Automatic Golf Ball Washer Rotary Carriage Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball washers require manual operation and cannot efficiently clean multiple golf balls simultaneously, lacking an automatic and timed cleaning cycle.
Innovation Solution
An automatic golf ball washer with a cylindrical design, mounted on a golf cart, featuring a rotary carriage that spins golf balls within a washing fluid and contacts them with stationary brushes, allowing for a timed wash cycle and easy cleaning of two golf balls at once, with optional replaceable cleaning media and digital advertising capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operation is used for golf ball washing, then the device can be simple in structure, but the cleaning efficiency and productivity are low
Solution Approach 1:
The golf ball washer operates automatically once initiated. The motor drives the rotary carriage to spin the golf balls, brushes contact the balls to clean them, and the entire process runs without continuous manual intervention. The timer automatically controls the wash cycle duration, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates a rotary carriage that dynamically spins the golf balls during the wash cycle. This rotational motion allows the brushes to effectively contact and clean the balls from multiple angles. The dynamic spinning mechanism increases cleaning efficiency without requiring an overly complex structure, as it uses a simple rotational platform
2Productivity
If a single golf ball is cleaned at a time, then the device can be compact, but the productivity and cleaning throughput are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The washing device is segmented into functional modules: a rotary carriage for holding and spinning golf balls, stationary brushes for cleaning, a motor for driving the carriage, and a timer for controlling the cycle. This modular segmentation allows the device to handle multiple balls simultaneously while keeping each component relatively simple and the overall structure compact
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary carriage serves multiple functions: it holds the golf balls, spins them during washing, and can accommodate one or two balls depending on the configuration. This multi-functionality allows the device to maintain a compact size while increasing productivity by being able to clean multiple balls in parallel
3Ease of operation
If no timed cleaning cycle is provided, then the device structure can be simpler, but the ease of operation and hands-free convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The timer mechanism automatically controls the wash cycle duration without requiring continuous manual input. Once the user initiates the cycle by placing balls in the carriage and activating the motor, the timer independently manages the washing duration, allowing hands-free operation. This self-service timing function adds minimal complexity while significantly improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The timer is pre-programmed with specific wash cycle durations (e.g., 12 seconds or less as mentioned in the patent). This preliminary setting of time parameters eliminates the need for users to manually monitor or adjust timing during operation. The pre-set timer automatically manages the entire wash cycle, providing hands-free convenience with minimal added complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides hands-free, thorough, and efficient cleaning of multiple golf balls with a timed cycle, enhancing user convenience and market coverage through automatic operation and replaceable cleaning media, while facilitating advertising opportunities.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary carriage that spins the golf ball within a supply of washing fluid and contacts the moving golf ball with stationary brushes within the body
Implementation Method 2
Spring loaded, the bottom portion moves upward to secure the cylinder tight
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic golf ball washer includes a substantially enclosed body that can receive one or more golf balls onto a rotary carriage that spins the golf ball within a supply of washing fluid and contacts the moving golf ball with stationary brushes within the body.