Golf Cup Illumination via Wireless Inductive Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golfers face reduced visibility of golf holes during early mornings, evenings, and inclement weather conditions, limiting their ability to play effectively due to low lighting.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated golf cup insert assembly with a light-emitting system powered by a rechargeable battery, featuring a wireless charging mechanism, accelerometer, optical sensor, and wireless communication module, which enhances visibility and can be integrated with golf flags for power transfer and color coding, along with removable lighting systems for golf greens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light-emitting elements are added to illuminate the golf cup, then visibility of the golf hole is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the golf cup assembly: illumination (light-emitting elements), power storage (rechargeable battery), power transfer (wireless charging mechanism), sensing (accelerometer and optical sensor), and communication (wireless communications module). This integration resolves the contradiction by consolidating what would otherwise be separate devices into a single unified system, improving visibility while managing complexity through functional integration rather than adding separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The golf cup assembly is designed as a multi-functional device that performs illumination, power storage, wireless charging, motion sensing, optical sensing, and wireless communication simultaneously. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to improve visibility of the golf hole while avoiding the need for multiple separate devices, thereby managing device complexity through versatile integration.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a rechargeable battery is incorporated into the cup assembly, then illumination duration is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rechargeable battery is integrated directly into the golf cup assembly, merging power storage with the illumination system. This integration ensures continuous illumination capability without requiring external power sources or complex power distribution systems, thereby extending illumination duration while managing complexity through compact integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless charging mechanism enables the rechargeable battery to be recharged automatically when placed on the charging surface, eliminating the need for manual battery replacement or complex wired charging connections. This self-service charging approach extends the operational duration of the illumination while keeping the system simple and user-friendly.
3Ease of operation
If wireless charging mechanism is added to the cup assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical wired charging connection is replaced with a wireless charging mechanism that uses electromagnetic induction. This substitution eliminates the need for physical plug-and-socket connections, making the recharging process simpler and more convenient for users while placing the charging surface on the ground rather than requiring complex wiring within the cup assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless charging mechanism acts as an intermediary between the power source and the rechargeable battery, enabling power transfer without direct physical contact. This intermediary approach simplifies the user interface by eliminating the need for manual battery removal and plugging, while the charging function is distributed to the ground-based charging surface.
4Measurement precision
If accelerometer and optical sensor are added to detect ball entry, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer and optical sensor are combined within the same golf cup assembly to work together for detecting ball entry. The accelerometer detects the mechanical impact while the optical sensor detects changes in light patterns, and their combined data provides more precise measurement of ball entry events. This merging of sensing functions improves measurement precision while managing complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerometer and optical sensor provide feedback signals to the control circuit, which processes the information to determine when a ball has entered the cup. This feedback mechanism allows for precise detection by cross-referencing data from both sensors, improving measurement accuracy while the integrated control system manages the complexity of processing multiple sensor inputs.
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 solution significantly improves visibility of golf holes and flags in low-light conditions, allowing golfers to play more effectively and safely, while also providing convenient recharging and communication features.
Implementation Method 1
A light assembly is fixed to the underside of the top cup and includes a plurality of light-emitting elements oriented to shine through the bottom of the cup
Implementation Method 2
The flag may include an array of photovoltaic cells near or along its top portion and a conductor assembly on its base for creating an electrical connection to the cup assembly and transferring power to the rechargeable battery
Implementation Method 3
The flag includes one or more optical fibers for conveying light from the cup assembly to the top region of the flag
Implementation Method 4
The cup assembly can also include an accelerometer configured to modify the lights when a ball enters the cup portion and strikes the bottom surface of the cup
Implementation Method 5
The cup assembly may also include an optical sensor (e.g., a photocell) configured to turn the lights off when the ambient light around the cup exceeds a predetermined threshold
Implementation Method 6
the cup assembly includes a wireless charging mechanism to allow the rechargeable battery to be charged without the need for a wired connector. For example, this mechanism may use inductive power transfer to achieve this recharging capability
Data Source
AI summary
A golf lighting system includes a golf cup light assembly having a cup housing sized to fit within a golf cup hole and a light source disposed within the housing and configured to illuminate a cup-shaped portion of the housing. The system also includes a plurality of partially removable lighting devices, each of which having a base portion fixed within the ground and a removable, riser-mounted light.