Golf Club Head Customization via Sensor Data and Mass Inserts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf club customization methods require specialized equipment and time-consuming processes, making them expensive and inaccessible to casual golfers, as they often necessitate dedicated fitting sessions that take days or weeks to complete.
Innovation Solution
A customizable golf club system that includes sensors and interchangeable mass inserts, allowing users to generate operating data during swings and determine optimal mass configurations and orientations for quick customization, enabling on-the-fly adjustments without specialized equipment or extended time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional specialized fitting equipment and dedicated fitting sessions are used, then customization precision and quality are improved, but time consumption and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fitting equipment with electronic sensors and computational algorithms. Swing characteristics are captured using sensors that measure parameters like swing speed, angle, and trajectory, then processed by a fitting algorithm to determine optimal club specifications. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic and computational systems enables quick customization without specialized fitting equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital model or representation of the user's swing characteristics through sensor data collection. This digital copy of swing parameters is then used by the fitting algorithm to determine club specifications, eliminating the need for physical trial-and-error fitting sessions with multiple club prototypes.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional specialized fitting equipment and dedicated fitting sessions are used, then customization quality is improved, but accessibility and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces specialized mechanical fitting equipment with portable electronic sensors and mobile computing devices that can be used in various locations. The fitting process can be conducted at retail stores, golf courses, or even at home, making the service accessible to casual golfers without requiring them to travel to dedicated fitting centers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables users to collect their own swing data using portable sensors and run the fitting algorithm themselves or with minimal assistance. The system provides a self-service capability where golfers can initiate the fitting process, collect data, and receive recommendations without requiring extensive involvement from fitting specialists.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional building processes are used, then customization quality is improved, but production time increases to days or weeks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the fitting calculation and club specification determination immediately after data collection, rather than delaying the process. The algorithm processes swing data and generates club recommendations in real-time or near-real-time, enabling same-day customization and eliminating multi-day or multi-week production cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional manual or semi-automated club building processes with automated computational algorithms and digital manufacturing capabilities. The fitting algorithm quickly processes data and generates specifications that can be directly transmitted to manufacturing systems, dramatically reducing the time from fitting to finished product.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of customizing a golf club, wherein the method includes generating operating data representative of a user operating a mechanical device. The operating data is generated by a first sensor sized and configured to be removably positioned in a mounting port formed on the mechanical device during operation of the mechanical device. The sensor is interchangeably positionable in the mounting port with at least one mass insert, the at least one mass insert being adapted to be interchangeably positioned in the mounting to provide at least two different mass configurations. The method further includes determining a recommended configuration of the at least one mass insert specific to the user based on the operating data generated by the sensor, and transmitting information representative of the recommended mass insert.