Movable Surface Elements for Golf Green Contour Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf simulation systems lack realism and challenge, particularly for short game practice, as they typically provide a flat and level surface that does not accurately represent the contours of actual golf greens.
Innovation Solution
A golf simulation system with a configurable upper surface featuring a plurality of movable surface elements that can adjust to create various contours, simulating the irregularities of real golf greens, including raised positions and complex terrain, using a covering support assembly with movable positioning elements and actuators to change the surface topology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a flat and level surface is used for golf simulation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the realism and challenge of the simulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The green surface is divided into multiple independently movable surface elements (tiles) that can be individually positioned to create various contour configurations. Each surface element can be raised or lowered relative to others, allowing the simulation of different green contours including breaks, slopes, and undulations without requiring a completely complex monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface elements are made dynamically adjustable through actuators that can change the vertical position of each element. This allows the green contour to be reconfigured between different shot simulations, providing variable realism levels while maintaining a relatively simple base structure when in neutral position.
2Reliability
If multiple movable surface elements are used to create contours, then the simulation realism is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each surface element serves multiple functions: it forms part of the green surface, can be independently positioned to create various contours, and works in conjunction with adjacent elements to produce complex terrain features. The actuators also serve dual purposes by controlling both the vertical position and the contour configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface elements are arranged in a grid pattern where each element is surrounded by neighboring elements, creating a nested structure. The actuators are positioned within or beneath the surface elements, with control systems nested within the overall apparatus structure, allowing compact integration of multiple functional components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If surface elements are made movable to adjust top surface position, then the adaptability of the simulation is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuators automatically control the vertical positioning of surface elements based on pre-programmed configurations corresponding to different golf shots. The system self-adjusts the green contour without requiring manual intervention, eliminating the need for operators to physically manipulate each surface element while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system monitors the position of each surface element and adjusts actuator commands to achieve the desired green contour configuration. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate reproduction of various green conditions while simplifying operation, as the system automatically corrects positioning errors and maintains stable configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A green simulation apparatus having a configurable upper surface with a changeable contour may comprise a covering forming the upper surface and a covering support assembly configured to support the covering. The support assembly may comprise a plurality of movable positioning elements having the covering resting thereon and positioned in an array extending in a reference plane and movable along axes extending substantially perpendicular to the reference plane. The support assembly may comprise a movement actuator configured to move at least one of the positioning elements independently of other positioning elements in the array. The plurality of positioning elements may include active positioning elements and passive positioning elements, with the active positioning elements being associated with a movement actuator and the passive positioning elements not being associated with a movement actuator.