Electronic Golf Ball Aligner Using Photonic Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aiming a lined golf ball on a putting green is challenging due to the small size of the ball, visual alignment complexities, and slope issues, leading to inefficiencies in the pace of play.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device that automatically loads, rotates, and aligns a marked golf ball using rotation motors and photonic sensors to ensure precise alignment with the intended target, powered by batteries and controlled by a microcontroller, allowing for quick and accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment of a lined golf ball is used, then the golfer can aim the putt, but the alignment process is time-consuming and adversely affects the pace of play
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment with an automated electronic system that uses photonic sensors to detect the line on the golf ball and motors to rotate and position the ball. This substitution of mechanical manual operations with electronic automation resolves the contradiction by achieving precise alignment without time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables the golf ball to align itself automatically through automated detection and rotation mechanisms. The system performs the alignment function without requiring manual intervention, allowing the ball to self-align via electronic control, thus eliminating time loss while maintaining precision.
2Ease of operation
If manual alignment is used, then the golfer can position the ball, but the small size of the ball and visual complexities make alignment difficult to complete by hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces difficult manual visual alignment with electronic photonic sensors that automatically detect the line on the ball. The sensor system overcomes the limitations of human visual perception and manual dexterity, achieving both ease of operation and high precision simultaneously through electronic automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces photonic sensors as an intermediary between the golfer and the golf ball alignment process. The sensors act as a mediator that detects the line marking and provides feedback to the control system, enabling accurate alignment without direct manual manipulation, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
3Productivity
If automated rotation and alignment is implemented, then alignment speed and precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single compact device: photonic sensors for detection, motors for rotation, control circuitry for coordination, and a release mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the device to perform alignment at high speed while containing complexity within an integrated system rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electronic control systems and photonic sensors to replace complex manual alignment procedures. The electronic automation simplifies the user interaction while achieving high alignment speed, resolving the contradiction by making the complexity internal to the device rather than external in the form of manual 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
The device significantly reduces alignment time, ensuring the golf ball's line is accurately aligned with the target, enhancing the efficiency and speed of the putting process.
Implementation Method 1
The device contains a photonic sensor, such as a CMOS sensor, which creates signals sent to the microcontroller based on the reflectivity of different wavelengths of light bounced against the loaded golf ball.
Implementation Method 2
The device includes one or more rotation motors controlled by the microcontroller for spinning the golf ball upon a fixed axis relative to the device.
Implementation Method 3
The device contains a ball loading and release mechanism which consists of electro-mechanical components used to load the golf ball into a fixed position relative to the device and releases it once the alignment process is complete.
Data Source
AI summary
A small electronic device used to perform alignment of a lined golf ball in preparation for putting. The device is battery powered and includes one or more motors for rotating the golf ball at a high speed. The device further includes one or more photonic line sensors disposed at the golf ball for identifying the line on the golf ball and for communicating with a microcontroller which coordinates the electric rotation motors to align the golf ball to the device. The electronic device also features a mechanical loading mechanism which holds the golf ball for rotation during the alignment process and releases the golf ball to the putting green without rotation when alignment is complete.