I am building an indoor course and I would like the ball to trigger a recording when it falls through the hole. Please help, thank you!
Miniature Golf DYI Project
- Thread starter sparebusbys
- Start date
Build an infrared emitter/detector pair into a pipe section as a beam break sensor and connect to a player module such as this:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13720
This won't differentiate golf balls from other objects so beware of cheaters.
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13720
This won't differentiate golf balls from other objects so beware of cheaters.
MrSoftware
- Joined Oct 29, 2013
- 2,202
Just to add one more option for fun, you could also use an ultrasonic proximity sensor. Or put a force sensitive resistor in the bottom of the cup to detect the weight of the ball.
They all have caveats. Infrared can get dirty and require a lens cleaning (wipe it off). A mechanical switch is possibly the easiest to implement, but can get physically worn out. An ultrasonic sensor might be the most difficult to implement. The FSR might be the least reliable, especially laying in the bottom of the cup. Lots of options though.
I would personally go the IR route. Here are some IR proximity sensors that might work in combination with the MP3 board that @KJ6EAD linked above.
http://www.kr4.us/infrared
Edit --> There are 2 types of IR sensors that I'm aware of. One has a slot, and an IR beam is sent across the slot. When the beam is broken, the sensor is tripped. Like this:
http://www.kr4.us/photo-interrupter-gp1a57hrj00f.html
The other type has both the IR emitter and receiver next to each other, and when an object passes in front of it the receiver catches the reflection when the IR shines on the object. Like this:
http://www.kr4.us/sharp-gp2y0d810z0f-digital-distance-sensor-10cm.html
I myself would try the second option, though I would not be surprised if you need more than one per cup at different locations to be sure you can detect the ball in all possible positions around the cup. Also the inside of the cup might need to be painted flat black to prevent reflections when no ball is present.
They all have caveats. Infrared can get dirty and require a lens cleaning (wipe it off). A mechanical switch is possibly the easiest to implement, but can get physically worn out. An ultrasonic sensor might be the most difficult to implement. The FSR might be the least reliable, especially laying in the bottom of the cup. Lots of options though.
I would personally go the IR route. Here are some IR proximity sensors that might work in combination with the MP3 board that @KJ6EAD linked above.
http://www.kr4.us/infrared
Edit --> There are 2 types of IR sensors that I'm aware of. One has a slot, and an IR beam is sent across the slot. When the beam is broken, the sensor is tripped. Like this:
http://www.kr4.us/photo-interrupter-gp1a57hrj00f.html
The other type has both the IR emitter and receiver next to each other, and when an object passes in front of it the receiver catches the reflection when the IR shines on the object. Like this:
http://www.kr4.us/sharp-gp2y0d810z0f-digital-distance-sensor-10cm.html
I myself would try the second option, though I would not be surprised if you need more than one per cup at different locations to be sure you can detect the ball in all possible positions around the cup. Also the inside of the cup might need to be painted flat black to prevent reflections when no ball is present.
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