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.

Description

BACKGROUND

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The shuttlecock storage hopper may include a discharging roller disposed close to the exit hole and taking shuttlecocks inside by rotating.

The shuttlecock storage hopper may include a vibration motor disposed close to the exit hole and vibrates the bottom of the shuttlecock storage hopper.

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.

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.

Fixing pins for fixing shuttlecocks to be supplied to the shuttlecock supply unit may be formed on the inner sides of the launching tubes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views showing an automatic shuttlecock collecting and supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a shuttlecock storage hopper shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the bottom of the shuttlecock storage hopper shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a launching tube unit.

FIG. 6 is a view showing launching tubes shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views showing fixing pins in the launching tube shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a launching unit

FIG. 10 is a view showing a launching gun selector

FIG. 11 is a view showing a shuttlecock supply unit

FIG. 12 is a view showing a conveyer unit.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a slide unit

FIG. 14 is a view showing a conveying unit.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a conveying pipe.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a shuttlecock inserted in the conveying pipe.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a stage and a launching position adjustment unit.

FIG. 18 is a view showing a second launching site aligned with the shuttlecock supply unit.

FIG. 19 is a view showing the second launching site aligned with the second cylinder gun.

FIG. 20 is a view showing an elevating unit.

FIG. 21 is a view showing a first wire, a second wire, and pulleys.

FIG. 22 is a view showing a variable body.

FIG. 23 is a view showing the elevating unit that has been stretched.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.

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.

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.

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.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views showing an automatic shuttlecock collecting and supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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.

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.

The shuttlecock storage hopper 100 keeps and discharges shuttlecocks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views showing fixing pins in the launching tubes.

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.

FIG. 9 is a view showing the launching tube unit and FIG. 10 is a view showing a gun selector shown.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a shuttlecock supply unit.

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.

The main tube 410 is connected to the conveyer unit 500, receives shuttlecocks, and keeps the shuttlecocks in series.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FIG. 12 is a view showing the conveyer unit.

The conveyer unit 500 conveys the shuttlecocks in the shuttlecock storage hopper 100 to the shuttlecock supply unit 400.

Referring to FIG. 12, the conveyer unit 500 may include a slide unit 510, a conveying unit 520, and a conveying tube 530.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FIG. 14 is a view showing the conveying unit.

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.

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.

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.

FIG. 15 is a view showing the conveying tube and FIG. 16 is a view showing a shuttlecock inserted in the conveying tube.

The conveying tube 530 guides the shuttlecocks conveyed by the conveying unit 520 to the shuttlecock supply unit 400.

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.

FIG. 17 is a view showing the stage and the launching position adjustment unit.

Referring to FIG. 17, the launching tube unit 200 and the launching site 300 may be fixed to the bottom of the stage 600.

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.

The launching position adjustment unit 700 may include a main block 710, a lateral actuator 720, and a tilting actuator 730.

The main block 710 is coupled to the housing 10 (shown in FIG. 1).

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.

When the first pinion actuator 721 is operated, the stage 600 is laterally moved, thereby changing the launching position of shuttlecocks.

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.

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.

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.

The second cylinder gun 340 is used to launch shuttlecocks to a close target position.

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.

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.

The elevating unit 800 is a device for adjusting the height of the housing 10 (shown in FIG. 1).

The elevating unit 800, as shown in FIGS. 1, and 20 to 23, may include variable bodies 810 and a lifting guide mechanism 820.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.