RFID Golf Ball Testing Apparatus with Star Wheel and Kicker Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The frequent use of RFID-equipped golf balls leads to a high likelihood of RFID tag malfunction, necessitating efficient testing systems to ensure accurate and quick scanning, while existing systems face challenges with variability and mechanical stress, impacting speed and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball testing apparatus utilizing a star wheel unit, RFID readers, sensors, and kickers, with a controller to manage the flow and orientation of golf balls through read zones, reducing cross-talk and mechanical forces, and incorporating a modular design for flexibility and reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single RFID reader is used with alternately directed golf balls, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to cross-talk and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reading process into separate time slots for different golf ball paths. The single RFID reader alternates between reading tags on balls in different paths, with each path receiving dedicated attention during its time slot. This temporal segmentation eliminates cross-talk and interference while maintaining a simple single-reader configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by alternating the RFID reader's attention between different golf ball paths in a regular cycle. The reader reads tags on balls in path 1, then path 2, then path 3, and repeats this sequence. This periodic switching ensures each ball receives adequate reading time without requiring multiple simultaneous readers.
2Ease of operation
If golf balls are directed through inclined rails under gravity, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to variability in ball flow and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gravity-based inclined rail system with a star wheel mechanism. The star wheel positively engages each golf ball and advances it through the testing position in controlled increments. This mechanical substitution eliminates the variability inherent in gravity-fed systems while maintaining ease of operation through automatic cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The star wheel performs preliminary action by pre-positioning each golf ball in a known, consistent location before RFID reading occurs. The ball is advanced to a specific position on the star wheel where its orientation and location are controlled, ensuring reliable reading conditions without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
3Productivity
If multiple paths are used for parallel testing, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional kickers and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple kickers into a single kicker located at the end of the star wheel assembly. After RFID reading is complete for all paths, the single kicker directs balls from all paths into collection bins. This consolidation maintains multi-path productivity while significantly reducing the number of active components required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system resolves the complexity issue by transitioning from horizontal distribution of multiple kickers to a vertical/time-based solution. All paths converge at a single location where a single kicker operates, utilizing the time dimension (sequential operation) rather than requiring simultaneous horizontal distribution of multiple kicking mechanisms.
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
This system enables efficient, accurate, and quick scanning of RFID tags, reducing mechanical stress, increasing apparatus longevity, and minimizing operator risk, while facilitating easy setup and part swapping or upgrades.
Implementation Method 1
the star wheel unit being positioned to drop the golf balls into respective paths through the read zones
Implementation Method 2
one or more RFID readers having associated read zones for the golf balls
Implementation Method 3
kickers including at least one kicker positioned after each respective path through the read zones and arranged to change a golf ball's direction of travel when the at least one kicker is activated
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and apparatus for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) golf ball testing include, in at least one aspect, an apparatus including: one or more RFID readers having associated read zones; a star wheel unit defining cavities to receive golf balls; golf ball sensors including at least one sensor for each respective path through the read zones; kickers including at least one kicker positioned after each respective path through the read zones and arranged to change a golf ball's direction of travel when the at least one kicker is activated; and a controller coupled with the kickers, the golf ball sensors, and the one or more RFID readers, wherein the controller is configured to activate any of the kickers responsive to the one or more RFID readers inadequately reading an RFID tag in a golf ball detected by the at least one sensor for that kicker's associated path through a read zone.