Automatic picking and placing device for golf balls

Abstract

The invention provides an automatic picking and placing device for golf balls, and relates to the field of ball processing. The ball picking supports are arranged at the rear end of the universal wheel support, the two ball picking supports are arranged on the left side and the right side and are rotationally connected with the universal wheel support, ball picking units are further arranged on the ball picking supports, each ball picking unit comprises a ball picking drum and a ball picking frame, the ball picking drums are provided with ball picking grooves in the circumferential direction, and ball blocking plates are further arranged between the ball picking drums and the ball picking frames; ball distributing teeth are arranged at the upper ends of the ball baffle plates, are correspondingly inserted into the ball picking grooves and are used for collecting the golf balls in the ball picking grooves into the ball picking frame; the golf ball picking device has a smaller structure in the left-right direction, when the golf ball picking device encounters an uneven lawn, each ball picking support can deflect along with the angle of the lawn, it is guaranteed that the two ball picking units are both parallel to the lawn, and the golf ball picking device is more convenient to use. And ball leakage caused by suspension of the automatic picking and placing device is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ball processing device, in particular to an automatic taking and placing device for golf balls. Background Art

[0002] In the process of golf ball recovery, it is usually adopted to manually push a cart to pick up the balls or to drive a ball picking cart to pick up the balls. Obviously, manually pushing a cart to pick up the balls is not only inefficient, but also requires picking up the balls in an unmanned environment to avoid personnel safety. When using a ball picking cart to pick up the balls, the ball picking unit automatically picks up the golf balls. In order to increase the competitiveness of the golf course, the lawns in the field are usually undulating. When the height of the left and right sides of the ball picking cart are different in the forward direction, the chassis of the ball picking cart is rigid, making it easy for the tires on both sides of the ball picking cart to be suspended in the middle of the chassis when the cart is moving. The golf balls located below the middle of the chassis cannot be picked up and can only be picked up manually or by changing the travel route for a second automatic pick-up. The occurrence of this ball leakage phenomenon will undoubtedly reduce the picking efficiency.

[0003] Based on the above reasons, the present application provides an automatic pick-and-place device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides an automatic golf ball picking and placing device, which aims to solve the problem that the existing automatic ball picking device is prone to miss balls due to the undulation of the ground during the picking process.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic golf ball taking and placing device, comprising:

[0006] A universal wheel bracket, with a universal wheel unit for traveling provided at the front end;

[0007] The ball picking bracket is arranged at the rear end of the universal wheel bracket, and the two ball picking brackets are arranged left and right, each of the ball picking brackets is rotatably connected to the universal wheel bracket, and the ball picking bracket can rotate in the forward and backward directions as an axis, and each of the ball picking brackets is further provided with a ball picking unit, and the ball picking unit includes a ball picking drum and a ball picking frame, and the ball picking frame is located in front of the ball picking drum, and the ball picking drum is circumferentially provided with a ball picking piece, and a plurality of ball picking pieces are arranged along the axial direction of the ball picking drum, and a ball picking groove is formed between any two adjacent ball picking pieces, and the ball picking groove is used to clamp the golf ball, and a ball baffle is further provided between the ball picking drum and the ball picking frame, and a plurality of ball dividing teeth are provided on the upper end of the ball baffle, and the ball dividing teeth are correspondingly inserted into the ball picking groove and collect the golf ball in the ball picking groove into the ball picking frame;

[0008] The ball distribution unit is arranged on the universal wheel bracket and is located in front of the two ball picking brackets. The ball distribution unit is used to guide the golf balls to the paths along which the two ball picking brackets advance.

[0009] Preferably, the ball picking bracket includes first cantilevers arranged opposite to each other on the left and right sides and a first cross arm arranged at the front end of the two first cantilevers. The ball picking frame and the ball picking drum are rotatably arranged on the first cross arm, and the first cross arm is rotatably connected to the rear end of the universal wheel bracket.

[0010] Preferably, a ball outlet is provided on the side of the ball picking frame facing the ball picking drum, and a lifting unit is provided on the first cross arm, and the lifting unit is hinged to the side of the ball picking frame away from the ball outlet.

[0011] Preferably, the ball distribution unit includes a connecting arm and a ball distribution plate arranged at the lower end of the connecting arm, the connecting arm is fixed on the universal wheel bracket, and the ball distribution plate is hinged to the connecting arm so that the ball distribution plate rotates around the left and right directions.

[0012] Preferably, the lower end of the ball distribution plate is made of a deformable flexible material, the cross-section of the ball distribution plate is an isosceles triangle, and the top angle of the ball distribution plate faces forward.

[0013] Preferably, a ball-blocking tooth is also provided at the lower end of the ball-blocking plate, and the ball-blocking tooth is inserted into the ball-picking groove from the lower end of the ball-picking drum. The ball-blocking tooth includes a first horizontal section, a second horizontal section and an inclined section fixed on the ball-blocking plate. The first horizontal section is higher than the second horizontal section, the inclined section connects the first horizontal section and the second horizontal section, and the second horizontal section is close to the bottom of the ball-picking groove.

[0014] Preferably, the universal wheel bracket includes a running part and a connecting bracket arranged on the running part, the universal wheel unit is arranged on the running part, the connecting bracket includes two second cantilevers distributed in the left and right directions, each second cantilever extends along the vertical direction, and a ball picking shaft is provided on the first cross arm, the ball picking shaft is arranged perpendicular to the second cantilever, and the first cross arm rotates around the ball picking shaft.

[0015] Preferably, the connecting bracket further includes a second cross arm, which is arranged at the upper ends of the two second cantilevers, and a push rod unit is hinged on the second cross arm, and the push rod unit rotates around the left and right directions as the axis.

[0016] Preferably, the push rod unit includes a hinge portion for hinged connection with the second cross arm, a pushing portion for connecting to the ball collecting vehicle, and a connecting rod connecting the hinge portion and the pushing portion.

[0017] Preferably, the push rod unit further includes a fixing portion for connecting to the ball picking car, the fixing portion is rotatably connected to the pushing portion, and a limiting plate is provided below the fixing portion, the limiting plate restricting the pushing portion from escaping from below the fixing portion.

[0018] The above solution of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] In the present application, by arranging ball picking brackets that are arranged side by side on the left and right and can rotate independently with the forward and backward directions as the axis, the automatic picking and placing device has a smaller structure in the left and right directions. When encountering an uneven lawn, each ball picking bracket can be deflected according to the angle of the lawn to ensure that the two ball picking units are parallel to the lawn, avoiding the occurrence of ball leakage caused by the automatic picking and placing device being suspended in the air.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a first-perspective view of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a second perspective view of the present application;

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded schematic diagram of this application;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the universal wheel bracket and the push rod unit;

[0025] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the application for picking up a ball;

[0026] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the ball pouring in this application.

[0027] [Description of Reference Numerals] 100-universal wheel bracket, 110-running gear, 120-connecting bracket, 121-second cantilever, 122-second cross arm, 200-Universal wheel unit, 300-ball picking bracket, 310-first cantilever, 320-first cross arm, 321-ball picking shaft, 400-ball picking unit, 410-ball picking frame, 411-ball outlet, 412-lifting unit, 420-ball picking drum, 421-ball picking trough, 422-ball picking piece, 430-ball blocking plate, 431-ball dividing tooth, 432-ball blocking tooth, 500-ball distribution unit, 510-connecting arm, 520-ball distribution plate, 600 - push rod unit, 610 - hinged portion, 620 - pushing portion, 630 - connecting rod, 640 - fixing portion, 641 - limiting plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantages to be solved by the present invention clearer, a detailed description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0029] like Figure 1-6 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic retrieval and placement device for golf balls, including a universal wheel bracket 100, a ball picking bracket 300 and a ball distribution unit 500, wherein a universal wheel unit 200 is provided at the front end of the universal wheel bracket 100, and the universal wheel unit 200 is used to drive the universal wheel bracket 100 to move in any direction. The ball picking bracket 300 is arranged at the rear end of the universal wheel bracket 100. There are two ball picking brackets 300, and the two ball picking brackets 300 are arranged in parallel on the left and right. Each ball picking bracket 300 is rotatably connected to the universal wheel bracket 100, and the ball picking bracket 300 can rotate with the forward and backward directions as the axis to realize the ball picking bracket 300 flipping left or right. A ball picking unit 400 is also provided on each ball picking bracket 300, and the ball picking unit 400 includes a ball picking drum 420 and a ball picking frame 410, wherein the ball picking frame 410 is located in front of the ball picking drum 420, that is, the ball picking frame 410 is closer to the universal wheel unit 200, and a plurality of ball picking pieces 422 are provided on the circumference of the ball picking drum 420, and the plurality of ball picking pieces 422 are arranged along the axial direction of the ball picking drum 420, and a ball picking groove 421 is formed between any two adjacent ball picking pieces 422, and the width of the ball picking groove 421 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the golf ball. The ball picking drum 420 is rotatably mounted on the ball picking bracket 300. When the ball picking drum 420 rolls over a golf ball, the golf ball is clamped in the ball picking groove 421. A ball baffle 430 is disposed between the ball picking drum 420 and the ball picking light. The upper end of the ball baffle 430 is provided with a plurality of ball-dividing teeth 431 disposed in the left and right directions. The ball-dividing teeth 431 are used to insert the ball into the ball picking groove 421 from above the ball picking drum 420. Each ball picking groove 421 is provided with a ball-dividing tooth 431, and the height of the ball-dividing tooth 431 is flush with the bottom of the ball picking groove 421. When a golf ball rotates to the ball-dividing tooth 431, it is scooped up by the ball-dividing teeth 431 and enters the ball picking frame 410, achieving the purpose of automatic ball picking.

[0030] In the present application, a ball picking unit 400 is provided on each of the two ball picking brackets 300, and the ball picking bracket 300 can drive the corresponding ball picking unit 400 to flip left or right. When encountering an undulating lawn, the ball picking bracket 300 can adjust the rotation angle according to the lawn, keeping the rolling axis of the ball picking drum 420 always parallel to the lawn, avoiding the phenomenon of the ball picking drum 420 being suspended in the air, thereby avoiding the problem of ball leakage.

[0031] Furthermore, a ball distribution unit 500 is provided on the universal wheel bracket 100, and the ball distribution unit 500 is located directly in front of the two ball picking brackets 300. When the present application moves forward, the ball distribution unit 500 guides the golf balls in the forward direction to the forward path of the two ball picking brackets 300, so that each ball picking drum 420 automatically picks up the golf balls.

[0032] The ball distribution unit 500 is located right in front between the two ball picking brackets 300 .

[0033] By providing the ball dividing unit 500 to guide the golf balls between the two ball picking brackets 300 to the movement path of the ball picking bracket 300, the picking blind area is effectively reduced and the ball picking efficiency is improved.

[0034] Specifically, the aforementioned ball picking bracket 300 includes a first cantilever 310 relatively arranged on the left and right sides and a first cross arm 320 arranged at the front end of the two first cantilever arms 310. The first cross arm 320 is rotatably arranged at the rear end of the universal wheel bracket 100. It can be understood that the first cross arm 320 can rotate with the forward and backward directions as the axis. The aforementioned ball picking frame 410 and ball picking drum 420 are both rotatably arranged between the two first cross arms 320. The ball picking frame 410 and the ball picking drum 420 can rotate with the left and right directions as the axis. The purpose of the ball picking drum 420 being able to rotate with the left and right directions as the axis is to achieve the driven rotation of the ball picking drum 420, ensuring that the ball picking drum 420 rotates during the advancement of this application to achieve automatic ball picking. The rotation of the ball picking frame 410 provides a structural basis for the subsequent automatic ball pouring.

[0035] Specifically, a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat are respectively provided at the front end and the rear end of the first cantilever 310 , wherein the first bearing seat is used to connect with the ball picking frame 410 , and the second bearing seat is used to connect with the ball picking drum 420 .

[0036] Furthermore, the upper end of the ball picking frame 410 is open, and a ball outlet 411 is provided on the side of the ball picking frame 410 facing the ball picking drum 420, and a lifting unit 412 is provided on the first cross arm 320, and the lifting unit 412 is hinged to the side of the ball picking frame 410 away from the ball outlet 411.

[0037] In this embodiment, when the lifting unit 412 drives the ball picking frame 410 to rotate about the first bearing seat, the ball outlet 411 rotates downward. As the ball outlet 411 rotates, the horizontal gap W between the ball outlet 411 and the ball baffle 430 gradually increases. When the horizontal gap W exceeds the diameter of the golf ball, the golf ball falls out of the ball outlet 411, achieving automatic ball dumping. In this embodiment, using the lifting unit 412 to drive the ball picking frame 410 to rotate improves automation efficiency and eliminates the need for manual intervention. Furthermore, all golf balls can be dumped at once, saving time and effort.

[0038] Preferably, when the horizontal gap W between the ball outlet 411 and the ball baffle 430 is twice the diameter of the golf ball, the lifting unit 412 stops rotating, which can effectively prevent the golf ball from getting stuck in the ball outlet 411 .

[0039] The ball distribution unit 500 also includes a connecting arm 510 and a ball distribution plate 520. The connecting arm 510 is fixed to the universal wheel bracket 100. The ball distribution plate 520 is hinged to the connecting arm 510. The ball distribution plate 520 can rotate left and right to achieve upward or downward rotation. The upward and downward rotation of the ball distribution plate 520 allows the ball distribution plate 520 to adapt to uneven lawns and prevent the ball distribution plate 520 from damaging the lawn.

[0040] Preferably, the lower end of the ball distribution plate 520 is made of a deformable flexible material, the cross section of the ball distribution plate 520 (ie, the horizontal plane formed by the left and right directions and the front and back directions) is an isosceles triangle, and the top angle of the ball distribution plate 520 faces forward.

[0041] Furthermore, a ball-blocking tooth 432 is provided at the lower end of the aforementioned ball-blocking plate 430, and several ball-blocking teeth 432 are provided along the left and right directions of the ball-blocking plate 430. Several ball-blocking teeth 432 are inserted into the ball-picking groove 421 from the lower end of the ball-picking drum 420. Specifically, the ball-blocking tooth 432 includes a first horizontal section, a second horizontal section and an inclined section, wherein the first horizontal section is connected to the ball-blocking plate 430, the second horizontal section is lower than the first horizontal section, the first horizontal section and the second horizontal section are connected by an inclined section, and the second horizontal section is close to the bottom of the ball-picking groove 421.

[0042] Preferably, the ball blocking teeth 432 , the ball dividing teeth 431 and the ball blocking plate 430 are integrally formed.

[0043] When the present application moves backward, the ball picking groove 421 of the ball picking drum 420 will also clamp the golf ball. At this time, under the action of the second horizontal section, the golf ball is pried, and the golf ball gradually leaves the bottom of the ball picking groove 421 along the inclined section and eventually escapes from the ball picking groove 421. If the ball blocking tooth is not provided, when the present application moves backward, the ball picking drum 420 rotates clockwise so that the golf ball is stuck under the ball dividing tooth 431, causing the ball picking drum 420 to get stuck.

[0044] The aforementioned universal wheel bracket 100 includes a running part 110 and a connecting bracket 120 arranged on the running part 110, wherein the universal wheel unit 200 is arranged on the running part 110, the running part 110 is located at the front end between the connections, and the connecting bracket 120 includes two second cantilevers 121 distributed in the left and right directions, each second cantilever 121 extends downward in the vertical direction, and a ball picking shaft 321 is provided on the first cross arm 320, and a bearing connected to the ball picking bearing 321 is provided in the radial direction of the second cantilever 121, the ball picking shaft 321 is perpendicular to the second cantilever 121, and the first cross arm 320 can rotate around the ball picking shaft 321, thereby realizing left flipping or right flipping.

[0045] The aforementioned connecting bracket 120 also includes a second cross arm 122, which is arranged at the upper ends of the two second cantilevers 121. The upper end of the second cross arm 122 is hinged with a push rod unit 600, and the push rod unit 600 rotates relative to the second cross arm 122 with the left and right directions as the axis.

[0046] Specifically, the push rod unit 600 includes a hinged portion 610, a pushing portion 620 and a connecting rod 630, wherein the hinged portion 610 is used to be hinged with the second cross arm 122, the pushing portion 620 is used to connect to a ball picking car (not shown in the figure), and the connecting rod 630 connects the hinged portion 610 and the pushing portion 620.

[0047] Furthermore, the push rod unit 600 also includes a fixed portion 640, which is configured to be mounted on the ball retrieval vehicle and is rotatably connected to the push portion 620. The hinged portion 610 and the second cross arm 122, as well as the fixed portion 640 and the push portion 620, can both rotate about the left and right axes. When the vehicle moves forward or backward, the hinged portion 610 and the second cross arm 122, as well as the fixed portion 640 and the push portion 620, can rotate with the undulations of the lawn.

[0048] In this embodiment, the pushing portion 620 is rotatably connected to the fixing portion 640 via a pin. A limit piece 641 is provided below the fixing portion 640 to prevent the pushing portion 620 from falling out from below the fixing portion 640.

[0049] Specifically, the limiting plate 641 is arranged below the fixed part 640. When the push rod unit 600 rotates relative to the second cross arm 122, the limiting plate 641 is located on the rotation path of the push rod unit 600. The limiting plate 641 can prevent the pushing part 620 from rotating counterclockwise to the bottom of the fixed part 640, thereby avoiding injuring the operator when the pushing part 620 is removed from the fixed part 640.

[0050] The above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic golf ball picking and placing device, characterized in that: include: A universal wheel bracket (100), the front end of which is provided with a universal wheel unit (200) for traveling; A ball picking bracket (300) is provided at the rear end of the universal wheel bracket (100), two of the ball picking brackets (300) are arranged on the left and right, each of the ball picking brackets (300) is rotatably connected to the universal wheel bracket (100), and the ball picking bracket (300) can be rotated with the forward and backward directions as the axis, and each of the ball picking brackets (300) is also provided with a ball picking unit (400), the ball picking unit (400) includes a ball picking drum (420) and a ball picking frame (410), the ball picking frame (410) is located in front of the ball picking drum (420), and the ball picking drum (420) is circumferentially A ball picking piece (422) is provided on the ball picking drum (420), and a plurality of ball picking pieces (422) are arranged along the axial direction of the ball picking drum (420). A ball picking groove (421) is formed between any two adjacent ball picking pieces (422). The ball picking groove (421) is used to clamp golf balls. A ball blocking plate (430) is further provided between the ball picking drum (420) and the ball picking frame (410). A plurality of ball dividing teeth (431) are provided on the upper end of the ball blocking plate (430). The ball dividing teeth (431) are correspondingly inserted into the ball picking groove (421) and collect the golf balls in the ball picking groove (421) into the ball picking frame (410). A ball distribution unit (500) is provided on the universal wheel bracket (100), and the ball distribution unit (500) is located in front of the two ball picking brackets (300). The ball distribution unit (500) is used to guide golf balls onto the path of the two ball picking brackets (300).

2. The automatic golf ball taking and placing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball picking bracket (300) comprises first cantilevers (310) arranged opposite to each other on the left and right sides, and first transverse arms (320) arranged at the front ends of the two first cantilevers (310); the ball picking frame (410) and the ball picking drum (420) are rotatably arranged on the first transverse arms (320); and the first transverse arms (320) are rotatably connected to the rear end of the universal wheel bracket (100).

3. The automatic golf ball taking and placing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A ball outlet (411) is provided on a side of the ball picking frame (410) facing the ball picking drum (420), and a lifting unit (412) is provided on the first cross arm (320). The lifting unit (412) is hinged to a side of the ball picking frame (410) away from the ball outlet (411).

4. The automatic golf ball taking and placing device according to claim 1, wherein: The ball distribution unit (500) comprises a connecting arm (510) and a ball distribution plate (520) arranged at the lower end of the connecting arm (510); the connecting arm (510) is fixed to the universal wheel bracket (100); the ball distribution plate (520) is hinged to the connecting arm (510) so that the ball distribution plate (520) rotates with the left and right directions as the axis.

5. The automatic golf ball taking and placing device according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that: The lower end of the ball distribution plate (520) is made of a deformable flexible material, the cross-section of the ball distribution plate (520) is an isosceles triangle, and the top angle of the ball distribution plate (520) faces forward.

6. The automatic golf ball taking and placing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the ball blocking plate (430) is further provided with a ball blocking tooth (432), and the ball blocking tooth (432) is inserted into the ball picking groove (421) from the lower end of the ball picking drum (420). The ball blocking tooth (432) includes a first horizontal section, a second horizontal section and an inclined section fixed on the ball blocking plate (430), the first horizontal section is higher than the second horizontal section, the inclined section connects the first horizontal section and the second horizontal section, and the second horizontal section is close to the bottom of the ball picking groove (421).

7. The automatic golf ball taking and placing device according to claim 2, wherein: The universal wheel bracket (100) includes a running part (110) and a connecting bracket (120) arranged on the running part (110); the universal wheel unit (200) is arranged on the running part (110); the connecting bracket (120) includes two second cantilevers (121) distributed in the left and right directions; each second cantilever (121) extends in the vertical direction; a ball picking shaft (321) is provided on the first transverse arm (320); the ball picking shaft (321) is arranged perpendicular to the second cantilever (121), and the first transverse arm (320) rotates around the ball picking shaft (321).

8. The automatic golf ball taking and placing device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connecting bracket (120) further comprises a second transverse arm (122), the second transverse arm (122) being arranged at the upper ends of the two second cantilevers (121), a push rod unit (600) being hingedly connected to the second transverse arm (122), and the push rod unit (600) being rotated about the left and right directions as an axis.

9. The automatic golf ball taking and placing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The push rod unit (600) comprises a hinge portion (610) for hinged connection with the second cross arm (122), a pushing portion (620) for connecting to the ball picking vehicle, and a connecting rod (630) connecting the hinge portion (610) and the pushing portion (620).

10. The automatic golf ball taking and placing device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The push rod unit (600) further includes a fixing portion (640) for connecting to the ball picking vehicle, wherein the fixing portion (640) is rotatably connected to the pushing portion (620), and a limiting plate (641) is provided below the fixing portion (640), wherein the limiting plate (641) limits the pushing portion (620) from falling out from below the fixing portion (640).

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