Sphere-Launching Apparatus with Push Rod Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sphere-launching machines fail to maintain consistent initial launch position and velocity due to variations in sphere diameter and air pressure release, leading to inconsistent angles, directions, and distances of ejected spheres.

Innovation Solution

A sphere-launching apparatus comprising a launching tube, a push unit with a push rod and driving device to ensure consistent initial position, and a pneumatic unit with a valve mechanism and air container to control the release of compressed air for uniform ejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If spheres are individually loaded into the launching tube, then the launching process can accommodate different sphere diameters, but the initial launch position and velocity become inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different sphere diametersVSAvoidconsistency of initial launch position and velocity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The push rod performs preliminary action by pushing the sphere to a predetermined position before the compressed air is released. This preliminary positioning ensures that regardless of the sphere's diameter or initial location in the launching tube, it is consistently placed at the correct position for uniform ejection, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If compressed air is suddenly released to eject the sphere, then the launching speed is high, but the sphere hits the sidewall and velocity variations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunching speedVSAvoidvelocity consistency among spheres

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The push rod performs preliminary positioning of the sphere to a predetermined position before air release. This ensures that the sphere is correctly positioned along the central axis of the launching tube, preventing it from hitting the sidewall during ejection and maintaining velocity consistency while preserving high launching speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The push rod acts as an intermediary between the sphere and the compressed air system. It ensures the sphere is properly positioned before the compressed air acts on it, mediating the interaction to prevent harmful effects (sidewall contact) while maintaining the beneficial effect (high speed ejection).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sphere diameter varies, then different spheres can be launched, but the distance between the sphere and air-emitting end varies causing different launch velocities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunching of spheres with different diametersVSAvoidlaunch velocity consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The push rod performs preliminary positioning to compensate for variations in sphere diameter. By pushing each sphere to a predetermined position regardless of its size, the system ensures that the distance between the sphere and air-emitting end is consistent, thereby maintaining uniform launch velocity while preserving the ability to launch different sphere types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Ensures consistent initial launch position and velocity of spheres, reducing variations in ejection angles, directions, and distances by using a push rod to position the sphere correctly and a pneumatic unit to manage air pressure for uniform ejection.

Implementation Method 1

When the valve mechanism opens the air-emitting end, the compressed air stored in the air container would be released into the launching passage so as to eject the sphere out of the launching tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed air release: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The fourth axial end is to touch and push a sphere in the launching tube. The first driving device is to control the push rod to push the sphere to move axially along the launching passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical contact force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS20190351304A1Sphere-launching apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.11.21 HENG AN CO LTD

AI summary

A sphere-launching apparatus includes a launching tube defining a launching passage, a push unit having a push rod and a first driving device, and a pneumatic unit having a valve mechanism, a pneumatic cylinder and an air container. The push rod, to protrude axially into the launching passage, has a third axial end and an opposing fourth axial end for contacting a sphere in the launching tube. The first driving device, connected with the third axial end, controls the push rod to move the sphere along the launching passage to a predetermined position. The valve mechanism has an air-emitting end connected spatially with the launching passage. The pneumatic cylinder drives the valve mechanism to block or open the air-emitting end. When the valve mechanism opens the air-emitting end, a compressed air in the air container is discharged into the launching passage to eject the sphere out of the launching tube.