JP2581859B2 - Golf ball sorting device and golf ball used therefor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating various golf balls at a driving range or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In addition to golf balls which can be distinguished in appearance, such as small and large balls, dimple shapes and arrangements, as well as thread-wound balls, one-piece balls, two-piece balls, and different rebound resiliences. Balls of a type that are indistinguishable in appearance, such as balls and balls having different compressive deformation rates, have been produced and used.

[0003] In a golf practice range, the preferences of the practicers are diversifying, and there has been a demand to practice with a golf ball that is most suitable for oneself. For example, there is a demand to practice with golf balls having different compression deformation rates in order to change the flight distance. However, at the driving range,
Collect and collect all golf balls hit from the bat from the field surface. For this reason, at present, golf balls are used without being separated. Further, when the golf balls once collected are separated, there is no other way but to manually separate the golf balls by distinguishing the size, dimples and the like of the golf balls. Further, in order to distinguish different types of golf balls that are the same in appearance, marks or characters are printed on the surface of the golf balls so that they can be identified.

However, needless to say, since a huge number of golf balls are used in the driving range, it takes a lot of trouble and time to separate them by hand. It is difficult to secure such a large number of workers, and labor costs are high.

For this reason, recently, iron oxide powder or the like is kneaded into a golf ball, the golf ball is caused to flow at a constant speed, and a difference in induced current caused by a difference in concentration of the iron oxide powder is detected.
A method for distinguishing types of golf balls has been proposed.

[0006]

As described above, an automatic sorting apparatus has been demanded and proposed. However, if a sufficient amount of magnetic powder can be detected and distinguished into the rubber, the strength, durability, compressive deformation, rebound resilience, specific gravity, etc. of the rubber are impaired. For this reason, the amount of the magnetic powder to be blended is naturally limited, and the types that can be distinguished are also limited. Further, in order to detect a golf ball containing magnetic powder, the golf ball is passed through a coil, and an induced current generated at that time is detected. However, since the current value varies depending on the passing speed difference of the ball, it is difficult to distinguish the current value from the current value due to the density difference, and it is very difficult to distinguish the current value. Therefore, practical application is difficult.

The object of the present invention is to provide
An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball sorting apparatus capable of automatically sorting various kinds of golf balls.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an apparatus for identifying and separating three or more types of golf balls from each other, wherein two or more identical code marks are provided on the surface, and Using a golf ball with each code mark arranged so that the line connecting the code mark and the center of the golf ball makes an angle of 60 degrees or more and 120 degrees or less with each other, irradiate inspection light on the rotating golf ball. A light irradiator, a photoelectric device for receiving reflected light from the surface of the golf ball, a guide device installed on a traveling path for guiding different types of golf balls to separate golf ball reservoirs, and a photoelectric device. A signal processing device for processing the transmitted electric signal and sending the processed signal to the guide device, and driving the guide device. The light irradiator is provided with at least one polygon mirror. To reflect the inspection light to the polygon mirror while rotating the Gon mirror, irradiate the golf ball with the inspection light, and rotate the polygon mirror sufficiently faster than the golf ball to sweep the entire width of the rotating golf ball. The present invention relates to a golf ball sorting apparatus characterized in that a code mark is captured by the apparatus.

In the present invention, two or more identical code marks are provided on the surface, and lines connecting the respective code marks and the center of the golf ball form an angle of not less than 60 degrees and not more than 120 degrees with each other. The present invention relates to a golf ball in which each code mark is arranged as described above.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, two or more identical code marks are provided on the surface of a golf ball. This code mark is for distinguishing the type of golf ball. As a kind of golf ball, there is a one-piece ball in which a compression deformation rate and a rebound resilience rate are variously changed. These are related to the head speed and flight distance of the golf club. Also, there are cases where the structure is different depending on the structure, such as a wound ball, a one-piece ball, a two-piece ball, and a three-piece ball, and even if the same two-piece ball is used, it may be divided depending on the manufacturer.

A bar code is an example of a code mark. The bar code may use a rule pattern used for various product classifications as it is, but when there are not many types of golf balls, a combination pattern of several thick lines and thin lines is appropriately determined as a classification rule. Good. Since the barcode must be printed on the surface of a golf ball of a predetermined size, the barcode for merchandise classification is too large. For this reason, it is possible to make the size preferable in design within a range where detection is possible. As another code mark, there is a color code in which a quadrilateral is divided into a cross shape, and each of the divisions is painted black or white and combined. There is also a method in which a circle is divided into orange slices and black and white are separately applied.

According to the present invention, a rotating golf ball is irradiated, a reflected light from a code mark is received by a photoelectric element, and an electric signal from the photoelectric element is processed to identify a type of the golf ball. In order to facilitate this identification, the lines connecting each code mark and the center of the golf ball must be 60
Each code mark should be placed at an angle greater than or equal to 120 degrees and less than or equal to 120 degrees.

When irradiating the surface of a rotating golf ball with inspection light and capturing the reflected light, the code mark must pass through a region where the reflected light can be captured. This will be described with reference to FIG. 1 showing a cross section of a golf ball. It is assumed that the golf ball 1 rotates and rolls, or rotates while stopping at one place. Of these, for example, the area where a barcode can be
And This area N is assumed to be defined by straight lines K and L passing through the center O of the golf ball 1. The straight lines K and L are symmetric with respect to a horizontal line M passing through the center O. According to experiments by the inventor, the angle formed between the straight lines M and K and between M and L is about 30 degrees. The regions N and P are line-symmetric with respect to the horizontal line M.

When the golf ball 1 makes a half turn, the bar code on the surface of the region P moves to the surface of the region N. Therefore, if there is a barcode in the area N or P, the barcode can be captured.

Here, it is assumed that the bar code 2 is located very near the straight line L. Since the barcode 2 does not exist in the area P, it cannot be captured. Since it is not known in which direction the golf ball rolls, if there is only one bar code 2, there is a great possibility that it cannot be captured. Even if the second barcode is provided, if it does not enter the area N, it cannot be captured.

In summary, since the straight lines K and L are 60 degrees open, one of the two barcodes can be reliably entered under the condition that the straight line connecting the two barcodes and the center O is:
An angle of 60 degrees or more and 120 degrees or less.

Further, three or more bar codes can be provided. For example, in a golf ball 1A shown in FIG. 2, bar codes 2A, 2B, and 2C are provided. barcode
The angle between the straight lines connecting 2A and 2B and the center O is 120 degrees,
The angle between the straight lines connecting the barcodes 2B and 2C and the center O is 60 degrees.

Further, it is possible to consider an equilateral triangle inscribed in a sphere, and to arrange a bar code at its vertex. in this case,
The angle between the straight lines connecting each barcode and the center is 120 degrees. When there are four barcodes, the barcodes may be arranged at the vertices of the tetrahedron inscribed in the sphere. The angle between the line connecting each barcode and the center is 105 degrees. If there are five barcodes, the barcodes are first placed at three vertices of an equilateral triangle inscribed in the sphere. Next, a straight line orthogonal to the equilateral triangle is considered, and a barcode is arranged at the intersection of the straight line and the sphere.

When there are six bar codes, FIG.
Consider a regular hexahedron inscribed in the golf ball 1B as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows the regular hexahedron 3 by a dashed line. Then, a barcode 2D is arranged at each vertex of the regular hexahedron 3. The angle formed by the straight line connecting each bar code 2D and the center is 90 degrees.

As the inspection light, light obtained from an incandescent bulb, a light emitting diode, a laser light source or the like is used. In the case of a bar code, there is a method of scanning with a thin light beam. In this case, a laser beam which has a high intensity per unit light beam area and can obtain a thin light beam is preferable.

As the photoelectric device, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a charge-coupled device (CCD) or the like is used in addition to the silicon photodiode. At this time, the light from the code mark can be condensed by a lens in order to pick up the light or an image can be formed.
Further, when an image is formed, a method of determining the type of a code mark by vectorizing and performing signal processing by a known method can be adopted. Hereinafter, more specific examples will be described. [Embodiment 1] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a golf ball sorting apparatus, FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the principle of irradiation and detection of inspection light, and FIG.

After three-stage one-piece golf balls having high, medium and low compression deformation rates were painted white, the corresponding barcodes were printed with black ink as shown in FIG. The dimensions of the barcode were 6 mm x 6 mm. Next, a protective clear coating was applied to the surface of the golf ball. These three types of golf balls are put into the unsorted golf ball reservoir 20 shown in FIG. The golf balls are extracted from the bottom of the unsorted golf ball reservoir 20 and sent into the discriminator 19 one by one while being separated by the damper 21. The configuration of the discriminator 19 will be described later. In the identifier 19, the type of the golf ball is identified by the photoelectric element. Then, the electric signal from the photoelectric element in the discriminator 19 is processed by the signal processing device 23.

The golf ball that has exited the discriminator 19 is
Roll down inside. In the middle of the traveling path 22, the guide plates 24A, 2
4B and 24C will be provided sequentially. Under the guide plates 24A, 24B, 24C, there are provided golf ball reservoirs 25A, 25B, 25C, respectively. A golf ball reservoir 25D is provided at the end of the traveling path 22. By opening each take-out damper 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, the golf ball reservoir 25A, 25B, 25C,
Take out the golf ball in 25D.

The electric signal from the photoelectric element in the discriminator 19 is
Different depending on the type of barcode. This mechanism will be described later. The signal processing device 23 is connected to a drive motor of the guide plates 24A, 24B and 24C via an electric wire (not shown). Then, the type of the golf ball is identified based on the magnitude of the electric signal from the photoelectric element, and the signal processing device
From 23, a signal is sent to the corresponding guide plate drive motor as indicated by arrow J, and the corresponding guide plate is opened.
As a result, each golf ball falls into the corresponding golf ball reservoir 25A, 25B or 25C. If none of the guide plates are opened, the golf ball falls into the distal golf ball reservoir 25D.

Next, the configuration of the discriminator 19 will be described.
Downstream of the inlet pipe 10 of the discriminator 19, a gutter-shaped discriminating section 8 whose upper half is open is provided, and an outlet pipe 11 is provided downstream of the discriminating section 8. The outflow of the golf ball 1B from the inlet tube 10 is detected by the pair of photoelectric sensors 12. Next, the golf ball 1B continues to roll on the identification unit 8, passes through the light detection unit 9A, and enters the exit tube 11. A pair of photoelectric sensors 12 are also provided near the opening of the outlet tube 11 so as to face each other, and it is confirmed that the golf ball 1B has passed through the identification unit 19.

The main body of the identification section 19 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, in which the light detection section 9A is installed. The light detection unit 9A has a band shape and is arranged in an arch shape so as to cover above the identification unit 8. A predetermined number of photoelectric elements 13 are provided inside the light detection section 9A. The light detecting portion 9A expands near the inlet tube 10 and narrows near the outlet tube 11. Since the golf ball 1B is a sphere and a large number of dimples are formed on the surface thereof, the reflected light is scattered over a wide range.
Therefore, in this example, as described above, the surface area is large,
A light detection unit 9A having a shape that easily captures reflected light was used.

On the upper wall surface of the discriminator 19, a columnar light irradiator 18 is provided. Inside the light irradiator 18, the laser light source 4 and a pair of polygon mirrors 6A and 6B are incorporated.
These optical components are not shown in FIG.

The arrival of the golf ball 1B in the discriminating section 19 is detected by the photoelectric sensor 12, and a signal is sent from the photoelectric sensor 12 to the signal processing device 23 to start signal processing. The laser light source 4 emits laser light 5.
This laser light 5 is reflected by polygon mirrors 6B and 6A,
The golf ball 1B is scanned. A number of small plane mirrors are sharpened on the circumferential surface of the polygon mirror 6B, and the center axis R
Is rotated in the direction of arrow F. The polygon mirror 6B sweeps the golf ball 1B by the diameter in the width direction of the identification unit 8.

The polygon mirror 6B has a polygon mirror 6B
A larger plane mirror has been sharpened and is rotating in the direction of arrow E about the central axis R. This polygon mirror 6A
By this, one rotation (the length of the circumference) of the golf ball 1B is swept. During this scanning, the golf ball 1B continues to roll while rotating in the direction of arrow G, so that the polygon mirrors 6B and 6A are rotated sufficiently faster than the golf ball 1B to quickly sweep the golf ball 1B. To capture the barcode.

The inspection light (laser light) 5 is a golf ball.
Reflected on the surface of 1B. The reflected light 7 is captured by the photoelectric element 13 of the light detection section 9A. When the photoelectric sensor 12 captures that the golf ball has left the identification unit 19, the signal processing completion signal is sent to the signal processing device 23. Since at least one barcode information has been obtained so far, this barcode information is collated with the information stored in the signal processing device 23 and processed.
When a plurality of barcode information are obtained, only the first one is adopted.

As described above, by operating the sorting device, a golf ball having a high compressive deformation rate is stored in the golf ball reservoir 25.
A into the golf ball reservoir 25B
And the one with low compression deformation rate was successfully put into the golf ball reservoir 25C.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the discriminator 19
Inside, the mechanism shown in FIG. 7 was installed. Otherwise, the golf balls were separated in the same manner as in Example 1. In FIG. 7, a pair of elongated support rods 14 are provided between an inlet pipe 10 and an outlet pipe (not shown). Each of the pair of support rods 14 rotates in the arrow I direction. At an end of the support rod 14, a stop plate 15 is installed so as to be rotatable in the arrow J direction.

In the light irradiator 18 (see FIG. 6), the laser light source 4 and the polygon mirror 6C are provided. Above the pair of rotating rods 14, a strip-shaped light detecting portion 9B is installed in an arch shape from one end of the rotating rod 14 to the other end. On the inner surface of the light detection unit 9B, the photoelectric elements 13 are provided in a row in the length direction of the light detection unit 9B.

When the golf ball 1B comes out of the inlet tube 10, the golf ball 1B is supported between the pair of rotating rods 14. If the stop plate 15 is raised at this stage, the golf ball 1B collides with the stop plate 15 and stops, and at this stop position, the golf ball 1B rotates with the pair of rotary rods 14 in the direction of arrow I. The polygon mirror 6C rotates around the central axis R at high speed in the direction of arrow H.

The laser light (scanning light) 5 emitted from the laser light source 4 is reflected by the plane mirror of the rotating polygon mirror 6C, and is also applied to the surface of the rotating golf ball 1B. The reflected light 7 from the golf ball surface
Is detected by the photoelectric element 13. By rotating the polygon mirror 6C, an area corresponding to the diameter of the golf ball 1B is scanned. The rotation speed of the polygon mirror 6C is set sufficiently higher than the rotation speed of the golf ball 1B. When the detection of the barcode information is completed, the stop plate 15 is turned sideways, the golf ball 1B is caused to run again, and is sent into the outlet pipe.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, various kinds of golf balls can be automatically separated without requiring any manpower. In addition, the physical properties of the golf ball are not adversely affected, and the measurement result does not change depending on the running speed of the golf ball.

Further, a code mark such as a bar code printed on the surface of a golf ball is only a combination of several black and white portions, and it is difficult to distinguish the code mark even when viewed from close. Moreover, without a comparison table, the type of golf ball cannot be known from the code mark. Therefore, the type of the golf ball can be hidden from other trainees.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an angle between a plurality of barcodes and a center O.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a golf ball 1A.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a golf ball 1B.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a golf ball sorting device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal configuration of the identification unit 19.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an identification unit 19.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another barcode detection mechanism that can be used for the identification unit 19;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1A, 1B Golf ball 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D Bar code 4 Laser light source 5 Laser light (example of inspection light) 6A, 6B, 6C Polygon mirror 7 Reflected light 9A, 9B Photodetector 12 Photoelectric sensor 13 Photoelectric element 14 A pair of rotating rods 15 Stop plate 18 Light irradiator 19 Identifier 22 Roadway 23 Signal processor 24A, 24B, 24C Guide plate 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D Golf ball reservoir M Horizontal line passing through center O N, P Area where barcode can be captured O Center of golf ball

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An apparatus for identifying and separating three or more types of golf balls from each other, wherein two or more identical code marks are provided on a surface of each of the code marks and a center of the golf ball. Using a golf ball on which each code mark is arranged so that lines connecting them form an angle of 60 degrees or more and 120 degrees or less, a light irradiator for irradiating the rotating golf ball with inspection light, and a golf ball. A photoelectric element for receiving light reflected from the surface of the ball, a guiding device installed on a traveling path for guiding different kinds of golf balls to separate golf ball reservoirs, and processing an electric signal sent from the photoelectric element And a signal processing device for driving the guide machine. The light irradiator is provided with at least one polygon mirror. While rotating the golf ball, the inspection light is reflected on a polygon mirror and then the golf ball is irradiated with the inspection light, and the polygon mirror is rotated sufficiently faster than the golf ball to rotate the golf ball. A golf ball sorting device, wherein the code mark is captured by sweeping the entire width. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polygon mirror is provided with at least two polygon mirrors. 2. The golf ball sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least the length of the circumference of the golf ball is swept in a running direction of the ball. 3. The running golf ball is stopped by a stop plate, and the rotating golf ball stopped by the stop plate is swept by the polygon mirror over the entire width of the golf ball. The golf ball sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball is separated from a golf ball passage. 4. The code mark according to claim 1, wherein the code mark is a code mark that divides a plane figure into a plurality of sections and paints each section black or white.
The golf ball sorting device according to claim 1. 5. A golf ball for use in the golf ball sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two or more identical code marks are provided on a surface of each of the code marks and a center of the golf ball. A golf ball, wherein the code marks are arranged such that lines connecting the marks form an angle of not less than 60 degrees and not more than 120 degrees.