Underground Ball Launcher with Retractable Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for reintroducing balls onto a playing field lack the ability to launch the ball in a controlled manner while ensuring player safety, as they either protrude from the ground, creating hazards, or fail to control the ball's trajectory.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising an outlet chamber that can receive a ball underground, move to the surface, and launch it using integrated launching means, with a conduit and movement mechanisms to control the ball's trajectory, ensuring safety and controlled launch without protruding structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If surface systems with fixed structures are used to launch balls, then ball launching capability is improved, but player safety deteriorates due to protruding structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball launching capabilityVSAvoidplayer safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a movable platform that can dynamically transition between retracted and extended positions. When not in use, the platform is retracted below ground level to eliminate safety hazards. When ball introduction is needed, the platform extends to the surface to provide ball launching capability, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a two-dimensional surface structure to a three-dimensional solution by moving the platform vertically between underground and surface positions. This dimensional change allows the system to provide surface-level ball launching functionality only when needed, while maintaining safety by retracting to the third dimension (below ground) when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If underground systems are used to introduce balls, then player safety is improved, but ball trajectory control capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer safetyVSAvoidball trajectory control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable platform provides dynamic ball launching capability with adjustable trajectory parameters. The platform can be positioned and oriented to control ball direction and angle, enabling precise trajectory control while maintaining underground safety benefits when retracted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable platform acts as an intermediary mechanism between the underground ball storage area and the playing field. It provides the necessary ball launching and trajectory control functions while maintaining the safety advantages of underground storage, effectively mediating between safety and operational capability requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If fixed surface structures are used, then ball launching function is improved, but spectator observation deteriorates due to visual obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball launching functionVSAvoidspectator observation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable platform provides ball launching functionality only when needed, and when not in use, it is retracted below ground level to eliminate visual obstruction. This dynamic operation allows spectators to have unobstructed views during matches while the system provides ball launching capability when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system operates periodically - extending to the surface only when ball introduction is needed and retracting below ground when not in use. This periodic action ensures that the ball launching function is available when required while minimizing visual obstruction to spectator observation during normal match play.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic 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

The system allows for safe and controlled reintroduction of balls onto the playing field, avoiding hazards and ensuring precise trajectory control, enhancing match fairness and safety.

Implementation Method 1

the launching means comprise a pneumatic system configured to provide pressurised air to launch the ball

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatics: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 2

movement means of the outlet chamber, connected to and configured to move said outlet chamber between at least the first position and the second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical movement: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11944888B2System and method for launching a ball onto the ground of a playing field

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 ROEL CARDAMA DIEGO

AI summary

System and method for launching a ball onto the ground of a playing field. The system includes an outlet chamber configured to receive the ball therein; an outlet conduit or frame configured to contain the outlet chamber and allow the same to move through the outlet conduit towards a second position on the ground; movement capability of the outlet chamber, connected to and configured to move the outlet chamber between at least the first position and the second position, where the outlet chamber includes an outlet mouth and launching means for launching the ball arranged in the outlet chamber. A field including the system is also described.