Audible Miniature Golf Course

 

 

Team: Michael Ladd, Justin Smith, Daniel Choi, Sam Lu

Sponsor: The Pennsylvania Lions Beacon Lodge Camp

Technical Contact: Janet Snyder

Instructor: Timothy F. Wheeler

Course: EE 403W Fall 2001

 

  
Project Description

Our team designed a sound system for a 9-hole miniature golf course, located at the Pennsylvania Lions' Beacon Lodge Camp, in order to enable use by sight-impaired campers. Our system uses weatherproof speakers, and all electronic equipment is located underground in weatherproof containers. The underground location of the system ensures safety for campers. Our design provides a different tone for each hole for distinguishability. The tones are provided by nine electronic pitch pipes. Our design specification for volume allows tones to be heard from within 10 feet of the hole. This prevents interference between holes. Our system will provide long lasting enjoyment to the campers of Beacon Lodge.
 
Design Requirements
- Weatherproof
- Small Size
- Tones loud enough to be heard 10 feet away from hole and closer
- Tones should not interfere with each other
- Easy to use and maintain
Key Components

 

The Franz IMP 2000 Electronic Pitch Pipe (left) provides 20 different tones. This device is powered by a 9-volt battery, and is equipped with a headphone jack, which is incorporated into our design.

 

Sony's MDR-E827G Sports Series Fontopia® Ear-Bud Stereo Headphones (right) feature Sony Sports Water-Resistant Design. Sony Acoustic Twin Turbo Circuitry is also featured. The 13.5 mm diameter is small enough to meet the size restrictions imposed by the hole and conduit.

 

Radio Shack's 9-volt Battery Eliminator (left) provides a permanent power supply to the audio system. It generates 9 mA of current to overcome the lack of current limiting circuitry in the pitch pipe.

Implementation
Our system consists of 9 sub-systems. Each sub-system includes a miniature speaker, extension audio cable, electronic pitch pipe, 9-volt battery eliminator, power cable, power strip, waterproof container, and wooden housing. The miniature speaker is sealed to the bottom of the cup. The speaker is connected to the extension audio cable at the conduit opening, enabling trouble-free maintenance. The audio cable runs through the conduit, at a depth of 10 inches, from the hole to the edge of the green; here the cable enters the wooden housing and proceeds into the waterproof container. A 1-inch hole is drilled in both the wooden housing and the waterproof container. The hole in the waterproof container is sealed with Household Goop, an industrial strength contact adhesive and sealant. The audio cable connects to the pitch pipe. Power is provided to the pitch pipe through the 9-volt battery eliminator, which is connected to the power cable. The pitch pipe, battery eliminator, audio cable connection, and power cable connection are all present in the waterproof container. The power cable is buried 6-inches underground. An outlet in a metal housing located on the golf course provides power to the system. Power strips allow integration of all nine holes, and provide a central on/off switch.