Instrumented Batting Tee for Accurate Swing Speed Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring ball exit velocity in baseball or softball hitting are inaccurate due to rapid velocity decrease and angle-related measurement errors, leading to misleading assessments of a hitter's swing effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An instrumented, angle-adjustable batting tee that includes velocity measuring devices, such as radar detectors, to accurately measure bat speed and ball exit velocity immediately after contact, providing feedback to the hitter through a communications device, thereby eliminating velocity decrease and angle-related measurement errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a radar detector is held by an operator to measure ball exit velocity after contact, then the measurement can be taken in-flight, but the ball exit velocity decreases rapidly during travel resulting in inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the radar detector to measure ball exit velocity at the earliest possible moment immediately after ball-bat contact, before significant velocity decay occurs. The detector is pre-positioned along the ball's flight path to capture velocity data at the optimal measurement point, eliminating delays and ensuring accurate representation of the hitter's swing effectiveness.
2Measurement precision
If the radar detector is aimed at the ball after contact, then the ball exit velocity can be measured, but the radar detector may be at an angle relative to the travel path skewing the measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an angle indicator as an intermediary device that provides visual feedback to the operator about the radar detector's angular alignment with the ball's travel path. This angle indicator serves as a mediator between the complex radar measurement system and the operator, enabling precise angular positioning without requiring expert knowledge or complex calculations, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the radar detector measures at an angle to the ball travel path, then measurements can be taken, but the cosine of the ball exit velocity is measured instead resulting in significantly less accurate assessments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an angle indicator that provides real-time visual feedback to the operator about the angular relationship between the radar detector and the ball's travel path. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to adjust the detector's orientation to achieve proper alignment, ensuring that velocity measurements are taken along the correct vector and eliminating the cosine error that would otherwise significantly reduce measurement accuracy.
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 solution provides precise and immediate feedback on bat speed and ball exit velocity, allowing hitters to assess and improve their swing quality by accurately measuring these parameters at the point of contact, thus enhancing the assessment of swing effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
Conventional methods in measuring ball exit velocity include the implementation of a radar detector held by an operator
Implementation Method 2
particularly those operating on the Doppler principle
Data Source
AI summary
An instrumented, swing path adjustable, angle-adjustable batting tee is disclosed that measures both a bat speed and a ball exit velocity as a hitter swings a bat and initiates contact with a ball positioned on the tee. A bat speed radar detector is coupled to the tee and positioned within proximity of the ball set on the tee so that the bat speed radar detector measures the bat speed upon the bat initiating contact with the ball. A ball exit velocity radar is coupled to the tee and positioned within proximity of a ball flight of the ball as it leaves the bat so that the ball exit velocity radar measures the ball exit velocity of the ball in-flight after contact between the bat and the ball. The ball flight is a path that the ball travels after contact between the bat and a baseball or softball.