Golf Ball 3-Axis Magnetometer Impact Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for determining the impact location of a golf ball on a golf club head during a golf swing are limited, as they rely on external devices that are expensive and do not provide accurate measurements of spin and trajectory from within the golf ball.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball equipped with a 3-axis magnetometer that detects the impact location by measuring the magnetic field changes caused by the golf club head's ferrous materials, allowing for accurate determination of impact location and spin measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external devices like Trackman and GC Quad are used to measure golf shot data, then measurement accuracy and completeness are improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The golf ball itself performs the measurement function by equipping it with a magnetometer that detects club head impact characteristics. The ball uses its own internal sensors to measure magnetic field changes during impact, eliminating the need for external measurement devices and their associated costs and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetometer acts as an intermediary between the golf ball and the club head, detecting magnetic field changes caused by the ferrous materials in the club head during impact. This intermediary sensor enables measurement of impact location and spin without requiring external tracking systems.
2Loss of information
If RFID circuitry is used to track golf ball position, then ball identification and location tracking are improved, but impact location measurement capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetometer serves multiple functions: it detects impact location, measures spin rate, and identifies the ball itself. By combining these functions into a single sensor system within the ball, the invention achieves both identification and impact measurement capabilities that RFID alone cannot provide.
3Measurement precision
If electronics are embedded within the golf ball, then impact measurement capability is improved, but ball durability and feel reproducibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The electronics are localized to a specific region within the ball (the magnetometer and associated circuitry in the core or mantle), allowing impact measurement capability while keeping the rest of the ball structure intact to maintain standard durability and feel characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate measurement of spin and impact location from within the golf ball, providing valuable data for golfers and eliminating the need for expensive external devices, while maintaining the durability and feel of a standard golf ball.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the magnetic field changes caused by the golf club head's ferrous materials
Implementation Method 2
A golf ball equipped with a 3-axis magnetometer that detects the impact location by measuring the magnetic field changes
Data Source
AI summary
A 3-axis magnetometer inside a golf ball to detect the impact location on golf club heads that contain ferrous materials is disclosed herein. Key aspects of a golf shot are determined from within the golf ball itself. A magnetometer, preferably running at 85 Hz, inside a golf ball is able to measure spins of 5000 RPM. An integrated circuit comprises a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and a BLUETOOTH low energy (BTLE) radio, and at least one battery. A body is composed of an epoxy material, and the body encompasses the integrated circuit.