Fine Adjustment Subsystem for Ball Pitching Trajectory Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball-throwing devices for sports practice, particularly those with two or three wheels, struggle to provide fine adjustments in pitch location over a 60-foot, 6-inch trajectory, limiting the realism of practice sessions as they cannot easily vary the side-to-side and up-down positions of the ball, failing to replicate the full range of pitches seen in a real game.
Innovation Solution
A ball pitching apparatus with a pivotable frame and a fine adjustment subsystem, featuring at least one variable speed motor-powered wheel, allows for quick and easy adjustments of the ball's location around the strike zone by using a control panel to vary the speed and spin of the wheels, enabling precise control over the pitch trajectory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of the entire machine or throwing head is used, then the device can be repositioned, but fine adjustment of pitch location is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment system is segmented into two independent subsystems: a coarse adjustment mechanism for large movements and a fine adjustment mechanism for precise positioning. This allows the operator to quickly make large adjustments with the coarse mechanism and then precisely tune the pitch location with the fine adjustment mechanism, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual repositioning of the entire machine.
Solution Approach 2:
A fine adjustment mechanism acts as an intermediary between the coarse adjustment mechanism and the throwing head. This intermediary component provides incremental adjustments that bridge the gap between coarse positioning and precise pitch location control, enabling fine-tuning without moving the entire heavy machine.
2Ease of operation
If the device structure is simplified for ease of operation, then adjustability is improved, but precision control over pitch location is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment system transitions from static manual repositioning to dynamic incremental adjustment. The fine adjustment mechanism allows continuous, small-step changes in pitch location while the throwing head operates, enabling precise control without requiring complex manual repositioning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coarse adjustment mechanism performs preliminary positioning of the throwing head to the general area, and then the fine adjustment mechanism takes over for precise positioning. This preliminary action separates the large-scale repositioning task from the fine-tuning task, making both operations simpler and more precise.
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
The apparatus enables realistic simulation of various pitches by allowing operators to easily adjust the pitch location between pitches, providing a more immersive practice experience by mimicking the variability of a human pitcher's throws, including inside, outside, high, and low pitches within the strike zone.
Implementation Method 1
These devices have one or more wheels that engage the ball as it passes through the wheels and impart speed and spin to the ball
Implementation Method 2
a pivotable frame for the ball propelling head attached to the support
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to pitch balls with a fine adjustment subsystem. The system and method allow an operator to make fine adjustments to the horizontal trajectory of a ball as it passes in front of the hitter. The system includes a throwing head with at least one wheel powered by a motor and a control panel with an adjustment for each motor so that speed and spin imparted to the ball can be changed. This invention further includes a method for pitching practice balls wherein the balls are delivered to a person in need of hitting practice. The fine adjustment subsystem permits an operator to quickly and easily change the horizontal positioning of the balls that are thrown to vary the pitches as a batter practices.