Tennis Ball Retrieval Robot With Targeted Ball Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to efficiently collect scattered tennis balls during a game, as they are either too intrusive, time-consuming, or not practical for use during active play, causing disruptions and requiring frequent pauses.
Innovation Solution
A compact, portable ball collection apparatus with control circuitry, motors, wheels, a collection compartment, and a ball ejector that identifies ball locations using imaging sensors to quickly collect and propel balls to a predetermined target area, ensuring minimal disruption to gameplay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a robot moves along the court lines during the game to retrieve balls, then balls can be collected during the game, but the robot disturbs many players and takes a lot of time to retrieve each ball
Solution Approach 1:
The ball retrieval function is extracted from the court area and performed in a dedicated retrieval area adjacent to the court. Players throw balls into this separate area, and the robot retrieves balls from there, eliminating disturbance to players during gameplay while maintaining efficient ball collection.
Solution Approach 2:
A ball throwing area serves as an intermediary zone between the playing court and the robot retrieval system. Balls are transferred to this intermediate area by players, allowing the robot to operate independently without interfering with the game while still providing timely ball retrieval services.
2Quantity of substance
If a dual function robot and storage bin is used to automatically find and collect balls, then large amounts of balls can be collected after practice, but the device is intrusive and requires significant time to collect and return balls
Solution Approach 1:
The ball management system is segmented into collection phase and return phase. During the game, balls are quickly collected in the retrieval area. After the game ends, the stored balls are rapidly returned to players, separating the timing of collection and distribution to minimize disruption to gameplay.
Solution Approach 2:
Balls are pre-collected and stored in the retrieval area during the game or practice session. This preliminary collection action allows for rapid ball return after the session ends, eliminating the need to search for and collect balls during the actual gameplay time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If prior art solutions are used for ball retrieval, then balls can be collected during breaks in practice, but the solutions are not practical for use during active gameplay
Solution Approach 1:
The ball retrieval system operates periodically based on game phases. During active play, the system remains stationary and non-intrusive. During breaks or after games, the system activates to collect and return balls, adapting its operation to the periodic nature of tennis matches and practices.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball collection apparatus constituted of: a control circuitry; a body; motors; wheels arranged to rotate responsive to the motors, the body arranged to move along a surface responsive to the rotation of the plurality of wheels; a collection compartment arranged to maintain a ball within a predetermined area in relation to the body; a ball input port in communication with the collection compartment; and a ball ejector arranged to eject the ball from the collection compartment, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to: receive information regarding the location of the ball; responsive to the received information, control the at least one motor to advance the body towards the location of the ball, the collection compartment arranged to collect the ball through the ball input port; and control the ball ejector to eject the ball from the collection compartment and propel the ejected ball towards a predetermined target area.