Pan-Tilt Head Mounting and Motion Limits for Stable Golf Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor device heads for golf tournaments face challenges in efficient setup, disassembly, and stability, particularly in dynamic environments, with current designs experiencing throwback and requiring complex remote control in tracking objects like golf balls in flight.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a mounting surface with a dovetail slot and positioning members, including slide stops and bias structures, for secure device mounting, and a control system with tilt and pan stop mechanisms to limit motor movement, enhancing stability and remote control capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a head uses gears and motors to move the sensor device for panning and tilting, then the sensor device can change field of view and track objects, but the head experiences throwback which limits stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical gear-based panning and tilting system with a motorized direct-drive system. The pan motor directly rotates the pan shaft to rotate the top plate, and the tilt motor directly rotates the tilt shaft to tilt the top plate, eliminating mechanical gears that cause throwback and instability while maintaining full field of view adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates limit switches that automatically stop the pan and tilt motors when the top plate reaches predetermined angular positions. This self-regulating mechanism prevents over-rotation and ensures stable positioning without requiring external intervention, thereby improving both adaptability and stability
2Ease of operation
If a head is designed for remote operation in dynamic environments, then control flexibility is improved, but the complexity of monitoring head location and synchronizing control signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates limit switches that provide feedback signals to the control system when the top plate reaches predetermined angular positions. This feedback mechanism enables automatic synchronization of control signals with head location, simplifying remote operation while maintaining control flexibility by eliminating the need for complex manual coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-regulating limit switches that automatically monitor head position and trigger motor shutdown at predetermined angles. This self-monitoring capability reduces the complexity of remote control by eliminating the need for external position tracking systems while maintaining full operational flexibility
3Productivity
If a sensor device is quickly set up and disassembled for tournaments, then productivity is improved, but mounting stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mounting system into separate modular components: a top plate with mounting surface, a sensor device with base, and independent pan-tilt mechanisms. This segmentation allows the sensor device to be quickly detached and reattached while maintaining stable mounting through precise mechanical interfaces and positioning members
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates pre-positioned positioning members and alignment features on the mounting surface that guide the sensor device base into correct alignment during attachment. This preliminary positioning action ensures rapid setup while maintaining mounting reliability by eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A head for mounting a device for tracking objects on a golf course during a golf tournament may include a control system that controls delivery of a supply of power to one or more of a tilt motor operable to drive tilt movement of a top plate of the head about a tilt axis or a pan motor operable to drive pan movement of the top plate. The control system may include one or both of a tilt stop mechanism or a pan stop mechanism configured to limit the respective tilt movement or pan movement. A quick mounting surface for mounting a sensor device to the head may be provided on the top plate.