Remote Tennis Ball Retriever for In-Play Collection and Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for retrieving tennis balls during play are inefficient, as they require manual collection, are not designed for in-play use, or are impractical due to size, weight, and power consumption, leading to disruptions and safety hazards on the court.
Innovation Solution
A remote-controlled tennis ball retriever with a front-end ball collector featuring spaced-apart blades and a processor-controller for automated ball collection and release to a programmed or manually-directed target location, utilizing passive or active detents and proximity sensors for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual ball collection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to slow retrieval speed and player interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The retriever system automatically detects balls, navigates to their locations, collects them, and returns them to players without requiring manual operation during play, enabling the system to serve itself in the ball retrieval function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical ball collection with an automated robotic system that uses sensors, processors, and automated propulsion to perform retrieval functions, substituting human mechanical action with automated mechanical and electronic systems
2Productivity
If automated robotic ball collector is used, then productivity increases, but use of energy increases due to continuous operation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The retriever operates in periodic cycles, remaining dormant or in low-power mode between ball retrieval events, and only activating when a ball needs to be retrieved, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high productivity when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses proximity sensors and automated detection to identify when balls need retrieval, enabling it to activate only when necessary rather than operating continuously, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining high retrieval efficiency
3Loss of time
If ball collection occurs during in-play, then loss of time is reduced, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to safety hazards on court
Solution Approach 1:
The automated retriever acts as an intermediary between the ball and the player, safely collecting and returning balls without requiring players to leave the court or exposing them to hazards associated with manual ball collection during play
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously performs ball collection and return functions during play without requiring player intervention, eliminating safety hazards while maintaining continuous play and minimizing time loss
Data Source
AI summary
A tennis ball retriever for retrieving a tennis ball on and about a tennis court and for controllably releasing the ball includes a front-end ball collector having two spaced-apart blades defining a ball collection space. The retriever includes a means for gripping and securing a ball positioned at the fore end, and one or more detents for retaining the collected ball in the collection space until a programmed or manually-directed release toward a target location such as a tennis baseline. The retriever includes a processor-controller for controlling and directing the retriever during a retrieval session. The retriever may be remote-controlled such as by voice commands.