Golf Ball Setting Robot With Robotic Arm and Tee Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball setting mechanisms require manual user intervention, are bulky, and inefficient, posing challenges for middle-aged or elderly players who struggle with bending and squatting, and consume valuable training time.
Innovation Solution
A robot with a movable arm, gripping mechanism, and sensors (lasers or cameras) that automates the process of setting golf balls on a tee, allowing for automatic positioning and stroke analysis, reducing manual effort and equipment size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gravitation-based solutions with manual lock release are used, then the ball can be delivered to the tee, but the preparation time increases to 20-30 seconds and the user must bend and squat after each stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs ball setting automatically without requiring user intervention. The system self-services by detecting when the ball is hit and autonomously retrieving and placing new balls on the tee, eliminating the need for users to bend and squat manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system. The robot uses mechanical arms and grippers controlled by software to perform ball retrieval and placement, substituting human physical actions with automated mechanical processes.
2Device complexity
If gravitation-based solutions are used, then ball delivery is simple, but the equipment dimensions become large and cannot be ported by the user
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is divided into separate functional modules: a base unit with ball storage, an articulated arm with gripping mechanism, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to be compact while maintaining overall functionality, reducing the total volume compared to monolithic gravitation-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an articulated robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom instead of fixed gravitational chutes. This dynamic structure allows the mechanism to adapt its configuration and occupy minimal space when not in use, reducing the equipment's footprint while maintaining ball delivery capability.
3Ease of operation
If manual ball setting is required, then the user can control the process, but middle-aged and elderly players cannot bend and squat continually
Solution Approach 1:
The robot autonomously performs all ball setting operations without requiring user physical participation. The system detects when balls are hit and automatically retrieves and places new balls, making the service accessible to users regardless of their physical capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system acts as an intermediary between the ball storage and the tee. It mediates the ball delivery process by automatically transporting balls from storage to the playing area, eliminating the need for users to physically reach or bend to retrieve balls.
4Productivity
If automatic ball dispensing is implemented, then training continuity is improved, but the equipment becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs multiple functions: ball retrieval, ball placement, stroke detection, and training analysis. By consolidating these functions into a single system, the patent achieves high training efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same robotic arm and sensors serve multiple purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors and cameras that detect ball hits and provide feedback to the control system. This automatic feedback mechanism triggers ball replacement only when needed, enabling continuous training while using simple conditional logic rather than complex continuous control.
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 robot streamlines golf practice by eliminating manual ball setting, saving time, reducing equipment size, and enabling continuous training without breaks, while providing stroke analysis and feedback.
Implementation Method 1
the gripping element is a gripper or a suction element, preferably a silicone one
Implementation Method 2
The container gravitationally forces golf balls to a site of delivery from which they may be drawn by the arm
Implementation Method 3
The determining means is a set of lasers intended to create a 3D space of the surroundings
Data Source
AI summary
A robot with a movable arm capable to drawing golf balls and setting them on a tee at the player's stand. The robot is for setting golf balls and includes an arm, a head which is connected to the arm, a controller. On the head a gripping element is arranged which is intended to grip golf balls, and the controller is equipped with a software to enable conveying a golf ball to an indicated position. The embodiments also provide a method for setting golf balls.