Golf Cup Lighting Fixture with Serviceable Light Source Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional golf cup lighting systems require removal and reinstallation to access and replace the light source, which disturbs soil compaction and turf, and often necessitate separate transformers for each hole, making maintenance cumbersome and space inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A golf cup lighting fixture with a cylindrical golf-ball cup installed in the ground, allowing light source replacement without removing the cup, and a shared electrical connection system to reduce the need for multiple transformers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the light source is accessed by removing the golf cup, then the light source can be replaced, but the soil compaction and turf are disturbed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight source replacementVSAvoidsoil disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate components: the golf cup remains installed in the ground while the light source housing and light source are accessible through a serviceable opening. This segmentation allows the light source to be replaced without removing or disturbing the golf cup, thus avoiding soil disturbance while enabling easy maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If separate transformers are used for each hole, then each light source can be independently powered, but the space required for transformers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent power supplyVSAvoidtransformer space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple golf cup lighting fixtures are electrically connected in parallel to share a common transformer. The electrical connection system allows power to be distributed to multiple fixtures through a single transformer located in a central position, reducing the total space required compared to having separate transformers for each fixture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of repair

If the golf cup is removed for maintenance, then the light source can be accessed, but the installation process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight source accessVSAvoidmaintenance process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light source housing and light source are extracted as separate, serviceable components from the golf cup assembly. A serviceable opening is provided in the golf cup that allows the light source housing to be removed and the light source to be replaced without removing the entire golf cup from the ground, simplifying the maintenance process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Illumination intensity

If a conventional lighting system is used, then illumination is provided, but the system requires frequent maintenance and has high operational costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehole illuminationVSAvoidmaintenance efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional mechanical lighting system is replaced with an LED-based lighting system that provides the same illumination function but with significantly reduced maintenance requirements and operational costs. The LED light source has longer lifespan and lower energy consumption, improving overall system productivity and reducing maintenance frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11833399B2Golf cup lighting fixture

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 NITE PUTTER PRO LLC

AI summary

This disclosure provides a golf cup lighting fixture. The system includes a cup, a light source, a catch removeably coupled to the cup. The system also includes a cover located below the catch which covers the light source. The light source is accessible when the catch and cover are removed. The cup can be placed in a hole and then the light source illuminates the hole. A golfer can see the illuminated hole. Replacing the light source, or performing maintenance, is enhanced as the cup need not be removed to conduct such maintenance.