Rolling Apparatus With Three Undercarriages Eliminating Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rolling apparatus for turf or grass surfaces leave unsightly marks due to gaps between smoothing rollers, resulting in non-uniform putting surfaces, especially for major golf tournaments.
Innovation Solution
The rolling apparatus features a mobile main frame with three undercarriages, each with smoothing rollers, and a T-shaped control frame pivotally mounted to the main frame, allowing the undercarriages to be positioned adjacent to each other without gaps, ensuring uniform rolling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple undercarriages with smoothing rollers are arranged side by side, then the rolling coverage is increased, but gaps appear between adjacent undercarriages creating unsightly marks on the green
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional side-by-side arrangement of undercarriages to a three-dimensional configuration where at least one undercarriage is positioned rearwardly or forwardly of the other two. This spatial reconfiguration in the depth dimension eliminates gaps between undercarriages in the front view while maintaining comprehensive rolling coverage across the green surface.
2Manufacturing precision
If undercarriages are positioned adjacent to each other without gaps, then uniform rolling surface is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the rolling apparatus into multiple independent undercarriages, each capable of being positioned in different spatial locations (side by side and rearwardly/forwardly). This segmentation allows each undercarriage to be independently arranged to eliminate gaps while maintaining operational simplicity and ease of maintenance.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If three undercarriages are arranged in a triangular pattern with one rearwardly positioned, then gap elimination is achieved, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single control frame that pivotally connects all three undercarriages. This unified control structure allows simultaneous adjustment of all undercarriages to maintain the optimal triangular arrangement, simplifying the control mechanism despite the complex spatial configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Rolling apparatus for rolling of turf or grass surfaces which includes a mobile main frame (11) and at least three undercarriages (61, 62, 63) attached to the main frame (11) wherein each undercarriage has one or more smoothing rollers (64) in the form of idler rollers and there is further provided a control frame for each of the undercarriages (61, 62, 63) pivotally mounted to each undercarriage wherein one (63) of said at least three undercarriages is located rearwardly or forwardly of the other two (61, 62) of said at least three undercarriages having regard to a direction of travel of the rolling apparatus. The invention is characterised in a front view of the rolling apparatus having regard to the direction of travel thereof wherein each undercarriage is located adjacent to each other presenting substantially no gaps in said front view between adjoining undercarriages or smoothing rollers attached to said undercarriages.