Golf Putter Sensor Weight Integrating Magnetometer and BLE Radio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf clubs lack the capability to accurately record and transmit impact data during a golfer's swing, limiting the potential for improved swing analysis and shot tracking.
Innovation Solution
A golf club head with an integrated sensor weight containing a magnetometer, a flexible circuit board with a BLUETOOTH Low Energy radio, a processor, and a battery, which records and transmits impact data via BLE radio to a mobile device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are placed within golf clubs to convey data about a golfer's swing, then swing analysis capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electronic components (magnetometer, accelerometer, circuit board, battery) into a single integrated sensor weight unit that is embedded within the putter head. This merging approach enables swing analysis capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by consolidating components into one compact module rather than distributing them throughout the club structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor weight is nested within the putter head structure, with the circuit board wrapped around the battery and electronic components contained within a spherical housing. This nesting arrangement allows the electronic system to be embedded within the existing club geometry without significantly increasing overall complexity or affecting the club's structural integrity.
2Loss of information
If electronic components are integrated into the putter head, then impact data transmission capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic system is segmented into distinct functional modules: magnetometer for impact detection, accelerometer for motion sensing, circuit board for signal processing, and battery for power. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently before final assembly, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the integration of multiple electronic elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is designed with flexible material properties, allowing it to be wrapped around the battery and molded into the spherical housing. This parameter change from rigid to flexible circuit board material enables simplified manufacturing by allowing the circuit board to conform to the housing shape during molding, reducing assembly steps and improving ease of manufacture.
3Measurement precision
If a magnetometer is placed in the putter, then impact measurement accuracy is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor weight is designed as a compact spherical housing containing only the essential electronic components needed for impact measurement (magnetometer and accelerometer). By localizing the electronics to this small spherical volume rather than distributing them throughout the putter head, the patent achieves accurate impact measurement while minimizing the weight increase to only the necessary sensor weight portion.
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 solution enables precise recording and transmission of impact data, allowing for enhanced swing analysis and shot tracking, thereby improving golfing performance.
Implementation Method 1
By placing a magnetometer in the putter, the exact impact values are recorded
Implementation Method 2
a flexible circuit board with a BLUETOOTH Low Energy radio, a processor, and a battery, which records and transmits impact data via BLE radio to a mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
A putter-type golf club comprising an electrical component is disclosed herein. The electrical component comprises an integrated circuit having a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and a BLUETOOTH low energy (BTLE) radio, and at least one battery. A body is composed of an epoxy material, and the body encompasses the electrical component.