Rotary Wheel Shock Absorption via Spring Portion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary wheels for ball pitching machines are prone to damage and separation due to compression-induced shocks, leading to a short service life and failure to operate when the sleeve separates from the wheel body.
Innovation Solution
A rotary wheel design featuring an annular spring portion with V-shaped bending portions and cutting slots to absorb shock, combined with convex ribs and a coupling socket for secure motor engagement, ensuring the wheel body remains intact and functional.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the resilient member is compressed to pitch the ball, then the ball can be pitched effectively, but the wheel body suffers from compression-induced shocks and is easily broken or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a resilient member (spring) between the wheel body and the driving mechanism that absorbs compression-induced shocks before they reach the wheel body. This beforehand cushioning prevents the shocks from damaging the wheel body while still allowing the resilient member to compress and pitch the ball effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member acts as an intermediary element between the motor-driven shaft and the wheel body. It mediates the force transmission by compressing under load, thereby protecting the wheel body from direct shock impacts while maintaining the ball pitching function.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the resilient member is compressed repeatedly, then the wheel can pitch multiple balls, but the sleeve may be easily separated from the wheel body
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member provides beforehand cushioning that absorbs the compression forces during ball pitching, preventing these forces from loosening the sleeve connection to the wheel body. This cushioning effect maintains the stability of the sleeve-wheel body connection over repeated use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the connection system by introducing a resilient member that dynamically adjusts its compression parameter during operation. This parameter change allows the system to absorb shocks while maintaining stable connection between the sleeve and wheel body.
3Strength
If the sleeve separates from the wheel body, then the wheel body is damaged, but the wheel stops functioning
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member provides beforehand cushioning that prevents the compression forces from causing sleeve separation and subsequent wheel body damage. By absorbing these forces, the system maintains both wheel body integrity and operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful compression-induced shocks into a beneficial cushioning effect through the resilient member. The shocks that would normally cause damage are instead absorbed and utilized to compress the spring, which then releases energy to pitch the ball, transforming harm into benefit.
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 design effectively resists shocks, preventing damage and ensuring a longer service life by maintaining motor engagement, allowing the rotary wheel to operate reliably over time.
Implementation Method 1
The spring portion includes a first bending portion protruding outwardly from the first surface and a second bending portion protruding outwardly from the second surface of the wheel body, such that each of the first and second bending portions can be compressed or stretched in the radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary wheel for a ball pitching machine includes a wheel body and a resilient member engaged on an outer periphery of the wheel body. A shaft hole is provided in the wheel body for receiving a shaft of a motor of the ball pitching machine. The wheel body includes a spring portion arranged between the shaft hole and the outer periphery of the wheel body in a radial direction and including first and second bending portions both of which protrude from two sides of the wheel body respectively. When the rotary wheel is driven to turn by the motor, a frictional force of contact of the resilient member with a ball makes the ball shot outwardly, and the rotary wheel is not broken or damaged due to the spring portion compressed in the radial direction to absorb the impact energy.