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Figure 1: Toy Basketball Shooter
Description of the problemProblem Statement:
For our project, we have decided to build a basketball shooting toy that would be able to shoot from different distances and angles. We plan to use linkage bar mechanisms that would propel the basketball from a stationary position. The base would be able to rotate fully in order to shoot the ball from different angles. The base will also move forward or backward relative to how far we want our mechanism to be from the hoop. The ball would also reload automatically after each shot. In essence, our mechanism would be able to shoot from anywhere on the court and reload balls after each shot.
Description of Proposed Mechanism:
The proposed mechanism that could solve this problem is a four-bar mechanism that has a fully rotating input linkage. The output link would slowly rotate backwards and have a ball loaded in and then release forward in a much quicker motion propelling the ball forward. Ideally the input is a constant rotational velocity allowing us to quickly shoot repetitive balls. In addition to the base mechanism, we propose the idea of one of the links being of variable length allowing us to control the exit trajectory of the ball.
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