Golf Club Shaft Sensing for Grip Force Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf club analysis systems do not account for the force with which a user holds the grip, affecting the accuracy of swing analysis.
Innovation Solution
A grip force estimation device attached to the shaft of a golf club detects bending and twisting to estimate grip pressure through a sensor that outputs a sensor signal, extracts feature data from the signal, and estimates grip force using a simple structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor device is attached to the grip portion of sports equipment, then grip force can be directly measured, but the device structure becomes more complex and may interfere with the user's natural grip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the shaft as an intermediary element to transmit grip force information from the grip portion to the sensor. Instead of attaching the sensor directly to the grip, the sensor is placed on the shaft where it can detect bending caused by grip force through the columnar portion's elastic deformation, thus avoiding direct interference with the user's grip while still achieving measurement
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect various parameters, then measurement accuracy improves, but the device becomes more complex and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single sensor on the shaft perform multiple functions: it detects bending to determine grip force, detects twisting to analyze swing mechanics, and provides timing information for the swing sequence. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized sensors while maintaining comprehensive swing analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts multiple features from the sensor signal by analyzing different parameters of the same physical quantity (bending/twisting). By analyzing waveform characteristics, attenuation rates, and timing of the single sensor's output, the system derives grip force, swing speed, and swing timing without needing multiple sensors
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is attached at the grip portion, then grip force detection is more accurate, but the sensor signal becomes more complex and harder to interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts specific feature data from the complex sensor waveform by identifying key characteristics such as the attenuation rate of the bending signal and the timing of waveform peaks. This extraction process isolates the relevant grip force information from the complex multi-dimensional sensor output, making it easier to interpret while maintaining accuracy
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
Accurately detects whether the grip is properly held, providing feedback on grip force and improving swing analysis accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
detect at least one of bending and twisting of the sports equipment and output detected bending and/or twisting as a sensor signal
Implementation Method 2
extract feature data including a feature when a waveform generated by the hitting portion Being externally applied with pressure is attenuated
Data Source
AI summary
A grip force estimation device includes a sensor that is attached to sports equipment including a columnar portion having a grip portion at one end and a hitting portion connected to the columnar portion and is attached not at the grip portion but at the columnar portion, and that is configured to detect at least one of bending and twisting of the sports equipment and output detected bending and/or twisting as a sensor signal, a feature data extraction unit configured to extract feature data including a feature when a waveform generated by the hitting portion being externally applied with pressure is attenuated by using the sensor signal, and a grip force estimation unit configured to estimate pressure applied to the grip portion by using the feature data.