Concave Ball Launch Wheels to Prevent Pet Ball Launcher Jams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic ball launchers for pets face issues with balls getting stuck due to saliva contamination, leading to reduced launch distance and unpleasant playing experiences, as the contact surface between the ball and launch wheels is small and prone to abrasion.
Innovation Solution
The design features ball launch wheels with a concaved curve matching the ball's outline, integrated with rubber wheels and a silicone case to enhance contact surface area, reduce weight, and minimize noise, along with a sensor-controlled mechanism for efficient ball launching and a tilted ball launch aisle to prevent sticking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conventional flat-teeth ball launch wheels are used, then the structure is simple, but the contact surface between the wheel and ball is small causing the ball to slip or get stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The ball launch wheel features a concaved curved surface that matches the spherical outline of the ball, replacing the conventional flat teeth design. This curvature enables the wheel to envelop and closely contact the ball surface, significantly increasing the contact area and preventing slippage during launch.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball launch wheel combines a rubber wheel layer with a wheel core structure. The rubber material provides enhanced friction and grip on the ball surface, while the underlying core provides structural support. This composite construction increases contact effectiveness without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If the ball launch wheel contact surface is increased to prevent slipping, then ball launching reliability improves, but the wheel weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber wheel layer is applied specifically at the contact region where the wheel meets the ball, providing enhanced friction and grip only where needed. The wheel core maintains a lighter structural design, creating a weight-optimized solution with localized weight enhancement for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible rubber wheel layer is used instead of a solid heavy wheel construction. This thin flexible film provides sufficient contact surface area and friction for reliable ball launching while keeping the overall wheel weight low compared to a fully solid rubber wheel.
3Ease of operation
If a tilted ball launch aisle is implemented to prevent ball sticking, then ball launching smoothness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball launch aisle is designed with a tilted asymmetric configuration rather than a horizontal symmetric path. This tilt creates a natural downward slope that uses gravity to assist ball movement, preventing sticking and improving launching smoothness without requiring additional mechanical components.
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 effectively prevents balls from sticking, maintains stable and extended launch distance, improves pet training efficiency, and allows for the use of various ball types, while also incorporating safety features and remote control functionality for enhanced user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the contact surface of the wheel and the ball is enlarged effectively... the face of the ball launch wheels is a concaved curve which matches an outline of the ball
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic ball launcher for pets includes a body shell, a ball launch aisle, a ball launch mechanism which is connected to the ball launch aisle and near the outlet for the ball; the ball launch mechanism comprises one or more ball launch wheels and one or more ball launch motors; the ball launch wheels are set on two sides of the ball launch aisle, a face of which is a concaved curve; the concaved curve matches the outline of the ball; regular teeth are arranged on the concaved curve; the ball launch wheels are driven by one or more ball launch motor and launch the ball from the outlet. The present invention effectively enlarged the contact surface between the wheels and the ball, which solve the problem of slippery ball being stuck inside the launcher. The playing is not interrupted by the stuck ball and is enjoyable.