Foldable Ball Thrower With LED Ball Charging for Night Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball throwing devices fail to launch balls over significant distances, are not easily portable, and do not efficiently charge glow-in-the-dark balls for nighttime play, especially in wet conditions.
Innovation Solution
A foldable ball throwing device equipped with LEDs that emit light along multiple axes to quickly charge glow-in-the-dark balls, featuring a waterproof design and automatic shut-off, allowing for extended playtime and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ball throwing device is made foldable for ease of storage and transport, then portability is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball throwing device is divided into multiple segments that can fold relative to each other. The device includes a handle portion and a throwing mechanism portion that can be folded together, allowing the device to be collapsed into a compact form for storage and transport while maintaining full functionality when extended.
2Productivity
If LEDs emit light along multiple axes to quickly charge glow-in-the-dark balls, then charging efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LED light sources are combined within the ball holder portion to emit light along multiple axes simultaneously. This configuration allows the glow-in-the-dark ball to be charged more efficiently by exposing multiple surfaces to light at once, reducing the charging time required before nighttime play.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED arrangement emits light not only radially but also along the longitudinal axis of the ball holder, creating illumination in additional dimensional directions. This multi-axis lighting approach ensures comprehensive coverage of the glow-in-the-dark ball surface for rapid charging.
3Reliability
If the device is designed to be waterproof for use in rain, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a waterproof coating or sealing layer that protects the internal components from water damage. This flexible protective layer allows the device to be used in rainy conditions while maintaining electrical functionality and structural integrity.
4Ease of operation
If the light emission is automatic with threshold timing, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emission system is designed to automatically activate when the ball holder portion is positioned near the glow-in-the-dark ball, eliminating the need for manual switching. The system includes an automatic shut-off mechanism that turns off the LEDs after a predetermined threshold time, providing hands-free operation while ensuring the ball is adequately charged.
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 device effectively launches balls over greater distances, is easily stored and transported, and efficiently charges glow-in-the-dark balls for nighttime play, even in rainy conditions, enhancing user experience and pet engagement.
Implementation Method 1
A foldable ball throwing device equipped with LEDs that emit light along multiple axes to quickly charge glow-in-the-dark balls
Implementation Method 2
configured to emit light to quickly and thoroughly charge a glow-in-the-dark ball used therewith for a nighttime game
Data Source
AI summary
A ball thrower includes: first and second arms and a sleeve. The first arm has a graspable handle at a first end, hinge knuckle(s) proximate to a second end; and a shaped prong. The second arm has a hinge knuckle(s) at its first end, a ball holder at its second end; and a shaped recess. The hinge knuckle(s) of the first arm pivotally couple to hinge knuckle(s) of the second arm, being pivotable between collapsed and extended positions. The shaped prong is complementary in shape to the shaped recess, and nest together with the second arm in the extended position. The sleeve slides on the second arm to overlay and frictionally engage the selectively shaped prong and an adjacent portion of the second arm, at a position proximate to, but displaced from the hinge knuckles. Light sources in the ball holder light charge a glow-in-the-dark ball.