings, a ball delivery mechanism actuated by electronic, wireless, or mechanical actuators, and integrated visual information displays, allowing automated and synchronized ball delivery with customizable advertising.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual ball replacement is performed by ball boys, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but accuracy, speed, and impartiality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ball replacement system performs ball delivery automatically without human intervention. The ball boy simply inserts the ball into the device, and the automated mechanism handles positioning, launching, and directional control, eliminating manual handling errors and improving delivery accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of ball handling with an automated electromechanical system. Sensors detect ball insertion, microcontrollers process delivery parameters, and automated launchers propel balls with precise control, substituting human skill-based operations with programmable mechanical systems that ensure consistent accuracy and impartiality.
2Device complexity
If manual ball replacement is performed by ball boys, then device complexity is low, but ball replacement speed and efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions multiple balls in ready-to-launch positions within the device. When a ball is inserted, the automated mechanism can immediately launch a replacement ball without waiting for manual retrieval and delivery, significantly reducing replacement time. The preliminary preparation of launch positions enables rapid sequential ball delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system maintains continuous operation by seamlessly transitioning between ball insertion and launch cycles. Multiple balls can be processed in parallel or rapid succession without interruption, eliminating the idle time inherent in manual ball replacement where ball boys must continuously move between ball storage and field positions.
3Device complexity
If manual ball replacement is used, then the system is simple, but impartiality and reliability deteriorate due to human error and partiality
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect ball insertion, launch status, and delivery confirmation. This feedback loop ensures that each ball replacement is accurately tracked and verified, preventing errors such as delivering the wrong ball or failing to replace a ball. The automated recording of each transaction ensures impartiality and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing human operators with automated electromechanical systems, the patent eliminates subjective judgment and conscious partiality. The microcontroller executes predetermined algorithms that treat all teams equally, ensuring impartial ball delivery based solely on game rules and sensor data, thereby significantly improving reliability.
4Measurement precision
If automated ball delivery mechanism is implemented, then ball delivery accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated ball delivery system is divided into modular functional units: ball insertion detection module, launch mechanism module, directional control module, and verification module. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently adjusted or maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high delivery accuracy through specialized optimization of each segment.
Data Source
AI summary
This utility model refers to a device (1) for ball replacement (2) in sportive practices, comprising a support structure (12) having a flat frontal surface (10) with at least one ball delivery opening (111), the flat frontal surface (10) of the support structure still comprising at least one visual information display; at least one ball insertion opening (112); at least one ball delivery mechanism communicating with the ball insertion opening (112); at least an actuator of the ball delivery mechanism.