Screen Baseball Hole Opening Closing Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional screen baseball systems suffer from reduced user immersion due to the visibility of the pitching machine through the hole in the screen, disrupting the projected image and lowering interest in the game.

Innovation Solution

A screen baseball system with a hole opening/closing apparatus that only opens the pitching hole when the ball pitching device is active, using a sliding, rotational, or door opening/closing mechanism driven by motors to ensure the hole is closed when not in use, allowing the image to be projected without interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hole is formed in the screen to allow the ball to pass through, then the ball pitching function is enabled, but the projected image is disrupted and user immersion is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball pitching functionVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the screen portion movable between open and closed states. The screen can be opened to allow ball passage and closed to restore image continuity, transforming a static screen into a dynamic component that adapts its state based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the screen into a movable screen portion and a fixed screen portion. This segmentation allows the screen to be divided into functional zones: the movable portion that opens/closes for ball passage and the fixed portion that maintains structural integrity and displays the image continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the hole remains open to allow ball passage, then the pitching machine is accessible, but the projected image cannot be displayed continuously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball passageVSAvoidimage display continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by opening the screen portion only during the brief moment when ball passage is required, then closing it immediately afterward. This periodic opening and closing allows the system to maintain image display continuity while still enabling ball passage when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by opening the screen portion in advance before ball delivery and closing it immediately after ball passage. This timing ensures the hole is open only when necessary, allowing the projected image to be displayed continuously without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If a large hole is formed for ball passage, then the ball can pass easily, but more of the pitching machine is visible through the screen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball passage efficiencyVSAvoidvisibility of pitching machine

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a localized opening in the screen portion rather than a large hole. The opening is sized and positioned specifically to allow ball passage while minimizing the visible area of the pitching machine, thus maintaining local image quality while enabling ball delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10625138B2Screen baseball system, hole opening and closing apparatus and ball pitching apparatus utilized thereby, and method for controlling pitching of screen baseball system

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 BATBOX SIMULATORS LLC

AI summary

A screen baseball system includes: a screen portion arranged in front of a batter's box and having a pitching hole allowing a pitched ball to pass therethrough; a ball pitching device arranged behind the screen portion to pitch a ball toward the batter's box through the pitching hole; and a hole opening/closing device configured to operate to close the pitching hole when the ball pitching device does not pitch the ball and to open the pitching hole when the ball pitching device pitches the ball.