Baseball Training Apparatus Drag Chute Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports training devices fail to provide a full 360° range of motion without entanglement around the shaft of the club, bat, stick, or racket, and they typically offer only a single level of resistance, which is not adjustable.
Innovation Solution
A training apparatus with a drag chute and coupling elements that securely attach to the shaft, allowing 360° rotation while providing adjustable air resistance through a locking mechanism and support rods, ensuring synchronization and stability during swings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a drag chute is attached to a shaft allowing 360° motion, then the range of motion is improved, but the drag chute becomes entangled around the shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The drag chute is divided into multiple panels (first panel, second panel, third panel, fourth panel) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each panel to navigate around the shaft without entanglement while maintaining the overall 360° range of motion capability of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The drag chute panels are designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing them to rotate and adjust their positions independently. The panels can dynamically reconfigure during rotation to prevent entanglement with the shaft while maintaining aerodynamic effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a static air foil is used to prevent entanglement, then the reliability is improved, but the adaptability to user's unique swing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drag chute panels are designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing them to move and reconfigure during the swing motion. This enables the device to adapt to different swing patterns and user techniques while maintaining reliability through controlled panel movement that prevents entanglement.
Solution Approach 2:
The drag chute panels can change their orientation, position, and configuration parameters during operation to adapt to different swing characteristics. This allows the device to accommodate various user swing patterns while preventing entanglement through controlled parameter changes.
3Device complexity
If a single level of resistance is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different skill levels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates adjustable resistance mechanisms that allow the resistance level to be dynamically changed based on user skill level. The drag chute configuration and aerodynamic properties can be adjusted to provide different resistance levels without fundamentally redesigning the device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to serve multiple skill levels and training needs through adjustable features. The same basic structure can provide different resistance levels and training intensities, making it universally applicable to beginners through advanced users.
4Ease of manufacture
If coupling links are used to attach the device to the shaft, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the device becomes entangled around the shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism uses multiple coupling points and segmented connection elements distributed around the shaft rather than a single continuous link. This segmentation prevents the formation of continuous loops that could entangle around the shaft while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling links are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow them to adjust their configuration during rotation. This prevents the links from forming fixed loops that could entangle around the shaft while maintaining secure attachment throughout the range of motion.
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
Enables a full range of motion without entanglement and adjustable resistance levels, accommodating various skill levels and sports equipment, enhancing training effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a drag chute (12) that provides air resistance when swung
Data Source
AI summary
A sports training device attached to the shaft of a swinging sports apparatus, such as a baseball bat. The device includes a drag chute disposed between two rigid members, a support rod disposed between the two rigid members along the longitudinal axis of the chute, and a plurality of coupling elements connected to the support rod. Each coupling element includes an annular opening for positioning of the sports apparatus therethrough. One coupling element has a stationary component that secures the device to the sports apparatus and a rotating component that rotates 360° around the sports apparatus. As such, the entirety of the device, with exception to this stationary component, can substantially freely rotate 360° around the sports apparatus. Resistance during a swing can be adjusted by sliding the coupling mechanisms along the support rod to expose more or less of the chute.