Deformable Support Posts With Suspension for Ball Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pitch training apparatuses with support posts are prone to damage and potential injury due to collisions with sports balls, as they do not effectively absorb impact energy.
Innovation Solution
A deformable sporting support apparatus with suspension mechanisms that allow support posts to deflect upon collision, absorbing impact energy and maintaining a standard angle, featuring adjustable components and various types of suspension systems to manage impact forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If support posts are made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the stability of the apparatus is improved, but the support posts become prone to damage and may cause injury upon collision with sports balls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating suspension mechanisms (springs, shock absorbers, or elastic elements) between the support posts and the base component. These mechanisms are pre-configured to absorb and dissipate impact energy from sports balls before the force can damage the support posts or cause injury, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and impact safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the support posts to dynamically change their mechanical properties through the suspension mechanisms. During normal operation, the posts maintain rigid stability, but upon impact, the suspension mechanisms activate to change the effective stiffness and damping parameters, enabling energy absorption while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If support posts are made deformable to absorb impact energy, then the safety and damage resistance are improved, but the structural stability and positioning accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing suspension mechanisms that allow the support posts to dynamically adjust their response to loads. The mechanisms remain inactive during normal operation, maintaining stable positioning, but activate automatically upon impact to provide controlled deformation and energy absorption, thus resolving the contradiction between deformability for safety and stability for positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension mechanisms are pre-configured with appropriate spring constants and damping coefficients to provide optimal cushioning upon impact. This beforehand preparation ensures that when impact occurs, the support posts can safely deform to absorb energy without compromising overall structural stability, as the deformation is controlled and limited to the suspension elements rather than the entire structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support posts are fixed firmly to the base to prevent flipping, then the stability is improved, but the apparatus cannot absorb impact energy and may cause injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the connection between the support posts and base component into separate functional elements: the suspension mechanisms (for energy absorption) and the base structure (for anti-flipping stability). This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its primary function while working together to resolve the contradiction between firm anchoring and impact energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension mechanisms serve as beforehand cushioning elements that are specifically designed to absorb impact energy from sports balls. By placing these cushioning elements between the support posts and base, the patent enables the base to remain firmly anchored for anti-flipping stability while the suspension mechanisms independently handle the impact force absorption, preventing force transmission that could cause injury or damage.
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
Reduces the risk of injury and apparatus damage by absorbing impact energy, ensuring safe and effective training by minimizing the deflection speed and damage from sports ball collisions.
Implementation Method 1
The suspension mechanism may comprise a spring mechanism configured to absorb impact force when the object impacts the support post.
Implementation Method 2
The suspension mechanism may comprise a hydraulic suspension system configured to absorb impact force when the object impacts the support post.
Data Source
AI summary
A deformable sporting support apparatus is provided. The deformable sporting support apparatus may comprise a plurality of support posts, a base component coupled to the plurality of support posts, and, for each support post of the plurality of support posts, a suspension mechanism coupled to the support post and the base component. The suspension mechanism may be configured to enable the support post to deflect up to a maximum deflected angle between the base component and the support post upon an object impacting the support post.