Golf Club Sensor Power Management via Dynamic Gyroscope Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf club sensors face challenges in power management due to high power consumption by gyroscopes and limited space for batteries, and struggle to accurately detect the start and impact of a golf swing amidst various movements and potential false positives.
Innovation Solution
A golf club with a sensor system that includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) with an accelerometer and gyroscope, utilizing power management states to minimize consumption and an impact detection algorithm that uses linear acceleration and angular rate data to determine a rational golf club address position and specific criteria for impact detection, including slope calculations and transmission of golf-related metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a gyroscope is mounted in the golf club sensor to measure angular rate of rotation, then measurement precision of swing parameters is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the gyroscope based on detected swing phases. The gyroscope operates at full precision during swing execution when angular rate data is critical, but transitions to lower power modes during address position detection and between swings, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of the gyroscope including sampling rate and measurement precision based on the current swing phase. During address detection, the gyroscope operates at reduced precision with lower sampling rates, while during swing execution it operates at full precision with higher sampling rates, optimizing the balance between measurement accuracy and power usage
2Measurement precision
If the sensor operates at high sampling rates to accurately detect swing start and impact, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by implementing different sampling rates for different phases of golf swing detection. The accelerometer operates at a first sampling rate during address detection and at a second, higher sampling rate during swing execution and impact detection. This periodic variation in sampling rate ensures accurate detection of swing events while minimizing overall power consumption during non-critical periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the address position using the accelerometer at a lower sampling rate before the actual swing begins. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for high-precision measurement only when needed, reducing power consumption by avoiding continuous high-rate sampling while ensuring accurate swing detection when it occurs
3Reliability
If the sensor continuously monitors at high precision to detect swing start and impact events, then reliability of detection is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between different operational modes based on the detected swing phase. During address detection, the system uses lower power modes with reduced sampling rates. Upon detecting swing execution through accelerometer data, it dynamically switches to high-precision mode with higher sampling rates for both accelerometer and gyroscope to reliably capture impact events, thus maintaining detection reliability while minimizing overall power consumption
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensors (accelerometer and gyroscope) operate simultaneously at high sampling rates, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by coordinating the operation of accelerometer and gyroscope through different sampling rates and operational phases. The accelerometer operates continuously at variable rates to detect swing initiation, while the gyroscope operates at high precision only during swing execution and impact detection. This coordinated periodic operation ensures both sensors provide accurate data when needed while minimizing their combined power consumption during non-critical periods
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerometer performs preliminary detection of swing execution before the gyroscope is activated at high sampling rates. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for dual-sensor operation only when a swing is detected, ensuring reliable measurement precision during critical events while avoiding unnecessary simultaneous operation of both sensors during address detection and between swings, thus reducing overall power consumption
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
The system effectively manages power consumption, accurately detects the start and impact of a golf swing, and provides detailed golf-related metrics for analysis, enhancing user experience and golf performance feedback.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer capable of measuring linear accelerations in a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis
Implementation Method 2
a gyroscope capable of measuring an angular rate of rotation about the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club having a sensor that is removably connected at one or more positions of the golf club where the sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit including an accelerometer capable of measuring linear accelerations in three orthogonal axes and a gyroscope capable of measuring an angular rate of rotation around the same axes. The sensor may further comprise a processor which may perform instructions to detect the impact of the golf club with a golf ball and determine the start of the golf swing without any additional input from the user. The sensor may further have a power management system to extend the life of the power source.