Humanoid Batter Torque Transmission and Segmented Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tabletop games with humanoid player figures lack sophisticated mechanical movement systems, particularly for batting and pitching/bowling simulations, which require independent and complex movements that existing static or simple moving appendages cannot adequately replicate.
Innovation Solution
A human-powered humanoid batter system is developed, featuring a baseball home plate with a lever and gear system that transfers torque force to the leg shaft, allowing independent rotation of the upper torso and bat, using a metal wire rope mechanism to separate shoulder and torso rotations, enabling realistic batting motions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If static toys or toys with very simple moving appendages are used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the movement sophistication and realism of batting/pitching simulations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The humanoid figure is divided into multiple independently controllable segments including upper torso, lower torso, arms, and legs. Each segment has its own movement mechanism allowing independent rotation and positioning. The upper torso can rotate around a vertical axis, the lower torso provides additional rotation, and the arms can be positioned independently to hold and swing the bat, creating realistic batting motions without requiring overly complex integrated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The toy employs dynamic movement capabilities where the upper torso rotates to swing the bat, the lower torso rotates independently, and the legs can be positioned to simulate pitching or bowling motions. This dynamic segmentation allows the figure to perform complex batting and pitching simulations through coordinated movement of multiple independent parts rather than requiring a single complex mechanism.
2Reliability
If complicated and independent movements are implemented for batting simulation, then the movement realism is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The batting motion is broken down into separate controllable segments: upper torso rotation for the swing arc, lower torso rotation for body positioning, and arm positioning for bat control. Each segment has its own simple rotation mechanism rather than one complex mechanism, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining movement realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple rotation joints and positioning mechanisms serve multiple functions: the upper torso rotation enables both batting swings and pitching arm motion, the lower torso rotation aids in both batting stance and pitching delivery, and the leg positioning mechanisms work for both batting stances and pitching/bowling deliveries. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized mechanisms for each action.
3Reliability
If independent rotation of upper torso and bat is achieved, then the batting motion realism is improved, but the mechanical system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The batting motion is segmented into two independent rotation mechanisms: upper torso rotation around a vertical axis through the center of the torso, and arm rotation at the shoulder joint. This segmentation allows each rotation to be controlled independently through simple mechanical means rather than requiring a complex coupled mechanism, achieving realistic batting arcs while keeping the mechanical system manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper torso acts as an intermediary between the base mounting and the arm-bat assembly. The upper torso rotation provides the primary swing arc, while the arm rotation provides the final bat orientation. This intermediary rotation joint simplifies the overall mechanism by breaking down the complex batting motion into two simpler sequential rotations rather than requiring one complex multi-degree-of-freedom mechanism.
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 system enables realistic and independent movements of the upper torso and bat, allowing for accurate simulation of batting and pitching/bowling motions in tabletop games, enhancing gameplay experience by replicating the complexity of human movements.
Implementation Method 1
a lever coupled with a first gear of a set of gears that are coupled with a leg shaft in a leg of the baseball batter humanoid and wherein the set of gear transfers the torque force to the leg shaft
Implementation Method 2
a lever coupled with a first gear of a set of gears that are coupled with a leg shaft in a leg of the baseball batter humanoid and wherein the set of gear transfers the torque force to the leg shaft
Implementation Method 3
the upper torso of the baseball batter humanoid comprises a metal wire rope passing through the center of the rotation of an upper torso portion of the baseball batter humanoid, wherein the metal rope is placed in a central manner within the upper torso portion such that when metal wire rope is pulled, the shoulder rotation of the baseball batter humanoid occurs without impacting the torso rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A humanoid batter toy system comprising: a baseball home plate comprising: a bottom plate, a top plate, wherein the set of gear transfers the torque force to the leg shaft. The baseball batter humanoid includes the leg shaft coupled to a hip gear in the baseball batter humanoid, wherein the hip gear receives the torque force uses the torque force to cause an upper torso of baseball batter humanoid to rotate a baseball bat in a batter swinging motion, wherein the metal rope is placed in a central manner within the upper torso portion and when metal wire rope is pulled, the shoulder rotation of the baseball batter humanoid occurs.