U.S. patent application number 15/312964 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-18 for shuttlecock automatic collecting and supplying apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sang Soo LEE. Invention is credited to Sang Soo LEE.
Application Number | 20170136337 15/312964 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51751331 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170136337 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Sang Soo |
May 18, 2017 |
SHUTTLECOCK AUTOMATIC COLLECTING AND SUPPLYING APPARATUS
Abstract
An automatic shuttlecock collecting and supplying apparatus
including: a shuttlecock storage hopper that has a exit hole at the
end of the bottom and having the bottom inclined toward the exit
hole; a launching tube unit that temporarily keeps one shuttlecock
and includes at least two rotary launching tubes; a launching unit
that launches shuttlecocks in the launching tubes forward by
striking the shuttlecocks; a shuttlecock supply unit that is
disposed behind the launching tubes and supplies shuttlecocks into
an aligned launching tube; and a conveyer unit that connects the
exit hole and the shuttlecock supply unit to convey the
shuttlecocks in the shuttlecock storage unit to the shuttlecock
supply unit.
Inventors: |
LEE; Sang Soo; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LEE; Sang Soo |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
51751331 |
Appl. No.: |
15/312964 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
September 4, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2014/008310 |
371 Date: |
November 21, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/40 20130101;
A63B 67/18 20130101; A63B 69/409 20130101; A63B 67/187 20160101;
A63B 67/08 20130101; A63B 2071/025 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/40 20060101
A63B069/40; A63B 67/187 20060101 A63B067/187 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 27, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0063984 |
Claims
1. An automatic shuttlecock collecting and supplying apparatus,
comprising: a shuttlecock storage hopper that has an exit hole at
the end of the bottom and having the bottom inclined toward the
exit hole; a launching tube unit that temporarily keeps one
shuttlecock and includes at least two rotary launching tubes; a
launching unit that launches shuttlecocks in the launching tubes
forward by striking the shuttlecocks; a shuttlecock supply unit
that is disposed behind the launching tubes and supplies
shuttlecocks into an aligned launching tube; and a conveyer unit
that connects the exit hole and the shuttlecock supply unit to
convey the shuttlecocks in the shuttlecock storage unit to the
shuttlecock supply unit.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a suction motor that
communicates with the inside of the shuttlecock storage hopper is
coupled to the shuttlecock storage hopper and a collecting pipe
communicates with the inside of the shuttlecock storage hopper and
sucks shuttlecocks from the outside using power from the suction
motor.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shuttlecock storage hopper
includes a discharging roller disposed close to the exit hole and
taking shuttlecocks inside by rotating.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the shuttlecock storage hopper
includes a vibration motor disposed close to the exit hole and
vibrates the bottom of the shuttlecock storage hopper.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a cover is hinged to the
bottom of the shuttlecock storage hopper to open and close the exit
hole, is turned by its own weight to open the exit hole, and is
turned by suction force from the suction motor to close the exit
hole.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the launching tube unit
includes: a rotary shaft unit that is disposed at the center of
launching tubes radially arranged and is coupled to the launching
tubes; a launching pipe motor that is coupled to the rotary shaft
unit and transmits torque; and a first launching site that is
coupled to the launching tube motor and is aligned with the
launching tubes ahead of the launching tubes.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein fixing pins for fixing
shuttlecocks to be supplied to the shuttlecock supply unit are
formed on the inner sides of the launching tubes.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the launching unit includes a
first cylinder gun physically striking shuttlecocks, an air gun
pneumatically striking shuttlecocks, and a gun selector coupled to
the first cylinder gun and the air gun, and rotating such that any
one of the first cylinder gun and the air gun is aligned behind a
launching tube aligned with the first launching site.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first launching site
includes an air injector coupled to a compressor of the first
cylinder gun and injecting air forward in the first launching
site.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the shuttlecock supply unit
includes: a main tube that is connected to the conveyer unit and
keeps a plurality of shuttlecocks in series; a tip that is formed
at the front end of the main tube, has a supply hole for
shuttlecocks, and decreases in diameter as it goes to the supply
hole; and a magnetic field generator that is mounted on the main
tube and pushes the shuttlecocks kept in series one by one
forward.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the conveyer unit includes:
a slide unit that is disposed under the exit hole, includes at
least two rails inclined in parallel with each other at a
predetermined gap for holding shuttlecocks discharged from the exit
hole, first conveyers that are disposed at both sides of the ends
of the rails and push the heads of shuttlecocks, and a vibration
motor that is coupled to a support plate of the conveyer and
vibrates the rails; a conveying unit that includes a second
conveyer including a conveyer belt disposed at an angle close to
the ends of the rails and conveying shuttlecocks using friction on
the heads of the shuttlecocks from the slide unit, and a guide
roller disposed at the end of the second conveyer and guiding the
shuttlecocks conveyed by the conveyer belt; and a conveying tube
that has an end disposed close to an end of the conveying unit and
the other end connected to the shuttlecock supply unit, and having
magnetic field generators at predetermined positions.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the launching tube unit and
the launching unit are fixed to the bottom of the stage.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein lateral rails are disposed
under the stage, and sliding blocks are mounted on the rails, are
coupled to the shuttlecock supply unit, and slide on the rails.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a second cylinder gun is
disposed under the stage and a second launching site is mounted on
the rails and moves on the rails to be aligned with the second
cylinder gun ahead of the second cylinder gun.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a launching
position adjustment unit including: a main block that is coupled to
the housing; a lateral actuator that includes a first pinion
actuator coupled to the main block and a first rack bar coupled to
the stage, laterally disposed, and engaged with a pinion of the
first pinion actuator; and a tilting actuator that includes a
second pinion actuator coupled to the housing, a rotary cylinder
laterally coupled to the main block, and a second rack bar
circumferentially mounted on the rotary cylinder and engaged with a
pinion of the second pinion actuator.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an elevating unit
including: at least two variable bodies that each include an outer
pipe disposed at corners of the housing and an inner pipe disposed
inside the outer pipe to be vertically movable and coupled to
wheels at the lower ends; and a lifting guide mechanism that
includes a lifting motor disposed on the bottom of the housing,
pulleys rotatably disposed on the bottom of the housing and
positioned at left and right sides of the lifting motor, a first
wire wound clockwise around a rotary shaft of the motor and
connected to the upper end of the inner pipe of any one of the
variable bodies through the pulleys, and a second wire wound
counterclockwise around the rotary shaft of the motor and connected
to the upper end of the inner pipe of the other variable body
through the pulleys.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic shuttlecock
collecting and supply apparatus and, more particularly, to an
automatic shuttlecock collecting and supplying apparatus that can
automatically launch shuttlecocks for badminton so that users can
practice alone, and allows users to practice badminton alone to
practice theirs forms, steps, hitting points, and time using
shuttlecocks thrown in various directions.
[0002] In general, badminton is a game that anyone can easily enjoy
regardless of sex and age outside and in small indoor places with a
racket and a shuttlecock by striking a shuttlecock to the
counterpart without letting the shuttlecock strike the ground.
[0003] Badminton is, similar to tennis, played with two sides in
which a side strikes a shuttlecock with a racket to the other side
over a net at the center between them and points are scored by
striking the shuttlecock and landing it to the floor within the
opposing side. The forms of the game are "male and female singles"
(one player per side) and "male, female, and mixed doubles (two
players per side), and amateurs play the game in each class based
on age and ability, so anybody can play the game regardless of sex
and age.
[0004] However, beginners learn the techniques of badminton from
experts usually in a way an expert passes over shuttlecocks one by
one with a racket and a beginner receives the shuttlecocks, so it
is possible to practice in various ways, but the way of striking
shuttlecocks that randomly come is not substantially helpful for
expert and beginners.
[0005] Further, beginners of badminton practice various techniques
of badminton by correcting their forms through a coach or textbooks
and beginners who do not have a level counterpart cannot help
individually practicing alone such as swing and step with a
racket.
[0006] Further, in badminton, the differences in level of
beginners, intermediates, and experts are large, so beginners have
to practice alone for a sufficient time until their abilities rise
to higher level enough to play with intermediates and experts, but
they practice alone for a too long period of time, they lose their
interests in badminton and easily give up.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An object of the preset invention is to provide an automatic
shuttlecock collecting and supplying apparatus that allows a user
to correct his/her forms for various motions and sufficiently
practice specific motions, such as stepping and striking, for
striking a shuttlecock by automatically and continuously throwing
shuttlecocks at the same timing or at different timing, or throwing
shuttlecocks in different direction to the user.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
automatic shuttlecock collecting and supplying apparatus that
smoothly supplies shuttlecocks without an error through a launching
unit capable of continuously keeping a plurality of shuttlecocks
and throws the shuttlecocks at the exact timing, whereby it can
achieve maximum practice effect on badminton.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
automatic shuttlecock collecting and supplying apparatus that can
automatically launch shuttlecocks for badminton so that users can
practice alone, and allows users to practice badminton alone to
practice theirs forms, steps, hitting points, and time using
shuttlecocks thrown in various directions.
[0010] It should be noted that objects of the present invention are
not limited to the above-mentioned object and other objects of the
present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
the following descriptions. The objects of the present invention
are not limited to those described above and other objects may be
made apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
description.
[0011] In order to achieve the object of the present invention, an
automatic shuttlecock collecting and supplying apparatus includes:
a shuttlecock storage hopper that has a exit hole at the end of the
bottom and having the bottom inclined toward the exit hole; a
launching tube unit that temporarily keeps one shuttlecock and
includes at least two rotary launching tubes; a launching unit that
launches shuttlecocks in the launching tubes forward by striking
the shuttlecocks; a shuttlecock supply unit that is disposed behind
the launching tubes and supplies shuttlecocks into an aligned
launching tube; and a conveyer unit that connects the exit hole and
the shuttlecock supply unit to convey the shuttlecocks in the
shuttlecock storage unit to the shuttlecock supply unit.
[0012] A suction motor that communicates with the inside of the
shuttlecock storage hopper may be coupled to the shuttlecock
storage hopper and a collecting pipe may communicate with the
inside of the shuttlecock storage hopper and suck shuttlecocks from
the outside using power from the suction motor.
[0013] The shuttlecock storage hopper may include a discharging
roller disposed close to the exit hole and taking shuttlecocks
inside by rotating.
[0014] The shuttlecock storage hopper may include a vibration motor
disposed close to the exit hole and vibrates the bottom of the
shuttlecock storage hopper.
[0015] A cover may be hinged to the bottom of the shuttlecock
storage hopper to open and close the exit hole, may be turned by
its own weight to open the exit hole, and may be turned by suction
force from the suction motor to close the exit hole.
[0016] The launching tube unit may include: a rotary shaft unit
that is disposed at the center of launching tubes radially arranged
and is coupled to the launching tubes; a launching pipe motor that
is coupled to the rotary shaft unit and transmits torque; and a
first launching site that is coupled to the launching tube motor
and is aligned with the launching tubes ahead of the launching
tubes.
[0017] Fixing pins for fixing shuttlecocks to be supplied to the
shuttlecock supply unit may be formed on the inner sides of the
launching tubes.
[0018] The launching unit may include a first cylinder gun
physically striking shuttlecocks, an air gun pneumatically striking
shuttlecocks, and a gun selector coupled to the first cylinder gun
and the air gun, and rotating such that any one of the first
cylinder gun and the air gun is aligned behind a launching tube
aligned with the first launching site.
[0019] The first launching site may include an air injector coupled
to a compressor of the first cylinder gun and injecting air forward
in the first launching site.
[0020] The shuttlecock supply unit may include: a main tube that is
connected to the conveyer unit and keeps a plurality of
shuttlecocks in series; a tip that is formed at the front end of
the main tube, has a supply hole for shuttlecocks, and decreases in
diameter as it goes to the supply hole; and a magnetic field
generator that is mounted on the main tube and pushes the
shuttlecocks kept in series one by one forward.
[0021] The conveyer unit may include: a slide unit that is disposed
under the exit hole, includes at least two rails inclined in
parallel with each other at a predetermined gap for holding
shuttlecocks discharged from the exit hole, first conveyers that
are disposed at both sides of the ends of the rails and push the
heads of shuttlecocks, and a vibration motor that is coupled to a
support plate of the conveyer and vibrates the rails; a conveying
unit that includes a second conveyer including a conveyer belt
disposed at an angle close to the ends of the rails and conveying
shuttlecocks using friction on the heads of the shuttlecocks from
the slide unit, and a guide roller disposed at the end of the
second conveyer and guiding the shuttlecocks conveyed by the
conveyer belt; and a conveying tube that has an end disposed close
to an end of the conveying unit and the other end connected to the
shuttlecock supply unit, and having magnetic field generators at
predetermined positions. The launching tube unit and the launching
unit may be fixed to the bottom of the stage.
[0022] Lateral rails may be disposed under the stage, and sliding
blocks may be mounted on the rails, may be coupled to the
shuttlecock supply unit, and may slide on the rails
[0023] A second cylinder gun may be disposed under the stage and a
second launching site may be mounted on the rails and may on the
rails to be aligned with the second cylinder gun ahead of the
second cylinder gun.
[0024] The apparatus may further include a launching position
adjustment unit including: a main block that is coupled to the
housing; a lateral actuator that includes a first pinion actuator
coupled to the main block and a first rack bar coupled to the
stage, laterally disposed, and engaged with a pinion of the first
pinion actuator; and a tilting actuator that includes a second
pinion actuator coupled to the housing, a rotary cylinder laterally
coupled to the main block, and a second rack bar circumferentially
mounted on the rotary cylinder and engaged with a pinion of the
second pinion actuator.
[0025] The apparatus may further include an elevating unit
including: at least two variable bodies that each include an outer
pipe disposed at corners of the housing and an inner pipe disposed
inside the outer pipe to be vertically movable and coupled to
wheels at the lower ends; and a lifting guide mechanism that
includes a lifting motor disposed on the bottom of the housing,
pulleys rotatably disposed on the bottom of the housing and
positioned at left and right sides of the lifting motor, a first
wire wound clockwise around a rotary shaft of the motor and
connected to the upper end of the inner pipe of any one of the
variable bodies through the pulleys, and a second wire wound
counterclockwise around the rotary shaft of the motor and connected
to the upper end of the inner pipe of the other variable body
through the pulleys.
[0026] The automatic shuttlecock collecting and supplying apparatus
of the present invention allows a user to correct his/her forms for
various motions and sufficiently practice specific motions, such as
stepping and striking, for striking a shuttlecock by automatically
and continuously throwing shuttlecocks at the same timing or at
different timing, or throwing shuttlecocks in different direction
to the user.
[0027] Further, the automatic shuttlecock collecting and supplying
apparatus of the present invention smoothly supplies shuttlecocks
without an error through a launching unit capable of continuously
keeping a plurality of shuttlecocks and throws the shuttlecocks at
the exact timing, whereby it can achieve maximum practice effect on
badminton.
[0028] Further, the automatic shuttlecock collecting and supplying
apparatus can automatically launch shuttlecocks for badminton so
that users can practice alone, and allows users to practice
badminton alone to practice theirs forms, steps, hitting points,
and time using shuttlecocks thrown in various directions.
[0029] It will be sufficiently understood that various embodiments
of the spirit of the present invention can provide various effects
not stated in detail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 are views showing an automatic shuttlecock
collecting and supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a view showing a shuttlecock storage hopper shown
in FIG. 2.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a view showing the bottom of the shuttlecock
storage hopper shown in FIG. 3.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a view showing a launching tube unit.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a view showing launching tubes shown in FIG.
5.
[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 are views showing fixing pins in the launching
tube shown in FIG. 8.
[0036] FIG. 9 is a view showing a launching unit
[0037] FIG. 10 is a view showing a launching gun selector
[0038] FIG. 11 is a view showing a shuttlecock supply unit
[0039] FIG. 12 is a view showing a conveyer unit.
[0040] FIG. 13 is a view showing a slide unit
[0041] FIG. 14 is a view showing a conveying unit.
[0042] FIG. 15 is a view showing a conveying pipe.
[0043] FIG. 16 is a view showing a shuttlecock inserted in the
conveying pipe.
[0044] FIG. 17 is a view showing a stage and a launching position
adjustment unit.
[0045] FIG. 18 is a view showing a second launching site aligned
with the shuttlecock supply unit.
[0046] FIG. 19 is a view showing the second launching site aligned
with the second cylinder gun.
[0047] FIG. 20 is a view showing an elevating unit.
[0048] FIG. 21 is a view showing a first wire, a second wire, and
pulleys.
[0049] FIG. 22 is a view showing a variable body.
[0050] FIG. 23 is a view showing the elevating unit that has been
stretched.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0051] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Objects, specific advantages, and new characteristics of the
present invention will be made clear from the following description
and preferred embodiment associated with the accompanying drawings.
The terms and words used in the present specification and claims
should not be interpreted as being limited to typical meanings or
dictionary definitions, but should be interpreted as having
meanings and concepts relevant to the technical scope of the
present invention based on the rule according to which an inventor
can appropriately define the concept of the terms to describe most
appropriately the best method he or she knows for carrying out the
invention. Further, in the following description, well-known
technologies that are determined to unnecessarily make the spirit
of the present invention unclear are the described.
[0052] FIGS. 1 to 3 show only main characteristic parts for
conceptually clear understanding of the present invention, so
various modifications are expected in the figures and the scope of
the present invention is not limited to the specific shapes shown
in the figures.
[0053] Terms including ordinal numerals such as `first` and
`second` may be used for indicating various components, but those
components are not limited to the terms. The terms are used to
distinguish one component from another component. For example, a
second component may be referred to as a first component and
similarly the first component may also be referred to as the second
component without departing from the scope of the present
invention. The term `and/or` includes a combination of a plurality
of items or any one of a plurality of terms.
[0054] Terms used in the present specification are used only in
order to describe specific exemplary embodiments rather than
limiting the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms
are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" or "have" used in this specification,
specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations,
components, parts, or a combination thereof, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, numerals,
steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof.
[0055] FIGS. 1 and 2 are views showing an automatic shuttlecock
collecting and supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an automatic shuttlecock
collecting and supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention may include a shuttlecock storage hopper 100, a
launching tube unit 200, a launching unit 300, a shuttlecock supply
unit 400, a conveyer unit 500, a stage 600, a launching position
adjustment unit 700, and an elevating unit 800.
[0057] FIG. 3 is a view showing the shuttlecock storage hopper
shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 is a view showing the bottom of the
shuttlecock storage hopper shown in FIG. 3.
[0058] The shuttlecock storage hopper 100 keeps and discharges
shuttlecocks.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the shuttlecock storage hopper
100 has an inclined bottom and an oblong exit hole 110 may be
formed at the lower end of the bottom. Shuttlecocks kept in the
shuttlecock storage hopper 100 can be naturally moved through the
exit hole by their own weights. A discharging roller 120 for taking
shuttlecocks inside may be disposed close to the exit hole 110 to
discharge shuttlecocks through the exit hole 110 by rotating. The
discharging roller 120 may have fiber projections to easily pull
shuttlecocks. The discharging roller 120 may be rotated by a motor
130.
[0060] A cover 140 may be disposed at the exit hole 110. The cover
140 is hinged to the shuttlecock storage hopper 100, close to the
exit hole 110, so it can selectively open or close the exit hole
110. In detail, a suction pump 150 that supplies power for
collecting shuttlecocks may be disposed on the shuttlecock storage
hopper 100 to communicate with the inside of the shuttlecock
storage hopper 100 and a collecting pipe 160 may be connected to
the shuttlecock storage hopper 100 to communicate with the inside
of the shuttlecock storage hopper 100. When the suction pump 150 is
operated, shuttlecocks are sucked into the collecting pipe 160 from
the outside by a suction force, so they can kept in the shuttlecock
storage hopper 100. The inlet of the collecting pipe 160 has a size
corresponding to the diameter of a circle that the feathers of
shuttlecocks make, thereby minimizing damage to the feathers of the
shuttlecocks. Air sucked into the collecting pipe 160 can be
discharged outside through the suction pump 150.
[0061] Further, when the suction pump 150 is operated, the cover
140 is turned by the suction force, whereby the exit hole 110 can
be closed. Further, when the suction pump 150 is stopped, the cover
140 is turned by it own weight, whereby the exit hole 110 can be
opened.
[0062] Meanwhile, though not shown in the figures, a vibration
motor may be disposed around the exit hole 110 to vibrate the
bottom of the shuttlecock storage hopper 100 so that the
shuttlecocks kept in the shuttlecock storage hopper 100 can be more
effectively discharged out of the exit hole 110.
[0063] FIG. 5 is a view showing the launching tube unit and FIG. 6
is a view showing a launching tube unit shown in FIG. 5.
[0064] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the launching tube unit 200
temporarily keeps shuttlecocks and aligns them with a first
launching site 240. The launching tube unit 200 may include four
launching tubes 210 receiving shuttlecocks. Four launching tubes
210 may be arranged in a cross shape. A rotary shaft unit 220 may
be disposed at the center of the four launching tubes 210. The four
launching tubes 210 and the rotary shaft unit 220 may be connected
through four arms. The rotary shaft unit 220 is connected to a
rotary shaft of a launching tube motor 230 and receives torque.
When the launching tube motor 230 is operated, the four launching
tubes 210 are rotated around the rotary shaft unit 220.
[0065] The launching tube motor 230 and the first launching site
240 may be coupled to the bottom of a stage 600 (shown in FIG. 2).
The launching tube motor 230 and the first launching site 240 are
positioned ahead of the four launching tubes 210.
[0066] FIGS. 7 and 8 are views showing fixing pins in the launching
tubes.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, fixing pins 250 may be formed on
the inner side of the launching tube 210. In an embodiment, four
fixing pins 250 are inclined rearward and arranged
circumferentially on the inner side of the launching tube 210. The
fixing pins 250 press and fix a shuttlecock inserted in the
launching tube 210.
[0068] FIG. 9 is a view showing the launching tube unit and FIG. 10
is a view showing a gun selector shown.
[0069] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the launching unit 300 strikes
and launches shuttlecocks in the launching tubes 210 forward. The
launching unit 300 may include a first cylinder gun 310, an air gun
320, and a gun selector 330.
[0070] The first cylinder gun 310 physically strikes and launches
the shuttlecock in a launching tube 210 aligned ahead of it. The
first cylinder gun 310 may be positioned behind the first launching
site 240 with a space from a launching 210 to be aligned.
[0071] The air gun 320 pneumatically strikes and launches the
shuttlecock in a launching tube 210 aligned ahead of it. The air
gun 320 may be connected to a hose 321 for transmitting compressed
air and the hose 321 may be connected to a compressor 322
generating compressed air. The compressor 322 may be disposed on
the bottom of the housing 10.
[0072] The gun selector 330 selects the unit for striking a
shuttlecock by aligning any one of the first cylinder gun 310 and
the air gun 320 with the first launching site 240.
[0073] The gun selector 330 may include a shaft block 331 coupled
to the stage 600, a rotary plate 332 rotatably coupled to the shaft
block 331, and a rack gear 333, a motor 335, and a pinion gear 334
that are coupled to a cylindrical shaft of the shaft block 331.
[0074] The first cylinder gun 310 and the air gun 320 are coupled
to the rotary plate 332. The first cylinder gun 310 and the air gun
320 may be disposed in the same rotational path made around the
rotary plate 332.
[0075] The motor 335 is coupled to the rotary plate 332 and the
pinion gear 334 is coupled to a rotary shaft of the motor 335. The
pinion gear 334 is in mesh with the rack gear 333.
[0076] As a result, when the motor 335 is operated, the rotary
plate 332 is rotated and any one of the first cylinder gun 310 and
the air gun 320 can be selected as the striking unit to be aligned
with the first launching site 240.
[0077] Meanwhile, the first launching site 240 may include an air
injector 241 (shown in FIG. 5) connected to the compressor 332 of
the air gun 320 and injecting air forward into the first launching
site 240. The air injector 241 (shown in FIG. 5) increases
directionality by assisting a shuttlecock to be launched by
continuously injecting air forward in the first launching site
240.
[0078] FIG. 11 is a view showing a shuttlecock supply unit.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 11, the shuttlecock supply unit 400
supplies shuttlecocks one by one into the launching tubes 210. The
shuttlecock supply unit 400 may include a main tube 410, a tip 420,
and a magnetic field generator 430.
[0080] The main tube 410 is connected to the conveyer unit 500,
receives shuttlecocks, and keeps the shuttlecocks in series.
[0081] The tip 420 is the front end of the main tube 410 and has a
supply hole for shuttlecocks. The tip decreases in diameter as it
goes to the supply hole. Accordingly, the head and a portion of the
body of the shuttlecock at the front of a plurality of shuttlecocks
arranged in series protrude out of the tip 420.
[0082] The magnetic field generator 430 is coupled to the main tube
410 and clamps and pushes one by one the shuttlecocks in the main
tube 410. When a current is applied to the magnetic field generator
430, a magnetic field is generated, and clampers 431 at both sides
of the magnetic field generator 430 move close to each other and
move forward with a shuttlecock held therebetween, so shuttlecocks
are pushed forward one by one.
[0083] The shuttlecock supply unit 400 may be moved forward or
backward with movement of the magnetic field generator 430.
Accordingly, with the launching tube 210 aligned ahead of the
shuttlecock supply unit 400, when the magnetic field generator 430
is operated, the shuttlecock supply unit 400 moves forward and the
tip 420 is inserted into the launching tube 210 and pushes the
shuttlecock into the launching tube 210.
[0084] The shuttlecock supplied from the shuttlecock supply unit
400 is pressed and fixed by the four fixing pins 250 in the
shuttlecock launching tube 210.
[0085] Meanwhile, the shuttlecock supply unit 400 may move along
rails 611. The rails 611 are laterally arranged under the stage
600. Sliding blocks 612 may be mounted on the rails 611 to slide
thereon and the shuttlecock supply unit 400 is held on the sliding
block 612.
[0086] FIG. 12 is a view showing the conveyer unit.
[0087] The conveyer unit 500 conveys the shuttlecocks in the
shuttlecock storage hopper 100 to the shuttlecock supply unit
400.
[0088] Referring to FIG. 12, the conveyer unit 500 may include a
slide unit 510, a conveying unit 520, and a conveying tube 530.
[0089] FIG. 13 is a view showing the slide unit. Referring to FIG.
13, the slide unit 510 guides the shuttlecocks discharged from the
shuttlecock storage hopper 100 are moved to the conveying unit 520
by their own weight. The slide unit 510 may include three rails
511, first conveyers 512, and a vibration motor 513.
[0090] The three rails 511 are disposed under the exit hole 110 and
arranged at an angle in parallel with each other with a gap
therebetween, in which the shuttlecocks discharged out of the exit
hole 110. Since a plurality of gaps is provided, the shuttlecocks
are moved along the rails 511 in a plurality of lines.
[0091] The first conveyer 512 is disposed at both sides of the ends
of the rails 511 and pushes the heads of shuttlecocks. The
shuttlecocks of which the heads are pushed by the first conveyers
512 and that are dropped on the conveying unit 520 are positioned
to face the front, so they are conveyed in a shape to be easily
launched.
[0092] The first conveyers 512 may be mounted on a base plate 513
and the vibration motor 514 may be disposed on the base plate 513.
The vibration motor 514 vibrates the rails 511 so that the
shuttlecocks held between the rails 511 are moved along the rails
511 by their own weight.
[0093] FIG. 14 is a view showing the conveying unit.
[0094] Referring to FIG. 14, the conveying unit 520 guides the
shuttlecocks supplied from the slide unit 510 to the conveying tube
530 using power. The conveying unit 520 may include a second
conveyer 521 and a guide roller 522.
[0095] The second conveyer 521 may include a conveyer belt 521a
disposed at an angle close to the ends of the rails 511 and conveys
shuttlecocks from the slide unit 510 using friction on the heads of
the shuttlecocks, and a conveyer motor 512b that moves the conveyer
belt 521a.
[0096] The guide roller 522 is disposed at an end of the second
conveyer 521 so that the shuttlecocks from the conveyer belt 521a
are easily guided to the conveying tube 530. The guide roller 522
is rotated by a roller motor 523.
[0097] FIG. 15 is a view showing the conveying tube and FIG. 16 is
a view showing a shuttlecock inserted in the conveying tube.
[0098] The conveying tube 530 guides the shuttlecocks conveyed by
the conveying unit 520 to the shuttlecock supply unit 400.
[0099] Referring to FIGS. 13 to 16, the conveying tube 530 has an
end disposed close to the end of the conveying unit 520 and the
other end connected to the shuttlecock supply unit 400. Further,
the magnetic field generator 531 may be disposed at predetermined
intervals on the conveying tube 530 to convey the shuttlecocks in
the conveying tube 530 to the shuttlecock supply unit 400.
[0100] FIG. 17 is a view showing the stage and the launching
position adjustment unit.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 17, the launching tube unit 200 and the
launching site 300 may be fixed to the bottom of the stage 600.
[0102] The launching position adjustment unit 700 changes the
launching direction of shuttlecocks, if necessary, by adjusting the
positions of the launching tube unit 200 and the launching site
300.
[0103] The launching position adjustment unit 700 may include a
main block 710, a lateral actuator 720, and a tilting actuator
730.
[0104] The main block 710 is coupled to the housing 10 (shown in
FIG. 1).
[0105] The lateral actuator 720 moves the launching position of
shuttlecocks to the left or right. The lateral actuator 720 may
include a first pinion assembly 721 coupled to the main block 710
and a first rack bar 723 laterally disposed, coupled to the stage
600, and engaged with a pinion 721a of the first pinion assembly
721.
[0106] When the first pinion actuator 721 is operated, the stage
600 is laterally moved, thereby changing the launching position of
shuttlecocks.
[0107] The tilting actuator 730 moves the launching position of
shuttlecocks up or down. The tilting actuator 730 may include a
second pinion actuator 731 coupled to the housing 10 (shown in FIG.
1), a rotary cylinder 731 laterally disposed and coupled to the
main block 710, and a second rack bar 733 circumferentially mounted
on the rotary cylinder 732 and engaged with a pinion of the second
pinion actuator 731.
[0108] When the second pinion actuator 731 is operated, the rotary
cylinder 732 is rotated. Further, as the rotary cylinder 732 is
rotated, the stage 600 coupled to the main block 710 is tilted up
or down, thereby changing the launching position of
shuttlecocks.
[0109] FIG. 18 is a view showing a second launching site aligned
with the shuttlecock supply unit and FIG. 19 is a view showing the
second launching site aligned with a second cylinder gun. As shown
in FIGS. 5 and 18, the second cylinder gun 340 may be disposed
under the stage 600 and the second launching site 350 may be
disposed ahead of the second cylinder gun 340. The second launching
site 350 may be coupled to the rails 611 to move along the rails
611.
[0110] The second cylinder gun 340 is used to launch shuttlecocks
to a close target position.
[0111] As shown in FIG. 18, the second launching site 350 is
aligned with the shuttlecock supply unit 400, and it may be aligned
with the second cylinder gun 340 by moving right, as shown in FIG.
19, even though it receives shuttlecocks from the shuttlecock
supply unit 400.
[0112] FIG. 20 is a view showing an elevating unit, FIG. 21 is a
view showing a first wire, a second wire, and a pulley, and FIG. 22
is a view showing variable bodies. FIG. 23 is a view showing the
elevating unit that has been stretched.
[0113] The elevating unit 800 is a device for adjusting the height
of the housing 10 (shown in FIG. 1).
[0114] The elevating unit 800, as shown in FIGS. 1, and 20 to 23,
may include variable bodies 810 and a lifting guide mechanism
820.
[0115] The variable bodies 810 each include an outer pipe 811
coupled to corners of the housing 10 and an inner pipe 821 disposed
inside the outer pipe 811 to be vertically movable and having a
lower end coupled to a wheel 812a, so the variable bodies have a
double-pipe structure and can be stretched.
[0116] The lifting guide mechanism 820 may include a lifting motor
821 disposed on the bottom of the housing 10, pulleys 822 disposed
at the left and right sides of the lifting motor 821 to be
rotatable on the bottom of the housing 10, and a first wire 823 and
a second wire 824.
[0117] The first wire 823 may be wound clockwise on a rotary shaft
of the lifting motor 821 and connected to the upper end 821a of the
inner pipe 812 of any one of the variable bodies 810 through the
pulleys 822.
[0118] The second wire 824 may be wound counterclockwise on the
rotary shaft of the lifting motor 821 and connected to the upper
end 821a of the inner pipe 812 of another variable body 810 through
the pulleys 822. The pulleys 822, as shown in the figures, arrange
four first and second wires 823 and 824 so that they can be moved
without tangling.
[0119] When the lifting motor 821 is operated, as shown in FIG. 24,
the first wire 823 or the second wire 824 is pulled, the inner pipe
812 is pulled, and the variable body 810 is stretched, so the
housing 10 is lifted up
[0120] Meanwhile, the automatic shuttlecock collecting and
supplying apparatus of the present invention may include a control
panel that has a plurality of buttons for operating and controlling
the apparatus and is attached to a side of the housing 10. Further,
the control panel may be configured to be able to communicate with
a wire or wireless remote controller so that it is possible to
conveniently control the automatic shuttlecock collecting and
supplying apparatus at a predetermined distance. According to this
configuration, it is convenient for a user to operate the automatic
shuttlecock collecting and supplying apparatus.
[0121] The above description is an example that explains the spirit
of the present invention and may be changed, modified, and replaced
in various ways without departing from the basic features of the
present invention by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the
embodiment described herein and the accompanying drawings re
provided not to limit, but to explain the spirit of the present
invention and the spirit and the scope of the present invention are
not limited by the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The
protective range of the present disclosure should be construed on
the basis of claims and all the technical spirits in the equivalent
range should be construed as being included in the scope of the
right of the present disclosure.
* * * * *