Ball Collection Pit With Removable Baskets for Easier Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ball collecting systems require significant manual labor to lift and transfer balls from a pit, increasing workload due to their weight.

Innovation Solution

A ball collecting system with a picker that moves on the floor, discharges balls into a pit with a sloping surface and open baskets, allowing easy collection and transfer of balls without lifting, using a basket to reduce workload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If balls are collected in a conventional pit without baskets, then the structure is simple, but the worker's workload increases significantly due to the need to lift and transfer heavy balls manually

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkload when taking out ballsVSAvoidstructure of ball-collecting space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ball-collecting space is segmented into multiple baskets instead of a single large container. Each basket can be independently removed through the open zone, allowing workers to transfer smaller, more manageable quantities of balls at a time, thereby reducing the physical workload per operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Baskets serve as intermediary containers between the ball-collecting space and the transfer location. Workers interact with the baskets rather than directly handling large quantities of balls, making the transfer process easier and reducing strain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple baskets are used to distribute balls, then the workload is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of ball transferVSAvoidnumber of baskets and open zone

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The baskets serve multiple functions: they collect balls from the picker, facilitate easy removal through the open zone, and enable efficient transfer to ball users. This multi-functionality justifies their addition by providing several benefits within a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The open zone creates a new dimensional access point (horizontal opening) to the ball-collecting space, allowing baskets to be removed without vertical lifting. This dimensional change transforms the transfer operation from a vertically-intensive task to a horizontally-simple maneuver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12515109B2Ball collecting system

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 YAMABIKO CORP

AI summary

A ball collecting system includes a picker, and a pit configured to enable balls discharged from the picker to be collected in a ball-collecting space. At least one basket whose upper part is open is disposed in the ball-collecting space to allow the discharged balls to be dropped and stored in the basket. The ball-collecting space is configured such that one end thereof in a horizontal direction is formed as an open zone, to allow the basket to be taken out from the ball-collecting space through the open zone.