Golf Ball With Piezoelectric Material
A golf ball with a piezoelectric material portion allows golf ball data to be obtained when a golfer hits the golf ball with a golf club. An output from the piezoelectric material generated in response to the impact force of the golf club hitting the golf ball is measured. Based on the measured output, golf ball data can be obtained. The obtained golf ball data may be used by golf club fitting systems, golf ball fitting systems, and golfer profile databases.
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The present invention relates to a golf ball containing piezoelectric material, and in particular to a system and method of obtaining golf ball data associated with hitting a golf ball containing piezoelectric material.
Increased awareness and proliferation of golf equipment designed for particular levels of play has led to advances in matching a golfer with an appropriate golf club. Similarly, with advances in golf ball design, there has been increased interest in matching a golfer with an appropriate golf ball.
Golf club fitting has become well known and a routine service of golf pro shops. Typically, a combination of information about a golfer's physical characteristics, such as height, arm length, gender, and age, and a golfer's swing characteristics, such as club head speed and angle of attack, are used to determine an appropriate club for a golfer.
Golf ball fitting is a newer process and generally uses a combination of subjective data gathered from a golfer questionnaire and objective swing characteristics, such as measurements of club head speed, ball speed, launch angle, angle of attack, backspin, side spin, and total distance.
In addition, golfers have an interest in tracking data associated with their golf swing and general golf play to accumulate historical data or to develop a golfer profile.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a method and system for obtaining golf ball data associated with hitting a golf ball. Specifically, a method and system that will allow a golfer to conveniently and easily obtain golf ball data associated with a golfer's swing that is useful for golf club fitting systems, golf ball fitting systems, and golfer profile databases.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, the invention provides a golf ball comprising: a cover, a core, and a piezoelectric material portion, wherein the piezoelectric material portion is disposed between the cover and the core.
In another aspect, the invention provides a system for obtaining golf ball data, comprising: a golf ball with a piezoelectric material portion, a sensor for measuring an output associated with the piezoelectric material portion, and a detector in communication with the sensor for receiving the output measured by the sensor, wherein the detector uses the output to obtain golf ball data.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of obtaining hit golf ball data, comprising: providing a golf ball with a piezoelectric material portion, measuring an output associated with the piezoelectric material portion when the golf ball is hit by a golf club, correlating the measured output associated with the piezoelectric material portion to known golf ball data to obtain hit golf ball data associated with the golf ball being hit by the golf club; and recording the hit golf ball data.
Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
An exemplary embodiment of a system for obtaining golf ball data associated with hitting a golf ball containing piezoelectric material is shown in
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Piezoelectric materials are a group of materials that generate an electric potential difference upon application of a mechanical force. In response to an applied force, a voltage is generated in the piezoelectric material that is proportional to the applied force. Similarly, the reverse effect is possible, where an applied voltage will generate a compressive force on the piezoelectric material. One very well known piezoelectric material is quartz, which is typically used in watches. Many other natural and synthetic materials are piezoelectric, including various crystals, ceramics, and polymers.
In one embodiment, the piezoelectric material is a piezoelectric polymer. In some cases, the piezoelectric polymer may include, but is not limited to: polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetra-fluorodethylene-polyvinylidene fluoride (PTFE-PVF2) and other polymers, copolymers, and ceramic polymer mixtures.
Generally, golf balls can be made in various configurations and can be composed of a variety of materials. Golf balls configurations may include, but are not limited to two piece, three piece, or four piece configurations. Each configuration includes a cover. In some cases, the cover material may include, but is not limited to urethane, balata, synthetic balata, Surlyn®, elastomer, and other materials. The inner composition of a golf ball may include a core, a mantle, and additional core or mantle layers, depending on whether the golf ball is a two piece, three piece, or four piece configuration. The inner composition of a golf ball may include a variety of materials including, but not limited to: natural rubber, balata, synthetic rubber, plastics, thermoplastics, polymers, elastomers, resins, and other materials and combinations of materials.
In one exemplary embodiment, the piezoelectric material portion may be injected into the golf ball. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric material portion may be a layer of the golf ball. In other embodiments, the piezoelectric material portion may be a film. In still other embodiments, the piezoelectric material portion may be solid material incorporated into the golf ball.
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Golf ball 1300 can be placed in proximity to a golf ball data recording unit 1314 to induce transmission of a signal 1316 from golf ball 1300 containing hit golf ball data stored in data storage device 1310. In one embodiment, golf ball data recording unit 1314 may generate a magnetic field to induce piezoelectric material portion 1304 in golf ball 1300 to compress. The compression generates an electric charge in piezoelectric material portion 1304, which may be used to energize internal sensor 1306. In this embodiment, internal sensor 1306 may transmit a signal 1316 containing the hit golf ball data stored in memory storage 1310 via a transmitter (not shown) using internal antenna 1308. Golf ball data recording unit 1314 can receive signal 1316 via antenna 1312. In some embodiments, golf ball data recording unit 1314 may use RFID technology to communicate with golf ball 1300. In other embodiments, golf ball data recording unit 1314 may receive hit golf ball data from golf ball 1300 using any electromagnetic, optical, acoustic or other form of communication.
In an exemplary embodiment, golf ball data recording unit 1314 may include a processor. In various embodiments, golf ball data recording unit 1314 may be provided in various hardware and software configurations, including, but not limited to: a computer, a smart phone or other portable device including a processor, a terminal connected to a server over a network, and other hardware or software configurations for processing data.
In some embodiments, a correlation may be made between the output from a piezoelectric material and hit golf ball data. Because piezoelectric material generates an electric charge that is in proportion to the amount of impact force applied to the material, hit golf ball data can be correlated from knowledge of the impact force and the golf ball properties. In some cases, this correlation can be generated by using a golf swing robot to hit a golf ball of a known construction multiple times and gather measured data associated with the hit golf balls. Golf swing robots are well-known in the art, and any type of robot capable of consistently swinging a golf club according to a programmed set of instructions may be used. In some embodiments, the result can include a database containing known correlations between a measured output of a piezoelectric material and hit golf ball data. In other cases, a processor may be used to execute a program that can correlate the measured output of a piezoelectric material to hit golf ball data.
In one exemplary embodiment, the obtained hit golf ball data includes a ball speed and a spin rate. Ball speed is the measurement of the velocity of a golf ball after impact with a club head of a golf club. Because the output of the piezoelectric material is proportional to the force of the impact of the club head with the golf ball, the ball speed can be determined based on a measurement of the current detected in the piezoelectric material. The spin of a golf ball is the rotation of a golf ball while in flight. Spin includes rotation against the direction of flight, i.e., backspin, and rotation sideways to the direction of spin, i.e., side spin. Total spin is the vector addition of backspin and side spin. The spin rate of a golf ball is the speed that the golf ball rotates on its axis while in flight. Typically, the spin rate is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). The spin of a golf ball is related to an amount of deformation of the golf ball. The amount of deformation of the golf ball can be determined based on the magnitude of the output of the piezoelectric material when compressed. Based on the amount of deformation, a spin rate can be determined. Various hit golf ball data may be obtained, including, but not limited to: amount of deformation, angle of deformation, ball speed, spin rate, backspin, sidespin and other parameters associated with a golf ball.
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Hit golf ball data obtained from a golf ball with piezoelectric material according to the present method and system may be part of a broader athlete data storage, analysis, and retrieval system in which vital statistics and game statistics are stored for review or analysis by various programs, and to recommend new equipment suited to an athlete's game. Such programs or data could be run on computer 1704, including hand held devices including a processor, such as smart phones or other personal computing devices, with the possibility of sharing the data by users who have given each other authorization to view the data. In some cases, Internet 1706 may be used to transmit the hit golf ball data 1702 to other computers or servers where the data may be stored, analyzed, and shared.
In addition to the embodiments described above, a golf ball with piezoelectric material may be used in other systems that make use of the properties of the piezoelectric material. For example, a system and method could apply a voltage to a golf ball with a piezoelectric material to generate a compressive force on the golf ball. In such a system and method, the compressive force could be used to generate an additional push or bounce of the golf ball against a club face of a golf club or could be used to harden the cover of the golf ball before impact for spin reduction.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.
Claims
1. A golf ball comprising:
- a cover;
- a core; and
- a piezoelectric material layer.
2. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material layer comprises polyvinylidene fluoride material.
3. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material layer is disposed proximate an underside of the cover.
4. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball further comprises an internal sensor for detecting an output generated by the piezoelectric material layer.
5. The golf ball according to claim 4, wherein the internal sensor includes a transmitter and an antenna.
6. The golf ball according to claim 5, wherein the internal sensor further includes a data storage device.
7. The golf ball according to claim 4, wherein the internal sensor is disposed inside the core, the piezoelectric material layer is disposed between the core and the cover, and a lead connects the internal sensor to the piezoelectric material layer.
8. A system for obtaining hit golf ball data, comprising:
- a golf ball with a piezoelectric material portion;
- a sensor for measuring an output associated with the piezoelectric material portion; and
- a detector in communication with the sensor for receiving the output measured by the sensor, wherein the detector uses the output to obtain hit golf ball data.
9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is an internal sensor disposed within the golf ball.
10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the internal sensor further includes a transmitter and an antenna.
11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the detector is a receiver including an antenna that receives a signal transmitted by the transmitter within the golf ball.
12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the golf ball comprises:
- a cover;
- a core; and
- wherein the piezoelectric material portion comprises a layer disposed between the core and the cover.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric material layer comprises polyvinylidene fluoride material.
14. The system according to claim 8, wherein the detector sends the hit golf ball data to at least a golf ball fitting system, a golf club fitting system, or a golfer profile database.
15. A method of obtaining hit golf ball data, comprising:
- providing a golf ball with a piezoelectric material portion;
- measuring an output associated with the piezoelectric material portion when the golf ball is hit by a golf club;
- correlating the measured output associated with the piezoelectric material portion to known golf ball data to obtain hit golf ball data; and
- recording the hit golf ball data.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein measuring the output associated with the piezoelectric material portion when the golf ball is hit by a golf club comprises:
- sensing the output associated with the piezoelectric material portion from within the golf ball; and
- transmitting the sensed output from a transmitter within the golf ball to a receiver outside the golf ball.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric material portion comprises a layer disposed between a cover and a core of the golf ball.
18. The method according to claim 15, wherein providing the golf ball with the piezoelectric material portion comprises injecting a layer of piezoelectric material into the golf ball.
19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric material portion comprises polyvinylidene fluoride material.
20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising outputting the recorded hit golf ball data to at least a golf ball fitting system, a golf club fitting system, or a golfer profile database.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 12, 2010
Publication Date: Sep 15, 2011
Applicant: NIKE, INC. (Beaverton, OR)
Inventor: Arthur Molinari (Beaverton, OR)
Application Number: 12/722,963
International Classification: A63B 69/36 (20060101); A63B 43/00 (20060101);