Overlapping Roller Assembly for Golf Green Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turf rollers with gaps between undercarriages result in non-uniform rolling of golf greens, leading to inconsistent surfaces, which are substandard for major tournaments, and the maneuvering of undercarriages can create marks on the greens.
Innovation Solution
A roller assembly design featuring overlapping rollers on adjacent undercarriages, where the first overlapping roller projects across at least a quarter of the rear roller and the second overlapping roller projects across at least a quarter of the front roller, ensuring continuous rolling and minimizing marks, with intermediate rollers and a steering system to manage undulations and imperfections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gaps are left between adjacent undercarriages to allow maneuvering, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to non-uniform rolling and strip unrolling
Solution Approach 1:
The undercarriage is divided into separate modular components including front roller, rear roller, and overlapping roller assemblies that can independently maneuver while maintaining continuous surface coverage. Each segment can move separately to navigate terrain while the overlapping design ensures no gaps appear in the rolling coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping roller extends beyond the standard front and rear rollers, creating a spatial overlap in the rolling coverage. This dimensional extension ensures that when undercarriages maneuver, the overlapping portions fill any potential gaps, maintaining continuous surface treatment during operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If undercarriages are allowed to maneuver for turning, then adaptability is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to marks created on the green surface
Solution Approach 1:
The front roller, rear roller, and overlapping roller are merged into a single integrated undercarriage assembly that operates as one unit. This combination ensures that during turning maneuvers, all rollers work together to distribute pressure evenly and prevent mark formation on the green surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping roller acts as an intermediary element between the front and rear rollers, providing additional contact with the green surface during maneuvering. This intermediate roller helps distribute the mechanical stress and prevents direct contact that would cause marks, while still enabling effective turning.
3Manufacturing precision
If overlapping rollers are designed to project across significant portions of front and rear rollers, then manufacturing precision is improved by eliminating gaps, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overlapping roller is designed to perform multiple functions: it fills gaps between undercarriages during straight rolling, provides additional surface contact during turning maneuvers, and distributes mechanical loads across the green surface. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering comprehensive performance benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping roller is strategically positioned to provide targeted coverage in specific areas where gaps would otherwise occur, particularly at the boundaries between adjacent undercarriages. This localized quality enhancement focuses the added complexity only where it is most needed to eliminate gaps and ensure uniform rolling.
Data Source
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AI summary
A roller assembly including: a frame; a first undercarriage connected to the frame, the first undercarriage comprising: a first body; a rear roller connected to the first body; and a first overlapping roller that is elongate and connected to the first body; and a second undercarriage connected to the frame, the second undercarriage comprising: a second body; a front roller connected to the second body; and a second overlapping roller that is elongate and connected to the second body, wherein the first undercarriage is positioned adjacent to the second undercarriage such that the first overlapping roller overlaps the second overlapping roller.