AU2008101059A4 - Automated golf cart - Google Patents

Description

1 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Name of Applicant: Ahmet Burak Simsek Actual Inventor: Ahmet Burak Simsek Address for Service: IP Monopoly Services P.O.Box 1210 CRONULLA NSW 2230 Invention Title: AUTOMATED GOLF CART Details of Associated Application No(s).: Provisional Appin. No. 2008903879 Filed 29 July 2008 The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing the invention known to the inventor- 2 AUTOMATED GOLF KART The 'automated golf kart' is a specially designed 4 wheeled device which requires no human input to physically carry golf bags or golf equipment. HOW IT WORKS, The 'automated golf kart' is designed to eliminate any type of stress on the user by powering itself through the golf course. By using synchronised transmission signals via receivers and transmitters, the 'automated golf kart' will follow the user around the golf course automatically, allowing him/her to concentrate on the game. The path that the 'automated golf kart' will follow is determined by where the user walks. This is made possible by attaching an external device onto the users waist or belt (most stable locations), which constantly sends signals to the 'automated golf kart' which then sends power to the electric motors respectively. FEATURES, The main features include; e Automatic tracking and follow user - Fully foldable * Voice commands * Remote commands (Belt on device) * 5 directional navigations (Forward, pitch right, pitch left, stop, reverse) * Large all terrain wheels * Powerful all terrain motors * Drink cooler * Ball cleaner * Locking mechanisms for stand-by use * Vehicle adaptors (12 volt car charger adaptor) 3 DEVICES, It consists of 3 important devices. These devices are the (1) main motors, which are controlled by the second device; (2) main control computer, which accepts commands from the third device; (3) the human interface device. (1) The main motors power the golf kart. They also control the turning pitch and direction. By using the 'war tank' property, the two motors located at the back will turn in different speeds to direct the kart in which ever direction its required to go. For example; if the kart required turn/pitch right, the motor located on the right wheel will slow down gradually. And at this time while the right wheel slows down, the left wheel will start to gradually speed up causing the kart to turn right or pitch right. And vice versa. (2) The main control computer judges (according to the received signals), the amount of power sent to the two motors, Referring to the description of the turning properties above, the main control computer system controls how fast or slow the motors will turn, also affecting the turn pitch and speed of the kart, (3) The human interface device which is located on the user (hooked on the belt or pants), sends signals to the main control computer system. These signals tell the control computer the direction it needs to go. Depending on where the user walks, the human interface device will send signals accordingly. The human interface device also has separate command buttons, SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. I is a side view of a golf cart of a first preferred system of the invention in a folded position. Fig. 2 is a side view of the golf cart shown in Fig. 1 in a ready position. Fig. 3 is a front view of the golf cart shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a top view of the motor, gearbox and battery layout as described under Layout Ref. 1. A. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of part of the motor, gearbox and battery layout shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 Is a top view of the electronics layout of the golf cart shown in Fig, 2; with "Ref. 1" identifying the location of the motor, gearbox and battery layout; with "Ref. 2" Identifying the seat collapsing and lock feature; with "Ref. 3" identifying the hinge layout; and with "Ref. 4" identifying the sensor layout. Fig. 7 is a top view of the electronics layout of the motor, gearbox and battery layout shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and as described under Layout Ref. 1. B. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of part of the seat collapsing and lock feature shown In Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is an isolated view of part of the golf cart shown in Fig. 2 showing the location of the hinge layout. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of part of the hinge layout shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an isolated view of part of the golf cart shown in Fig. 2 showing the location of the sensor layout. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a human interface transmission device that is used in the first preferred system of the invention. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 12 connected to a belt strap. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the golf cart shown in Fig. 2, with the front arms of the golf cart shown nearest to the viewer. Fig. 15 is an isolated view of part of the golf cart shown In Fig. 14 showing a display module located at the top of the golf cart chassis, the display module being part of a human interface display device. Fig. 16 is an enlarged view of the display module shown in Fig. 15 showing some displayed Information and a solar panel at the top of the display module.

S The Automated Golf Kart Motor, Gearbox & Battery Layout Ref- 1 A (1) Gearbox. Contains gears and sprockets attached to the wheel shaft to increase power provided by the engine enabling correct speeds at hth torque. Effective for heavy golf bags or items. (2) Eiectronics box houses all electronic devices. Main compute, speed controller, battery etc.., (3) Motor. Powers gear box. Moves/powers kart (4) Release hinge. Separates Electronics box from kart. Battery is require to be removed from the kart unit to be charged. (5) Wheel shaft. (6) Wheelt (7) Right arm. Layout Ref. L.B; (1) Battery. Any battery between 1 2 -24v (2) Speed controller. Gains power from battery connection (c) Controls motor speed to suit user walk speed. (3) Main computer. Registers signals received from the front sensor and controls the speed accordingly Connecd (c) to (4) signal distributor powered by (2) speed controller gains signals from sensor via connection (c) to sensor. (4) Signal distributor. Basic device splits signals to the requiwd destination 5 via connections (c). Also act as a fsse box cutting off random high currents which might destroy iuertal etectronif (5) Connection to motor from (4) signal distributor Conains (-) terminal, terminal and (11) earth terminal. (6) Connecion Pins-. Connects to Gearbox and motor unit (7) Female sockets. Connects with Glectrnio box. (8) Motor connection (9) Earth connection (10) Motor connection (11) Motor (12) Outer shell (13) Outer shell (14) Slide connectors- Connect to the sensor terminals when locked into position and connected with gearbox and motor unit. (25) Sensor signals/cable.

7 The Automated Golf Kart Seat Collapsing & Lock Feature; (1) Locking Pin runs all the way through the slide. The user wilt determine how wide he/she desires kart to be. (For baJance- the kart can only run at a reasonable width) (2) SLIDE, runs through pin. The 'slide' aflows collapse and choice of width.

8 The Automated Golf Kart Hinge Layout; (1) Main hinge. Has shaft running all the way through. The main hinge also has a gear lock system which locks in af the arms in place as well as the cradle (or) seat arms in place. (2) Rear arm attached to the hinge and locks in with (3) front arm. (3) Front arm attached to hinge and with rear arm (2) (4) Back seat arm attached to hinge and font bar (5) (5) Front bar which holds the weight of golf kart is attached to the hinge shaft and to the back seat arm (4) (6) Stopper. When the seat is bent to the right angle the stopper holds both the arms in the place allowing the user to lock it in position, (7) Stopper. As above but for use with wheel arms.

9 The Automated Golf Kart Sensor Layout; (1) Sensor. Receives signals from the human interface device- Sensors send signals to the main computer by using wires which are connected to the main computer terminals. (2) Wires connected to the sensor send received signals to the main computer. (3) Front arm (4) Shaft (5) Wheel t0 The Automated Golf Kart Human Interface/Transmition Device; (1) Device (2) Device Battery life indicator (3) Automated Golf Kart battery life indicator (4) Command buttons (5) Belt strap

Claims (5)

1. An automated golf cart system comprising: (a) a golf cart having a load bearing frame, wheels connected to the frame for mobility, one or more electric motor for rotating at least some of the wheels, computer means for controlling the operation of the or each electric motor upon receiving a signal remote of the cart, and (b) a transmitter fitted to a person the golf cart is to follow for transmitting the signal, whereby the transmission of the signal causes the golf cart to follow the person.

2. The automated golf cart system of claim I wherein the steering of the golf cart is controlled by the computer means causing the or each electric motor to vary the rotational speed of the wheels.

3. The automated golf cart system of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the frame includes articulating points for allowing it to fold to a closed position.

4. The automated golf cart system of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the transmitter is attached to a belt worn by the person.

5. The automated golf cart system of any one of claims I to 4 wherein the golf cart includes a human interface display device for displaying operating parameters of the system.