Uncovered-Wheel Pitching Machine With Cast Hub Safety Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pitching machines with uncovered wheel assemblies pose a serious danger to users due to exposed parts like spokes, lug nuts, and valve stems, which can cause bodily harm or entanglement with rapidly spinning machinery.
Innovation Solution
The pitching machine incorporates a multifunctional design with safety features such as a cast hub, finger shield, tilt-assist grip, and a ball chute with an elbow and linear portion to prevent hand access to the rotating wheel, along with a non-slip height-adjustable pinch pad to ensure consistent ball propulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an uncovered wheel assembly is used, then access to the valve stem is improved, but safety deteriorates due to exposed spinning parts
Solution Approach 1:
A safety shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the user and the exposed wheel assembly. The shield blocks the view and access to dangerous spinning parts like spokes, lug nuts, and valve stems, while still allowing the wheel to function. This mediator protects users from harmful factors without interfering with the operational benefits of an uncovered wheel design.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a housing is used to shield the wheel, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited access
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complete housing that fully encloses the wheel, the design segments the protection approach by using a partial safety shield. This shield provides protection for the most dangerous areas (spokes, lug nuts, valve stems) while leaving other areas accessible. The segmented approach maintains operational ease while addressing safety concerns.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the wheel assembly is fully enclosed, then safety is improved, but the wheel cannot be uncovered to access valve stem
Solution Approach 1:
The safety shield applies local protection only to the specific areas that pose the greatest danger (spokes, lug nuts, valve stems) rather than fully enclosing the entire wheel assembly. This localized approach provides safety where needed while maintaining the uncovered wheel configuration and its operational benefits, thus preserving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunctional pitching machine has one or more enhanced safety features such as a finger shield, a hub cap, a tilt-assist grip, and a ball chute with elbow and linear portions. The pitching machine has a drive motor connected to a mounting assembly, a wheel assembly attached to a drive shaft of the drive motor, and a support assembly that supports the mounting assembly. A ball chute assembly connects to a pinch pad positioning the ball chute to direct a ball through the ball chute to engage a gripping portion of the wheel assembly pinching the ball between the pinch pad and the gripping portion to impart a propelling force to the ball. The wheel assembly may be a large, uncovered pneumatic tire and cast hub secured to the drive shaft by a single locking nut. The cast hub may be two-pieced to facilitate easy removal and tire changes.