Golf Club Shaft Fitting via Infrared Motion Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf club fitting methods are inefficient, inaccurate, and inconsistent, relying on trial and error to determine the optimal shaft for a golfer, as they fail to capture and utilize the dynamic behavioral characteristics of the shaft during a golf swing.
Innovation Solution
A system using infrared motion capturing cameras to record location data of markers on a golf club as the golfer swings, calculating dynamic behavioral characteristics to determine preferred static shaft characteristics and select the optimal shaft based on these characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional trial and error methods are used to fit golf club shafts, then the process is simple to perform, but the accuracy and consistency of shaft selection is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual trial-and-error mechanical fitting process with an automated optical measurement system. Infrared motion capturing cameras record the dynamic behavior of the golf club shaft during swings, and computer processors analyze this data to objectively determine optimal shaft characteristics, eliminating subjective guesswork and improving selection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces markers as intermediary objects attached to the golf club shaft. These markers reflect infrared light from the motion capturing cameras, enabling precise tracking of shaft movement and deformation during swings. The markers serve as mediators between the shaft's mechanical behavior and the optical measurement system.
2Reliability
If dynamic behavioral characteristics are captured using infrared motion capturing cameras, then shaft selection accuracy is improved, but the time and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by having the golfer practice swings with the instrumented club before actual data collection. This allows the system to capture multiple swing iterations and establish baseline dynamic characteristics, improving reliability by ensuring sufficient data is gathered before making shaft recommendations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs high-speed infrared motion capturing cameras that continuously record shaft behavior throughout the entire swing motion at high frame rates. This continuous capture of dynamic characteristics ensures no critical movement phases are missed, improving measurement reliability while the automated processing maintains efficiency.
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
This method provides a precise and efficient way to fit a golfer with the best-performing golf club shaft by analyzing dynamic swing data, reducing the reliance on trial and error and improving the accuracy of shaft selection.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of IR cameras positioned around the golfer adapted to capture a plurality of location data of the plurality of reflective markers
Implementation Method 2
plurality of reflective markers selectively positioned on a golf club
Data Source
AI summary
A method relating to an improved fitting system for a golf club shaft is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention utilizes specific data gathered from the golfer's golf swing itself to determine the best performing golf club shaft for this particular golf swing. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of infrared motion capturing cameras to record the location data of a golf club shaft throughout a swing. Based on the location data captured, one or more dynamic behavioral characteristics can be calculated to determine one or more preferred shaft characteristics. Using the preferred shaft characteristics, a shaft can be recommended for the golfer having this particular golf swing. The current inventive fitting methodology is preferred to the archaic fitting method of using data gathered from the result orientated ball flight data together with a tedious process of having to try numerous different shafts.