Golf Club Sensor Housing with Pressure Relief Shaft

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing club tag housings fail to securely fasten sensors to golf clubs during the swing, as pressure and vibration forces cause the shaft to be expelled from the grip, necessitating a solution that provides relief and secure attachment without obstructing the golf swing.

Innovation Solution

A housing design with a threaded shaft featuring air passages to relieve pressure and a removable upper housing with locking mechanisms, including cleated or twist locking, to securely affix the sensor system to the golf club while allowing access and protection from debris and water, using materials like rubber or silicon for the upper housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a threaded shaft is screwed into the grip end to house sensors, then the sensor equipment can be securely fastened to the golf club, but pressure and vibration during the swing can expel the shaft from the grip

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of sensor housingVSAvoidresistance to pressure and vibration forces
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two main segments: a lower housing that interfaces with the grip and an upper housing that contains the sensors. This segmentation allows the lower housing to specifically handle the attachment function while the upper housing protects the sensors, distributing mechanical stresses to different parts of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded shaft is预先 designed with specific thread geometry and engagement features that create preliminary mechanical interlocking with the grip before the swing occurs. The threading pattern is optimized to engage deeply and create friction locks that prevent expulsion under vibration and pressure loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the housing is securely fastened to prevent expulsion, then sensor security is improved, but the housing may obstruct the golf swing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fastening during swingVSAvoidunobtrusiveness to golf swing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with localized functional zones: the lower portion has a compact threaded shaft interface that minimizes protrusion into the swing path, while the upper portion expands to provide sensor protection. The material composition is also locally optimized with softer materials at the grip interface and harder materials for sensor protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The housing utilizes the radial dimension efficiently by creating a flared or bell-shaped lower housing that distributes attachment forces across a wider area of the grip, reducing the need for long axial protrusions that would obstruct the swing. This dimensional optimization allows secure attachment without compromising swing freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the shaft is securely screwed in to house sensors, then sensor protection is improved, but pressure relief mechanisms are needed to prevent expulsion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor protection within housingVSAvoidpressure relief mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief function is extracted as a separate, dedicated feature from the main housing structure. A specific pressure relief channel or vent hole is incorporated into the housing design, allowing pressure to be relieved through a defined pathway without compromising the overall structural integrity or sensor protection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical attachment through threading, sensor protection through enclosure, and pressure relief through integrated channels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, simplifying the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design ensures the sensor system remains securely attached during the golf swing, relieves pressure, and allows for easy data collection and analysis without obstructing the golfer's motion, enhancing the accuracy and usability of swing data.

Implementation Method 1

provides a relief for pressure and vibration forces that are built up during the golf swing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure relief: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

the housing includes a threaded shaft which is screwed into a hole in the end of the grip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2756419B1Apparatus for housing telemetry, sensing, processing and other electronic components and affixing such apparatus to a golf club
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 SKYHAWKE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP2756419B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2756419B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2756419B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A housing for a sensor includes the sensor; vertical walls surrounding an aperture containing the sensor; a horizontal floor connected to a bottom of the vertical walls, the floor having the sensor located thereon; and a vertical shaft connected to the bottom of the floor and configured to connect the housing to a grip of a golf club. The shaft and at least the horizontal floor define a continuous air passage to vent air pressure from an inside of the golf club to an outside of the golf club.