Remote Ball Picking Machine with Overflow Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual collection of balls in sports venues is laborious and inefficient, as existing ball-picking appliances require manpower to move and position them, limiting effectiveness across various sports such as table tennis, tennis, baseball, and golf.
Innovation Solution
A remotely controlled ball picking machine equipped with a frame mechanism, suction mechanism, sensors, and a controller that allows for automated movement, ball collection, and foreign object separation, enabling efficient and controlled ball collection without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual ball collection is used, then simplicity of device is maintained, but labor intensity increases and collection efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball picking machine autonomously navigates to ball locations, detects balls using sensors, and collects them using a suction mechanism without requiring human operators to physically move or position collection devices, thereby eliminating manual labor while maintaining high collection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical collection methods with an automated system that uses sensors for detection, a controller for decision-making, and a suction mechanism for ball collection, substituting human physical effort with automated mechanical and electronic systems
2Extent of automation
If automated ball picking machine is deployed, then labor intensity is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated ball picking system is divided into distinct functional modules: a moving unit for navigation, a sensing unit with multiple sensors for ball detection, a controller for coordination, and a suction mechanism for collection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as an integrated system, managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The moving unit serves multiple functions by both navigating to ball locations and positioning the suction mechanism for collection. The controller coordinates all components including movement, sensing, and suction operations, consolidating control functions to manage system complexity through multi-functional integration
3Productivity
If ball collection continues without monitoring, then collection speed is maintained, but ball overflow and foreign object contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing unit continuously monitors the collection box to detect when it is full or when foreign objects are present. This feedback information is sent to the controller, which automatically stops the collection process when necessary, preventing overflow and contamination while maintaining high collection speed during normal operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The machine significantly reduces manual labor in ball collection, enhances efficiency by automatically sensing and adapting to ball accumulation and obstacles, and prevents damage to facilities through controlled operation, improving the overall ball-picking process.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device (42) ... operable to be activated to generate a suction air current in the suction tube (41) so as to suck the ball bodies (901) and convey the ball bodies (901) into the ball collecting space (323)
Implementation Method 2
a first fan (36) ... operable to be activated to generate air current so as to blow the ball bodies (901) within the ball collecting space (323)
Implementation Method 3
two second fans (37) ... Each of the second fans (37) is operable to be activated by the controller (8) so as to generate air current so as to blow the ball bodies (901) on the ground within a predetermined range in front of the main box body (321)
Implementation Method 4
a filter screen portion (324) having a plurality of openings and located above the foreign object collecting box (325), so as to allow passage of foreign objects (902) which are smaller than volumes of the ball bodies (901)
Data Source
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AI summary
A ball picking machine (200) is adapted for picking ball bodies (901) by remote control, and includes a moving unit (31), a suction device (42), a ball overflow sensor (51), a controller (8), and a collection box unit (32) that defines a ball collecting space (323). The ball overflow sensor (51) generates a full-ball signal when a height of the ball bodies 901 that accumulate in the ball collecting space (323) is greater than a predetermined height. The controller (8) is signally connected to the moving unit (31), the suction device (42), and the ball overflow sensor (51), and includes a communication module (81) and a control module (82). The control module (82) turns off the suction device (42) and sends a full-ball message outwardly through the communication module (81) when triggered by the full-ball signal.