Portable Golf Green Indicator With Continuous Curved Tracks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf stimpmeters are large and heavy, making them less portable, and smaller versions may lack precision, while misalignment can lead to inaccurate green speed measurements.
Innovation Solution
A golf green characteristic indicator comprising a ground track and an air track, with a golf ball release mechanism, allowing for portable and precise measurement of green speed by releasing a golf ball along a continuous curved profile formed by the tracks, ensuring seamless travel and alignment with the golf green.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional golf stimpmeter is used to measure green speed, then measurement capability is provided, but the device is large and heavy, reducing portability
Solution Approach 1:
The stimpmeter is divided into separate components: a launch mechanism, a ground track with radius markings, and an air track. These segments can be carried separately and assembled at the green, significantly improving portability while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement approach transitions from a traditional linear ramp to a curved track system with radius markings. By using a circular/curved path instead of a straight line, the device achieves accurate green speed measurement through a different geometric dimension, allowing for portable design
2Ease of operation
If the ground track and air track are separated for portability, then ease of transport is improved, but alignment accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment features are pre-configured on the ground track and air track components. The ground track includes a proximal end with specific alignment markings, and the air track has corresponding alignment features at its distal end. These preliminary alignment elements ensure that when the components are assembled on the green, they automatically align correctly without requiring complex adjustment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment features act as intermediary elements between the ground track and air track. These features mediate the connection between the two separable components, ensuring precise alignment while still allowing the device to be disassembled for portability
3Reliability
If a continuous curved profile track is used to ensure seamless ball travel, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground track is configured with a specific radius of curvature (e.g., 6 inches) to create a smooth curved path for the golf ball. This curvature ensures seamless travel of the ball from the launch mechanism through the ground track and onto the air track, preventing velocity loss and improving measurement reliability. The curved geometry naturally guides the ball without abrupt transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The ground track and air track are designed to be joined together to form a continuous curved profile. By merging these two components into a seamless path, the system maintains measurement reliability while keeping the individual components simple and portable
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
Enables accurate and portable measurement of golf green characteristics by ensuring consistent and uninterrupted golf ball travel, preventing velocity loss and misalignment, thus providing reliable green speed readings.
Implementation Method 1
an air track. The air track may include a proximal end, a distal end oppositely disposed from the proximal end, and a second radius of curvature at the proximal end of the air track
Data Source
AI summary
A golf green characteristic indicator is disclosed. The golf green characteristic indicator may include a ground track and an air track configurable between a travel configuration and an indication configuration. In the travel configuration, the ground track and air track may be detached. In the indication configuration, the ground track is fixated on the golf green, while a golf ball is released from a mechanism on the air track to indicate the golf green characteristic.