Shooting Target Thrower With Spring-Driven Arm And Pedal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manually operated shooting target throwers lack efficiency and consistency in throwing shooting targets, often resulting in broken targets due to high rotational speeds and improper target feeding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A manually operated shooting target thrower with a frame-supported throwing arm that rotates about a throwing axis, equipped with a throwing spring, a drive train including charge and fire pedals, and a target feeder system that feeds targets one at a time, ensuring proper alignment and engagement with the throwing arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the throwing arm rotates at high speed to throw targets efficiently, then productivity is improved, but the targets break due to excessive force and improper engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The target feeder mechanism feeds the target to the throwing arm in advance before the throwing arm reaches the engagement position. This preliminary positioning ensures the target is properly aligned and ready for engagement, reducing impact shocks and preventing breakage while maintaining throwing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The throwing arm stop acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls the throwing arm's rotation speed and position. It ensures the throwing arm rotates at a controlled rate and properly engages the target before release, preventing excessive force that would cause target breakage
2Productivity
If the throwing arm rotates quickly to increase target throwing rate, then productivity is improved, but consistency of target throwing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The throwing arm stop provides feedback control by engaging and disengaging at specific rotational positions. This ensures the throwing arm maintains consistent speed and position throughout its rotation cycle, delivering targets consistently to the shooting position while maintaining high throwing rates
Solution Approach 2:
The target feeder and throwing arm operate in synchronized periodic cycles. The feeder delivers targets at regular intervals that match the throwing arm's rotation period, ensuring consistent timing and positioning for each target throw while maintaining high productivity
3Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to simplify the device, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The target feeder mechanism is self-actuating through the throwing arm's own rotation. As the throwing arm rotates, it automatically triggers the feeder to deliver the next target without requiring separate manual intervention, maintaining simplicity while improving productivity and consistency
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 achieves efficient and consistent throwing of shooting targets by controlling the throwing arm's rotation and target feeding, reducing the likelihood of target breakage and enhancing operational ease.
Implementation Method 1
A throwing spring is operatively coupled to the throwing arm. The throwing spring is arranged to rotate the throwing arm from the cocked position toward the thrown position to throw the shooting target.
Data Source
AI summary
A shooting target thrower for throwing a shooting target includes a throwing arm rotatable about a throwing axis to throw the shooting target. A throwing spring is operatively coupled to the throwing arm and rotates the throwing arm to throw the shooting target. A drive train is operatively coupled to the throwing arm and includes a charge pedal and a fire pedal. The charge pedal rotates the throwing arm toward a cocked position. The fire pedal releases the throwing arm to rotate, under a force of the throwing spring, from the cocked position to throw the shooting target.