Pitching Machine Self-Correction via Ball Motion Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing baseball practice systems face challenges in maintaining accurate ball-pitching angles due to pitching machine inclination and displacement over time, which can lead to inconsistent ball pitching conditions, especially in varying installation environments.
Innovation Solution
A ball-pitching control method that utilizes a sensing device to calculate a ball motion model, apply compensation and correction factors to adjust the pitching machine's angle, allowing it to self-correct and maintain set pitching conditions without external sensors or manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pitching machine is installed in different environments, then the system can be deployed more widely, but the pitching angle accuracy deteriorates due to machine inclination
Solution Approach 1:
The pitching machine automatically detects its own inclination angle through sensors and adjusts its pitching parameters to compensate for the inclination, enabling self-correction without external intervention. The control unit calculates compensation values based on detected inclination and automatically modifies pitching commands to maintain accurate ball delivery angles despite installation variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pitching parameters dynamically based on the detected inclination angle. By calculating compensation values from the inclination data and adjusting the pitching angle parameters accordingly, the system maintains accurate ball delivery across different installation environments without requiring physical releveling.
2Productivity
If the pitching machine operates over time, then more batting practice can be provided, but the pitching angle accuracy deteriorates due to machine displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual ball delivery angle using sensors and compares it with the target angle. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the pitching parameters to compensate for any drift or displacement that occurs during operation, maintaining consistent pitching accuracy over extended use periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The pitching machine performs automatic self-correction by detecting its own positional drift or mechanical displacement through sensor feedback and adjusting its pitching parameters accordingly. This self-service mechanism maintains pitching accuracy without requiring manual realignment or external intervention during operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual correction is performed frequently, then pitching angle accuracy is maintained, but the system complexity and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pitching machine automatically detects and corrects its own pitching angle deviations through integrated sensors and control units, eliminating the need for manual measurement and adjustment. The system self-monitors its performance and self-corrects any deviations, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high pitching angle accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment procedures with automated sensor-based detection and electronic control. Instead of requiring operators to physically measure and adjust the pitching machine, the system uses sensors to detect inclination and displacement, then electronically adjusts the pitching parameters, simplifying the overall system operation.
4Measurement precision
If separate sensors or measurement devices are added, then pitching angle detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sensors in the pitching machine are designed to serve multiple functions: they detect both the inclination angle of the machine and the actual ball delivery angle. This multi-functional use of sensors improves measurement precision without adding separate dedicated measurement devices, maintaining system simplicity while achieving accurate pitching angle detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the inclination detection function and the ball delivery angle detection function into a unified sensor system. By merging these measurement capabilities into existing sensors rather than adding separate devices, the system achieves comprehensive angle detection accuracy while minimizing device complexity and component quantity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a ball-pitching control method of a pitching machine in a baseball practice system that is capable of automatically compensating for inclination of the pitching machine, which may occur depending on the installation environment of the pitching machine, based on the result of sensing performed by a sensing device for sensing a pitched ball or a hit ball without using a separate sensor or measurement device and that is capable of automatically self-correcting the displacement of the pitching machine from the original position thereof or the corrected position thereof over time due to external impact applied to the pitching machine or a manager's inaccurate correction of the pitching machine by analyzing the results periodically sensed by a sensing device and the cumulative results of set ball pitching information of the pitching machine, and a baseball practice system using the same.