Golf Swing Apparatus Rotating Drum Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf swing devices are inadequate for practicing long-distance shots as they often fail to withstand high club head speeds, are expensive, or require large spaces and complex installations, making them inconvenient and prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A golf swing apparatus featuring a rotating drum with a swivel and sensor that detects the ball's trajectory, combined with a base member that stops the ball's rotation after impact, allowing for safe and efficient practice without the need for large catch nets or expensive sensor systems, using optical sensors and a processor to analyze swing data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tethered golf ball trainers are used to practice swings, then golfers can practice in confined areas, but the tether and frame structures cannot withstand club impact forces at speeds above 70 miles per hour
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a foam material between the golf ball and the drum surface. This cushioning layer absorbs and dissipates the impact energy when the club strikes the ball, preventing excessive forces from being transmitted to the tether and frame structures. The foam cushioning is installed in advance to protect the structural components from damage during high-speed swings.
2Ease of operation
If laser alignment club trainers are used to visualize ball path, then golfers can see theoretical trajectory, but special golf clubs with mounted lasers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical laser alignment system with an optical detection system. Instead of using lasers mounted on special clubs to project theoretical paths, the invention uses optical sensors mounted on the drum to detect the actual ball trajectory. The sensor system captures the ball's flight path and provides feedback, substituting the complex mechanical laser club system with a simpler detection and feedback mechanism.
3Loss of information
If sensor-driven computer simulation systems are used to simulate real play, then golfers can practice with data feedback, but the systems are expensive and require large spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential sensing function from complex computer simulation systems. Instead of using expensive, space-consuming sensor arrays and computer simulation infrastructure, the invention isolates the core detection capability by mounting a single optical sensor on the rotating drum. This extracted sensing element provides swing data feedback through a simplified mechanism, eliminating the need for large spaces and complex installations while retaining the essential information gathering function.
4Reliability
If catch nets are used to stop golf balls, then golfers can practice swings safely, but the nets require large spaces and require users to fetch and reset balls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ball stopping function with the rotational drum structure. Instead of using a separate catch net that requires large space and manual ball retrieval, the invention integrates the stopping mechanism into the drum itself. The drum rotates to catch the ball after impact, and the rotation continues until the ball is naturally stopped by friction or a designated stopping zone on the drum surface. This merging eliminates the need for external catch nets and manual ball fetching, providing safe practice in confined spaces.
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
Enables safe and effective practice of high-speed golf swings within a confined area, providing accurate swing data analysis and feedback without the limitations of existing devices, allowing for improved golfing skills without the need for extensive space or costly equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor that detects a change in swivel position or angle
Data Source
AI summary
A golf swing apparatus including a rotating drum that houses a swivel and an optical sensor to detecting a change in swivel angle; an elongated cord hanging from the drum and secured to a golf ball; a base member having an impact layer that is switchable between two orientations, the first being planar and the second being raised to stop or slow a rotating golf ball; a frame holding the rotating drum over the impact layer; a means for measuring rotation speed of the rotating drum; and a processor for generating swing data.