JPH0834730B2 - Golf ball monitoring device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a golf ball hitting monitor device which detects a hitting position, a hitting force and a hitting angle on a club face in a golf club head and gives a golfer information about a swing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, various known examples have been known which give a golfer information about a swing. For example, according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,438,634, a conductor plate is used in a club head at a target ball hitting position. When the ball hits this part, the display blinks to indicate that the ball has hit the target position.

US Pat. Nos. 3,270,564, 3,792,863 and 3,806,131 are also known. These were suitable for measuring the movement of the golf club, such as the acceleration of the head, the torque and the bending of the club shaft. This result provided the golfer with information about the swing. Further, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,945,646 and 3,226,704 are also known. Further, No. 3,182,508 is for remote monitoring.

However, these conventional techniques lack a means for taking the so-called address, which is the most important point of golf swing. In other words, it lacked information about the angle at the moment of impact of the club head surface, ie, the club face, with the ball. As a result, the hitting position, hitting force, and hitting angle on the club face are not detected, so that there is a drawback that the golfer cannot be provided with accurate information about the swing.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks, and relates to a golf ball hitting monitor device which gives effective information to a golf swing during golf practice. Provided is a golf ball hitting monitor device which accurately detects the moment of impact between a club head and a ball, detects the hitting position, hitting force and hitting angle on the club face at the club head, and gives the golfer information about the swing. The purpose is to

The present invention detects a golf ball hitting position and a hitting ball hitting angle thereof, and a hitting position, a hitting force and a hitting direction of a ball on a club face from a detection output from each sensor, In a golf ball hitting monitoring device, the hitting ball position detecting means comprises at least a pair of horizontal position and vertical position detecting electrodes on the hitting surface. A first layer made of a flexible conductive material provided at both ends of the face, a second layer made of a pressure detecting material whose conductivity changes by the impact pressure at the hitting position, and a voltage applied The golf ball hitting monitor device is provided with a third layer composed of the above-mentioned resistor and a sensor for detecting the hitting ball angle.

Further, when the second layer is a pressure-sensitive sheet in which a conducting point is generated on the sheet surface when the hitting ball collides with the sheet, the sensor for detecting the hitting ball angle further has a three-dimensional direction. It consists of multiple layers of piezoelectric materials that have been subjected to different polarization processing to detect the striking force component. In this case, furthermore, the sensor is effectively provided when three layers of piezoelectric elements are laminated and the compression force, the horizontal force, and the vertical force component are detected from each element. In addition, when a transmitter for transmitting a detection signal from each of the sensors is built in the club head, and the signal is received by a separately installed receiver, and a signal processing means for image display or audio output is added thereto. Will be provided as well). Further, in the same device as described above, the load hitting ball monitoring device is provided by comprising a plurality of load cells installed on the platform in the club head, and detecting the normal stress and the shear stress.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the striking force generated at the moment of impact between the club head and the ball is detected as the striking position, the striking force and the striking angle on the club face by the sensor incorporated in the head, and is attached to the club. Transmit the signal detected by the transmitter, receive the signal with a receiver installed separately and perform signal processing, display the hitting position, hitting force and hitting angle on the club face on the screen or acoustically to the golfer. introduce. The judgment of the hitting position on the club face is confirmed by the piezoelectric output generated in the piezoelectric body when the head collides with the ball, and shows the hitting force and the hitting angle given to the ball to teach whether or not the hitting is accurate.

[0009]

EXAMPLES Examples will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an essential part of a club head of a golf ball hitting monitor device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the club head 1
A ball striking position sensor 2 and a ball striking angle sensor 3 electrically insulated from the ball striking position sensor 2 are stacked in proximity to the club face 4 where the ball collides. In FIG. 2, a pair of electrodes are arranged apart from each other on the left and right sides and the upper and lower sides of the club head. The first pair of vertical position detecting electrodes 5 and 5 are arranged apart from each other in the horizontal direction of the club face 4 to detect the horizontal position of the hit ball on the club face 4, and the other pair of horizontal position detecting electrodes 6 and 6 are to the club. The vertical position of the hit ball on the club face 4 which is arranged above and below the face 4 is detected.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a state where the ball and the club face 4 collide with each other. The ball 7 is shown as a view impacting the approximate center of the conductor sheet 8. In this example, the hitting ball position sensor 2 is composed of three layers of a conductive sheet 8, a pressure sensitive sheet 9 and a resistor 10 which are electrically conductive.
The conductive sheet 8 of the outermost layer is made of a flexible conductive material. The pressure sensitive sheet 9 of the second layer is selected from a rubber material which exhibits conductivity by pressure. The resistor 10 of the third layer is a carbon-based resistor.

A voltage source such as a battery, preferably a constant voltage source 12
Is applied to both ends of the planar resistor 10. When the ball collides with the conductor sheet 8 of the club face 4, the pressure-sensitive sheet 9 is pressed, and a conductive portion 11 is generated in the pressure-sensitive sheet 9 at the hitting position. At that time, the vertical position detection electrode 5
The voltage appearing between the conductor sheet 8 and the conductor sheet 8 becomes a voltage obtained by electrically dividing the voltage of the voltage source 12 by the resistor 10 at the position of the conducting portion 11, and the ball hitting position information in the horizontal direction is obtained as a voltage signal. . Similarly, the hitting ball position information in the vertical direction can be obtained as a divided voltage signal appearing between the lateral position detection electrode 6 and the conductor sheet 8.

As described above, the horizontal and vertical position coordinate information of the golf ball hit on the club face 4 can be independently taken out as a voltage signal from the two sets of electrodes 5 and 6 and the voltage source 12.

The hitting force and hitting ball angle sensor 3 is 3
It can be realized as a detector with a layered piezoelectric sheet. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the main part. The three layers of piezoelectric sheets 13, 14 and 15 are laminated with an insulating sheet 16 interposed therebetween. A pair of electrodes 17-18, 19-20, 21-22 are taken out from the electrode surface of the piezoelectric element. From each of these electrodes, polarization is generated with respect to compression and displacement in the horizontal or vertical direction, and the piezoelectric output is obtained.

Various piezoelectric materials can be used as the piezoelectric sheet. For example, silicon dioxide, piezoelectric ceramics,
Polymer piezoelectric films and other piezoelectric films can be used, and silicon pressure sensors using semiconductor integrated technology can be used. Of these, a piezoelectric sheet made of polyvinylidene fluoride is suitable.

In the present invention, the polarization direction of the piezoelectric sheet 13 used in the hitting force and hitting ball angle sensor 3 is shown in FIGS. 4a to 4c.
It was shown to. FIG. 4a shows the polarization of the piezoelectric sheet 13 for detecting the normal stress applied perpendicularly to the club face 4, FIG.
Is a piezoelectric sheet 14 for detecting horizontal displacement stress, FIG.
Reference character c indicates the state of polarization of the piezoelectric sheet 15 for detecting the vertical displacement stress. Each of these terminals 17-18, 19-2
It can be used as the hitting force and hitting ball angle sensor 3 in three dimensions given to the club face from the output between 0 and 21-22. This sensor output relationship is shown in Figure 4d.
As shown in FIG. 5, the composite stress 23 is obtained by extracting from the piezoelectric sheets 13, 14 and 15 for each component in the three-dimensional direction of the piezoelectric sheet.

It is appropriate that the information on the hit ball detected by the sensor is wirelessly transmitted to a separately installed device and displayed on the screen. An example of this is shown in the block diagram of the transmitter 24 as shown in FIG. The signals from a plurality of sensors 25 are converted into appropriate voltage signals via the interface 26, the value at the moment of hitting is sampled and held 27, one channel is selected by the multiplexer 28 and sent to the A / D converter 29 to be converted into a digital signal. To do. Further, it is modulated by the modulator 30 and transmitted by the transmitter 31 and the antenna 32.
To send to the air.

FIG. 6 is an example of a block diagram of the receiver 33. In the receiver 33, from the antenna 34 to the receiver 3
5, demodulated by the demodulator 36, processed by the processor 37,
It is displayed on a display device 38 such as a liquid crystal, a cathode ray tube, or a plasma display. The memory 39 is for later reproducing and comparing information for each hit ball. The display device 38
Alternatively, or additionally, a voice output means may be used to inform a golfer of a guide or how to use the device. The radio wave propagation is not limited to high frequencies. It is also possible to use a transmission / reception method using ultrasonic waves or infrared rays.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a golf ball hitting monitor display device in which the club face is pictorially shaped. The flight distance estimated from the hitting position, the hitting angle and the hitting force is displayed. In this figure, the hitting position 40 is shown as a plurality of circular or elliptical striped patterns 40 and 42. It will be understood from FIG. 7 that the ball is hit almost at the center of the pattern 40. The hitting angle flies at right angles to the club face in FIG. Further, in FIG. 8, it will be understood from the spread seen in the elliptical shape of the striped pattern 42 that the flight to the upper left in the figure is performed. The flight distance is 230 to 150, which is the number of windows 41 and 43.
It is shown that it is calculated as a yard and is estimated.

As a hitting ball information sensor, a sensor using the same principle as that of a floor reaction force meter can be used in addition to the above-mentioned sensor, and one example thereof is shown in FIGS. FIG. 9 is a plan view of relevant parts, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view of relevant parts. Platform 44 embedded in the club head
The load cells 45 installed at the four corners detect the normal stress at four points and the shift stress in two directions. Load cell 45
Are formed from at least three piezoelectric elements. The three components of stress can be detected by the three-layer structure of the piezoelectric element 46 which is sensitive to the compressive stress and the piezoelectric elements 47 and 48 which are sensitive to the displacement deformation in the two directions as shown in FIG. . For example, a floor reaction force meter from Kistler can be used, and as the piezoelectric element of the present invention, a disc structure formed in three layers is suitable.

As another example of the present invention, the striking ball angle sensor 3 should apply different polarizations to the above-mentioned piezoelectric elements 46, 47 and 48, respectively. As a result, the position of the point of action of the force, the magnitude and direction of the force, and the rotation moment can be detected, and calculation processing of the hitting position becomes possible.

The above specific description is for a person skilled in the art to understand the present invention more clearly, and also for enabling the present invention. Therefore, it should not be understood that the technical scope of the present invention is limited. It should be considered merely as an illustration and representative example.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, the golfer can be informed about the swing by accurately detecting the hitting position, hitting force and hitting angle at the club face at the moment of impact between the club head and the ball. give. Therefore, it is possible to provide the golfer with information about the distance to the ball, the standing position, and the movement of the club.

[0023]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an essential part showing an embodiment of a hitting position sensor incorporated in a club head of a golf hitting ball monitoring device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of essential parts showing an embodiment of a hitting position sensor provided on a club head of a golf hitting ball monitoring device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing an embodiment of a ball hitting position sensor of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an example of a hitting ball angle sensor, FIG. 4a is polarization by compression, FIGS. 4b and 4c are polarization by shear deformation, and FIG. 4d is output from a piezoelectric sensor. The synthetic stress of is shown.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of a transmitter of the monitor device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a receiver of the monitor device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a screen display of hitting ball information according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen display of hitting ball information according to the present invention, which is an example of a screen display of hitting ball information different from FIG.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of essential parts of a hitting ball position sensor and a hitting ball angle sensor provided on a club head of a golf ball hitting monitor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of the sensor of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 club head 2 ball hitting position sensor 3 hitting ball hitting angle sensor 4 club face 5 vertical position detecting electrode 6 lateral position detecting electrode 8 conductor sheet 9 pressure sensitive sheet 10 carbon-based resistor 11 conductive location 13 piezoelectric sheet 14 piezoelectric sheet 15 piezoelectric sheet 16 Insulation Sheet 24 Transmitter 33 Receiver 44 Platform 45 Load Cell

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A sensor for detecting a golf ball hitting position and a hitting ball hitting angle thereof, and a hitting position, a hitting force and a hitting direction of a club face on a ball from detection outputs from the respective sensors, and giving the ball to the ball. repulsive force and the golf ball hitting monitoring device for monitoring the hitting direction, the hitting position detecting means at least a pair of horizontal ball striking surface
Position and vertical position detection electrodes on both ends of the club face
A first layer made of a flexible and conductive material provided in
Pressure detection where conductivity changes by impact pressure at hitting position
A second layer made of material for use, and a resistor to which a voltage is applied.
And a sensor for detecting the hitting ball angle.
A golf ball hitting monitor device comprising a sir . 2. The hitting ball strikes the sheet in the second layer.
The golf ball hitting monitor device according to claim 1, wherein the hitting sheet is a pressure-sensitive sheet in which a conductive portion is generated on the surface of the golf ball when hit. Wherein the sensor for detecting the liquid-driving power hitting angle comprises a plurality of layers of different polarization treated piezoelectric detecting the batting power components in three-dimensional directions, thereby the force of the action point
Position, force magnitude and direction, and rotational moment are detected
However, it is possible to calculate the hitting position.
The golf ball hitting monitor device described . 4. A sensor for detecting the hitting ball angle
Three layers of piezoelectric elements are stacked, and each element is compressed, horizontal, and suspended.
4. A hitting force component in a direct direction is detected.
The golf ball hitting monitor device described . 5. A club head is provided with a transmitter for transmitting a detection signal from each sensor, and the signal is received by a separately installed receiver, and a signal processing means for image display or audio output is added. Item 1. A golf ball hitting monitor device according to item 1 or 4 . 6. A golf ball hitting position and its hitting ball hitting angle
From the sensor to detect and the detection output from each sensor
Hitting position, hitting force and hitting method on the club face
The direction and the repulsive force applied to the ball and its
In a golf ball monitoring device that monitors the direction of a ball, a plurality of golf balls installed on the platform inside the club head
It consists of a load cell, which produces normal and shear stresses.
A golf ball hitting monitor device characterized by detecting .