Millimeter Wave Radar Golf Club Shaft Motion Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods lack an effective way to measure the motion of a golf club shaft during a swing, which is crucial for determining ball path and carry distance, as they rely on visible light and do not accurately capture the club's motion relative to the ground.
Innovation Solution
A millimeter wave radar system with a club shaft antenna and a ground-based antenna transmitter/receiver, using coherent patterns to capture the club's motion, providing accurate speed and position data through low-power radar waves, and optionally powered by a battery or relying on an electromagnetic field, with integrated display and recording capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visible light methods are used to measure club motion, then the measurement system is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient to accurately capture shaft motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visible light optical measurement systems with millimeter wave radar technology. The radar system uses electromagnetic waves in the millimeter range to measure club shaft motion, providing superior precision for capturing the rapid and subtle movements of the golf club during swing, while avoiding the limitations of visible light methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from visible light wavelength to millimeter wave wavelength. By using electromagnetic waves with wavelengths in the millimeter range (typically 1-10 mm), the system achieves much higher measurement precision for club shaft motion, as the shorter wavelength allows for more accurate detection of position and velocity changes during the swing.
2Reliability
If a battery-powered antenna is used in the shaft, then the measurement reliability is improved, but the weight of the club increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a passive reflective antenna system where the antenna in the club shaft does not require an external power source. Instead, it relies on the electromagnetic energy from the ground-based radar transmitter to induce currents and reflect signals back. This self-powered approach maintains measurement reliability while avoiding the weight penalty of batteries or power supplies in the club.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground-based radar system serves multiple functions: it transmits the electromagnetic waves that power the passive antenna, receives the reflected signals for measurement, and processes the data to determine club shaft motion. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate power sources in the club while maintaining reliable measurement capability.
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 precise measurement and display of the golf swing and ball flight, enhancing training and practice outcomes for golfers by providing accurate data on club head speed and motion.
Implementation Method 1
uses millimeter wave radar
Implementation Method 2
The second antenna, the transmitting/receiver, will reside off the club and will receive the transmissions of the shaft antenna
Implementation Method 3
uses a coherent pattern to capture the position of the club relative the ground antenna transmitter/receiver
Implementation Method 4
The interactions of characteristic three dimensional amplitude variations in the antennas, their patterns, allow the measurement of relative positions over time
Data Source
AI summary
A club shaft that can be installed in a club head permanently or can be installed in clubs with interchangeable shaft features is disclosed herein. The invention is a measurement device that enables the capturing of the speed and motion of the swing. The invention uses two antennas, one transmitting and one receiving. The power of the radar wave is low. The wavelength will be on the order of a millimeter.