Handheld Golf Alignment Aid with Shoe Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current alignment aids for golfers are difficult to handle and transport, and existing systems are not effective in providing advance indications for optimizing the alignment before a golf stroke, often relying on retrospective analysis rather than real-time adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device with a direction finding device and sensor systems in the shoes to determine the target vector and position vector, checking the included angle between them, and providing visual, acoustic, or vibration signals for correct alignment, allowing golfers to adjust before the stroke without needing to hold the device during alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a golfer uses a handheld alignment device with sensor systems in shoes to determine target vector and position vector, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment system is divided into separate functional modules: direction finding device in the handheld device for target acquisition, sensor systems embedded in shoes for position detection, and a processing unit for vector calculation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device serves multiple functions: it acts as a direction finding device to determine target vector, displays alignment information to the golfer, and processes data from the shoe-mounted sensor systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and simplifies the overall system.
2Loss of information
If a golfer uses retrospective analysis systems with GPS and sensors during or after strokes, then stroke analysis capability is improved, but the ability to provide advance indications for optimization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs alignment verification before the golfer executes the stroke. The direction finding device determines the target vector in advance, and the sensor systems detect the position vector before the swing begins, allowing the golfer to adjust alignment prior to the stroke rather than analyzing it afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to the golfer during the addressing phase by comparing the position vector from shoe sensors with the target vector from the direction finding device. This immediate feedback allows the golfer to make corrective adjustments to alignment before executing the stroke.
3Measurement precision
If a golfer must hold the alignment device during alignment, then measurement capability is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor systems in the shoes automatically detect the golfer's position and calculate the position vector without requiring the golfer to manually hold or position any device. The system serves itself by using the golfer's own body position as the measurement reference, eliminating the need for manual device handling during alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment aid for a golfer includes a handheld device with a direction finding device for determining a target vector (V1) with respect to a sighted target, a sensor device for determining a position vector (V2) as a measure of an instantaneous alignment of the golfer, and a display device. The alignment aid is operable to check an included angle (a) between the target vector (V1) and the position vector (V2) and to output a good signal (G) to the display device upon a successful check of the included angle.