Bat Barrel Disc Members for Performance Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baseball and softball bats face challenges in balancing performance and weight compliance with regulatory requirements, as increased stiffness to reduce performance leads to heavier bats that are less desirable, and players often resort to artificial aging to enhance performance, which can compromise bat longevity.
Innovation Solution
The integration of alternating disc members and insulation foam within the bat's barrel portion, creating a friction fit to reduce batted ball speed while maintaining a desirable weight and length, with disc members made of carbon fiber or other materials strategically placed to manage stiffness and compliance with performance regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stiffer materials are added to the ball bat's barrel portion to reduce performance, then performance compliance with regulations is improved, but the ball bat weight increases and becomes harder to make
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel portion is segmented into multiple zones along its length, with different disc members (solid and hollow) strategically positioned at specific locations. This segmentation allows performance reduction to be achieved locally at impact zones while maintaining lighter weight in other sections, resolving the contradiction between compliance and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Different types of disc members are placed at specific locations along the barrel portion based on local performance requirements. Solid disc members are positioned where maximum performance reduction is needed, while hollow disc members are placed where weight reduction is prioritized, achieving both compliance and weight optimization through local differentiation.
2Reliability
If stiffer materials are added to the ball bat's barrel portion to reduce performance, then performance compliance with regulations is improved, but the ball bat becomes heavier and less desirable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite construction combining solid disc members, hollow disc members, and insulation foam within the barrel portion. This composite approach allows optimization of both performance compliance and weight, creating a bat that meets regulations while maintaining desirable operational characteristics for players.
3Reliability
If disc members are added to reduce performance, then compliance with performance regulations is improved, but the bat structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel portion is divided into multiple segments with different disc members positioned at specific locations. This segmented approach organizes the complexity into manageable zones, each serving a specific performance function, making the overall structure more comprehensible and manufacturable despite the multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow disc members are nested within the barrel portion's internal structure, with insulation foam positioned between and around the disc members. This nesting arrangement integrates multiple functional elements into a compact, organized configuration that reduces structural complexity while maintaining compliance.
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
This solution allows for bats that meet reduced performance standards while maintaining a comfortable weight and length, ensuring compliance with regulations and extending bat lifespan by strategically managing stiffness and durability through the use of disc members and insulation foam.
Implementation Method 1
The outer diameter of the at least one disc member may correspond with the inner diameter of the ball bat to create a fit within close proximity between the at least one disc member and the ball bat
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a ball bat and a ball bat comprising at least one disc member that defines an outer diameter corresponding to an inner diameter defined by the ball bat to create a fit within close proximity between the at least one disc member and the ball bat. The at least one disc member can be located within the barrel portion of the ball bat. The at least one disc member can include at least one solid disc member that is located within a sweet spot of the ball bat. In some embodiments, the apparatus for a ball bat and the ball bat can further include an at least one insulation foam member. The at least one insulation foam member can separate the at least one disc member. The at least one insulation foam member can define a hollow center portion.