US20160129306A1 - Sensor unit, sensor set, sports equipment, and mounting method of sensor unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A sensor unit is mounted on a golf club which is one of sports equipments, and detects an inertial amount generated by a swing. In the sensor unit, a Z-axis serving as a detection axis of the inertial amount generated along a direction orthogonal to a surface located on the golf club side when the sensor unit is mounted on the golf club is set to extend along a direction S of the swing.

Description

BACKGROUND
• 1. Technical Field
• The present invention relates to a sensor unit, a sensor set, a sports equipment, and a mounting method of a sensor unit.
• 2. Related Art
• An analyzing method based on an image captured by a camera is known as a technique for analyzing and evaluating movements caused by swings of golf clubs, baseball bats, tennis racquets, and human bodies which use a sports equipment thereof. The analysis using the image is limited in terms of accuracy. Accordingly, attempts to perform more accurate motion analysis have been made by using acceleration sensors or gyro sensors. For example, JP-A-11-169499 discloses a swing analysis device in which a sensor unit capable of measuring acceleration in three directions is attached to a grip of a golf club so as to analyze a swing.
• For example, a sensor unit is mounted on a sports equipment via an attachment in a swing analysis device. Various methods of mounting the sensor unit on the sports equipment have been used. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 24, in some cases, the sensor unit is mounted on a rear side of a golf club when viewed from a user's golf address position. However, acceleration acting in a swing direction tends to apply a strong force to the sensor unit in a direction opposite to the swing direction. Consequently, the attachment is rotated in a case of the above-described mounting direction, thereby causing a possibility that a position and a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this case, an error occurs in a measurement result of the sensor unit, thereby resulting in poor measurement accuracy. This disadvantage is more likely to occur as the sensor unit gets heavier, and occurs even when the sensor unit is mounted on the golf club without interposing the attachment therebetween. Without being limited to the golf club, this disadvantage may also commonly occur in a sports equipment for use in swinging.
SUMMARY
• An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a sensor unit and a sensor set which can be mounted on a sports equipment so as to reduce effects of acceleration acting in a swing direction. Another advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a sports equipment and a mounting method of a sensor unit, which can reduce the effects of acceleration acting on the sensor unit in the swing direction.
• The invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE 1
• A sensor unit according to this application example is mounted on a sports equipment so as to detect an inertial amount generated by a swing, in which a detection axis of the inertial amount generated along a direction orthogonal to a surface located on the sports equipment side when the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment is set to extend along a direction of the swing.
• The “direction of the swing” means a direction in which the sensor unit moves during the swing. For example, the direction of the swing at any point of time during the swing may be a speed direction of the sensor unit at the point of time.
• In the sensor unit according to this application example, the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the surface located on the sports equipment side when the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment is set to extend along the direction of the swing. Accordingly, an angle formed between the surface located on the sports equipment side and the swing direction when the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment in accordance with the above-described setting approximates to a right angle. Therefore, even when acceleration acting in the direction of the swing applies a strong force to the sensor unit according to the application example in a direction opposite to the swing direction, a force to rotate the sensor unit around an axis of the sports equipment is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that a position or a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this manner, the sensor unit according to the application example can be mounted on the sports equipment so as to reduce effects of acceleration acting in the swing direction.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE 2
• A sensor unit according to this application example is mounted on a sports equipment so as to detect an inertial amount generated by a swing, in which a surface located on the sports equipment side when the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment is set to be a surface orthogonal to a direction of the swing.
• In the sensor unit according to this application example, the surface located on the sports equipment side when the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment is set to be the surface orthogonal to the direction of the swing. Accordingly, an angle formed between the surface located on the sports equipment side and the swing direction when the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment in accordance with the above-described setting approximates to a right angle. Therefore, even when acceleration acting in the direction of the swing applies a strong force to the sensor unit according to the application example in a direction opposite to the swing direction, a force to rotate the sensor unit around an axis of the sports equipment is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that a position or a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this manner, the sensor unit according to the application example can be mounted on the sports equipment so as to reduce effects of acceleration acting in the swing direction.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE 3
• A sensor unit according to this application example is mounted on a sports equipment so as to detect an inertial amount generated by a swing, in which a detection axis of the inertial amount generated along a direction orthogonal to a surface located on the sports equipment side when the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment is set to extend along a direction orthogonal to a hitting surface of the sports equipment.
• In the sensor unit according to this application example, the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the surface located on the sports equipment side when the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment is set to extend along the direction orthogonal to the hitting surface of the sports equipment. Accordingly, the surface located on the sports equipment side and the hitting surface of the sports equipment when the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment in accordance with the above-described setting are approximately parallel to each other. That is, an angle formed between the surface located on the sports equipment side and the swing direction of the sensor unit approximates to a right angle. Therefore, even when acceleration acting in the swing direction applies a strong force to the sensor unit according to the application example in a direction opposite to the direction of the swing, a force to rotate the sensor unit around an axis of the sports equipment is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that a position or a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this manner, the sensor unit according to the application example can be mounted on the sports equipment so as to reduce effects of acceleration acting in the swing direction.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE 4
• A sensor set according to this application example includes the sensor unit according to any one of the application examples described above and a holding tool for mounting the sensor unit on the sports equipment.
• In the sensor set according to this application example, a force which is generated by acceleration acting in the swing direction so as to rotate the holding tool around an axis of the sports equipment is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that a position or a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this manner, the sensor set according to the application example can be mounted on the sports equipment so as to reduce effects of acceleration acting in the swing direction.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE 5
• A sports equipment according to the application example is a sport equipment on which a sensor unit for detecting an inertial amount generated by a swing is mounted, in which a detection axis of the inertial amount generated along a direction orthogonal to a surface located on the sports equipment side extends along a direction of the swing in the sensor unit.
• In the sports equipment according to this application example, the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the surface located on the sports equipment side extends along the direction of the swing in the sensor unit. Accordingly, an angle formed between the surface located on the sports equipment side and the swing direction approximates to a right angle. Therefore, even when acceleration acting in the swing direction applies a strong force to the sensor unit in a direction opposite to the swing direction, a force to rotate the sensor unit around an axis of the sports equipment is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that a position or a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this manner, the sports equipment according to the application example can reduce the effects of acceleration acting on the sensor unit in the swing direction.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE 6
• A sports equipment according to this application example is a sport equipment on which a sensor unit for detecting an inertial amount generated by a swing is mounted, in which a surface located on the sports equipment side is a surface orthogonal to a direction of the swing in the sensor unit.
• In the sports equipment according to this application example, the surface located on the sports equipment side is the surface orthogonal to the direction of the swing in the sensor unit. Accordingly, an angle formed between the surface located on the sports equipment side and the swing direction approximates to a right angle. Therefore, even when acceleration acting in the swing direction applies a strong force to the sensor unit in a direction opposite to the swing direction, a force to rotate the sensor unit around an axis of the sports equipment is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that a position or a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this manner, the sports equipment according to the application example can reduce the effects of acceleration acting on the sensor unit in the swing direction.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE 7
• A sports equipment according to this application example is a sport equipment on which a sensor unit for detecting an inertial amount generated by a swing is mounted, and which includes a hitting surface. In the sensor unit, a detection axis of the inertial amount generated along a direction orthogonal to a surface located on the sports equipment side extends along a direction orthogonal to the hitting surface.
• In the sports equipment according to this application example, the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the surface located on the sports equipment side extends along the direction orthogonal to the hitting surface of the sports equipment, in the sensor unit. Accordingly, the surface located on the sports equipment side and the hitting surface of the sports equipment are approximately parallel to each other. That is, an angle formed between the surface located on the sports equipment side and the swing direction of the sensor unit approximates to a right angle. Therefore, even when acceleration acting in the swing direction applies a strong force to the sensor unit in a direction opposite to the direction of the swing, a force to rotate the sensor unit around an axis of the sports equipment is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that a position or a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this manner, the sports equipment according to the application example can reduce the effects of acceleration acting on the sensor unit in the swing direction.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE 8
• The sports equipment according to the application example described above may further include a holding tool for mounting the sensor unit on the sports equipment.
• In the sports equipment according to this application example, a force which is generated by acceleration acting in the swing direction so as to rotate the holding tool around an axis of the sports equipment is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that a position or a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this manner, the sports equipment according to the application example can reduce the effects of acceleration acting on the sensor unit in the swing direction.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE 9
• A mounting method of a sensor unit according to this application example is a mounting method in which a sensor unit for detecting an inertial amount generated by a swing is mounted on a sports equipment. The method includes preparing the sports equipment, preparing the sensor unit, and mounting the sensor unit on the sports equipment so that a detection axis of the inertial amount generated along a direction orthogonal to a surface located on the sports equipment side of the sensor unit extends along a direction of the swing.
• In the mounting method of the sensor unit according to this application example, the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment so that the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the surface located on the sports equipment side of the sensor unit extends along the direction of the swing. Accordingly, an angle formed between the surface located on the sports equipment side of the mounted sensor unit and the swing direction approximates to a right angle. Therefore, even when acceleration acting in the swing direction applies a strong force to the sensor unit in a direction opposite to the swing direction, a force to rotate the sensor unit around an axis of the sports equipment is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that a position or a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this manner, according to the mounting method of the sensor unit in the application example, it is possible to reduce the effects of acceleration acting on the sensor unit in the swing direction.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE 10
• Amounting method of a sensor unit according to this application example is a mounting method in which a sensor unit for detecting an inertial amount generated by a swing is mounted on a sports equipment. The method includes preparing the sports equipment, preparing the sensor unit, and mounting the sensor unit on the sports equipment so that a surface located on the sports equipment side of the sensor unit is a surface orthogonal to a direction of the swing.
• In the mounting method of the sensor unit according to this application example, the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment so that the surface located on the sports equipment side of the sensor unit is the surface orthogonal to the direction of the swing. Accordingly, an angle formed between the surface located on the sports equipment side of the mounted sensor unit and the swing direction approximates to a right angle. Therefore, even when acceleration acting in the swing direction applies a strong force to the sensor unit in a direction opposite to the swing direction, a force to rotate the sensor unit around an axis of the sports equipment is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that a position or a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this manner, according to the mounting method of the sensor unit in the application example, it is possible to reduce the effects of acceleration acting on the sensor unit in the swing direction.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE 11
• Amounting method of a sensor unit according to this application example is a mounting method in which a sensor unit for detecting an inertial amount generated by a swing is mounted on a sports equipment including a hitting surface. The method includes preparing the sports equipment, preparing the sensor unit, and mounting the sensor unit on the sports equipment so that a detection axis of the inertial amount generated along a direction orthogonal to a surface located on the sports equipment side of the sensor unit extends along a direction orthogonal to the hitting surface.
• In the mounting method of the sensor unit according to this application example, the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment so that the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the surface located on the sports equipment side of the sensor unit extends along the direction orthogonal to the hitting surface of the sports equipment. Accordingly, the surface located on the sports equipment side of the mounted sensor unit and the hitting surface of the sports equipment are approximately parallel to each other. That is, an angle formed between the surface located on the sports equipment side of the mounted sensor unit and the swing direction approximates to a right angle. Therefore, even when acceleration acting in the swing direction applies a strong force to the sensor unit in a direction opposite to the direction of the swing, a force to rotate the sensor unit around an axis of the sports equipment is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that a position or a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this manner, according to the mounting method of the sensor unit in the application example, it is possible to reduce the effects of acceleration acting on the sensor unit in the swing direction.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE 12
• The mounting method of the sensor unit according to the application example described above may further include preparing a holding tool for mounting the sensor unit on the sport equipment, and mounting the holding tool on the sports equipment. In mounting the sensor unit on the sports equipment, the sensor unit may be mounted on the sports equipment by causing the holding tool mounted on the sports equipment to hold the sensor unit.
• In the mounting method of the sensor unit according to this application example, a force which is generated by acceleration acting in the swing direction so as to rotate the mounted holding tool around an axis of the sports equipment is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that a position or a posture of the sensor unit may be misaligned. In this manner, according to the mounting method of the sensor unit in the application example, it is possible to reduce the effects of acceleration acting on the sensor unit in the swing direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.
• FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating a state where a holding tool according to the present embodiment is mounted on a sports equipment (golf club).
• FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating a range indicated by A inFIG. 1, and is a schematic view illustrating a process where a sensor unit is fitted to the holding tool according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating the range indicated by A inFIG. 1, and is a schematic view illustrating a sensor-installed sports equipment in a state where the holding tool according to the embodiment has been mounted on the sports equipment and the sensor unit has been fitted to the holding tool.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holding tool according to the embodiment, and is a perspective view when viewed in a direction of an arrow indicated by J inFIG. 11.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view when the sensor unit according to the embodiment is planarly viewed from an upper surface thereof.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic view when the sensor unit according to the embodiment is planarly viewed from a lower surface thereof.
• FIG. 7 is a schematic view when the sensor unit according to the embodiment is viewed in a direction of an arrow indicated by F inFIG. 5.
• FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section in which the sensor unit according to the embodiment is cut away along line B-B′ inFIGS. 5 and 6.
• FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section in which the sensor unit according to the embodiment is cut away along line C-C′ inFIG. 6 and line E-E′ inFIG. 7.
• FIG. 10 is a schematic view when the holding tool according to the embodiment is planarly viewed from a mounting surface side thereof.
• FIG. 11 is a schematic view when the holding tool according to the embodiment is viewed in a direction of an arrow indicated by G inFIG. 10.
• FIG. 12 is a schematic view when the holding tool according to the embodiment is viewed in a direction of an arrow indicated by H inFIG. 10.
• FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a mounting method of the sensor unit according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section in a state where the holding tool according to the embodiment is mounted on the sports equipment (golf club).
• FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematic views illustrating each cross section in a state where the sensor unit and the holding tool are mounted on the golf club by using a mounting method according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 16 is an enlarged view illustrating a range indicated by J inFIGS. 15A and 15B.
• FIG. 17 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section taken along line L-L′ inFIG. 16.
• FIG. 18 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section taken along line M-M′ inFIG. 17.
• FIG. 19 is a schematically enlarged view illustrating an operation state of a pressing projection.
• FIGS. 20A to 20D are schematic views illustrating some examples of an external shape of a direction indicator in the sensor unit.
• FIG. 21 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section in a state where a sensor unit and a holding tool are mounted on a golf club by using a mounting method in the related art.
• FIG. 22 is an external view illustrating the sports equipment and a motion analysis device according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating the motion analysis device according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 24 is a view for describing a mounting method of a sensor unit in the related art.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
• Hereinafter, some embodiments according to the invention will be described. The embodiments described below are intended to describe an example of the invention. Without being limited to the following embodiments at all, the invention includes various modification examples which are embodied within the scope not changing the gist of the invention. All configurations described below are not necessarily indispensable configurations of the invention.
1. Sensor Set
• A sensor set according to the embodiment includes a holding tool and a sensor unit. The holding tool according to the embodiment is mounted on a sports equipment so as to clasp the sports equipment. The holding tool is a tool or an attachment for mounting the sensor unit (to be described later) on the sports equipment. In the description herein, the meaning of “the holding tool clasps the sports equipment” indicates that the holding tool is mounted on and fixed to (held by) the sports equipment having a rod shape, a columnar shape, or a cylindrical shape so as to clasp (grasp, clutch, or grip) the sports equipment. The meaning may indicate a state where the holding tool is fixed to (held by) the sports equipment by covering at least a half peripheral portion of the sports equipment without covering the entire periphery. In other words, this aspect can be described by the meanings of “the holding tool seizes the sports equipment” and “the holding tool is attached to the sports equipment by seizing the sports equipment”.
1.1. Sports Equipment
• The sports equipment on which the holding tool and the sensor unit are mounted will be described. For example, the sports equipment on which the holding tool according to the embodiment is mounted has a clasp-available shape such as a rod shape, a columnar shape, and a cylindrical shape. As long as the sports equipment performs swinging movement independently or passively, the shape is not limited thereto. For example, the swinging movement may be accompanied by spatial position movement, a change in shapes or postures, rotations, and vibrations. This sports equipment includes equipment used in various athletic sports, for example, golf clubs, baseball bats, tennis racquets, and bamboo swords for Kendo.
• Hereinafter, a case where the sports equipment is the golf club will be described. Although no particular limitation is imposed on the golf club, a case where a shaft of the golf club has a rubber grip attached thereto will be described. In this description, an aspect will be described in which the holding tool according to the embodiment clasps a portion of the rubber grip. However, the shaft may be clasped, or a boundary portion therebetween may be clasped.
1.2. Holding Tool
• A holdingtool20 according to the embodiment has a curved plate shape, and clasps a rod-shaped golf club200 (sports equipment). For example, the holdingtool20 may be configured to include a mechanism for fixing asensor unit10.
• FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating a state where the holdingtool20 according to the embodiment is mounted on thegolf club200.FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating a range indicated by A inFIG. 1, and is a schematic view illustrating a process where thesensor unit10 is fitted to the holdingtool20 according to the embodiment.FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating the range indicated by A inFIG. 1, and is a schematic view illustrating a state where thesensor unit10 has been fitted to the holdingtool20 according to the embodiment.
• As illustrated inFIG. 1, thesensor unit10 internally including a sensor portion13 (not illustrated) is mounted on the holdingtool20 which can be mounted on agrip portion200aof thegolf club200 viafitting portions20band20cin a direction of an arrow illustrated inFIG. 2. As illustrated inFIG. 3, thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200.
• As illustrated inFIG. 3, a sensor set100 (including the holdingtool20 and thesensor unit10 fitted to the holding tool20) according to the embodiment is mounted on thegolf club200 serving as the sports equipment. That is, when the holdingtool20 is mounted on thegolf club200 and thefitting portions20band20care fitted to thesensor unit10, thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200 so as to surround thegolf club200.
• A material of the holdingtool20 is not particularly limited as long as a biasing force for clasping thegolf club200 can be obtained. For example, if polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, ABS resin, fluororesin, acrylic resin, or synthetic resin such as a copolymer of these materials is used, the material can contribute to weight reduction of the holdingtool20.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holding tool20 (referring toFIG. 11, the viewing direction is a direction of an arrow indicated by J). As illustrated inFIG. 4, the holdingtool20 may have thefitting portions20band20con a distal end side for use in clasping thegolf club200. The distal end side for use in clasping thegolf club200 is a portion where thegolf club200 is first gripped when the holdingtool20 clasps thegolf club200. A cutting plane P cut away by a plane orthogonal to an extending direction (longitudinal direction of the shaft) of thegolf club200 can be referred to as an end portion side of the holdingtool20.
• For example, thefitting portions20band20chave a function for being fitted to the sensor unit10 (to be described later). Thesefitting portions20band20cenable thesensor unit10 to be stably mounted on thegolf club200 in such a way that dropping, misalignment, or rotating of thesensor unit10 is less likely to occur.
• Thefitting portions20band20cwill be described in detail later. When the holdingtool20 is mounted on thegolf club200 and thefitting portions20band20care fitted to thesensor unit10, thesensor unit10 and the holding tool20 (sensor set100) are mounted on thegolf club200 so as to surround thegolf club200. Furthermore, when thefitting portions20band20care fitted to thesensor unit10, a degree of biasing thegolf club200 may be heightened. According to this configuration, thesensor unit10 can be more stably mounted on thegolf club200 in such a way that dropping, misalignment, or rotating of thesensor unit10 is less likely to occur.
• The embodiment adopts an aspect in which thefitting portions20band20chave a rail shape and are inserted into grooves (grooves11dand11einFIG. 6 (to be described later)) belonging to thesensor unit10 so as to be slidingly fitted to thesensor unit10. However, the aspect is not particularly limited as long as thesensor unit10 can be fixed to thegolf club200.
1.3. Sensor Unit
• Referring toFIGS. 5 to 9, thesensor unit10 will be described.FIG. 5 is a schematic view when the sensor unit is planarly viewed from an upper surface, andFIG. 6 is a schematic view when the sensor unit is planarly viewed from a lower surface.FIG. 7 is a schematic view when the sensor unit is viewed in a direction of an arrow indicated by F inFIG. 5, andFIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section in which the sensor unit is cut away along line B-B′ inFIGS. 5 and 6.FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section in which the sensor unit is cut away along line C-C′ inFIG. 6 and line E-E′ inFIG. 7.
• Thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200, and detects an inertial amount (for example, angular speed or acceleration) generated by a swing. According to the embodiment, in thesensor unit10, three detection axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) which are orthogonal to each other are defined. InFIGS. 5 to 9, respective directions of the three detection axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) of thesensor unit10 are also illustrated.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9, thesensor unit10 configures a housing in which aninternal space10ais formed by acover12 fixed to abase11 by ascrew14. On asurface11aon theinternal space10aside of thebase11, acircuit board13awhich is thesensor portion13 serving as a detector of thesensor unit10 configured to include anelectronic device13band thecircuit board13ahaving theelectronic device13bmounted thereon is fixedly attached to thesurface11aof the base11 by means of adhesion. At least oneelectronic device13bincludes an inertial sensor such as a three-axis acceleration sensor and a three-axis angular speed sensor.
• The three detection axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) of the inertial sensor may be respectively coincident with the three detection axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) defined for thesensor unit10. Alternatively, thesensor unit10 may store correction parameters corresponding to previously calculated errors of the detection axes, and may output an inertial amount of the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis by using the correction parameters and correcting an error amount of a detection value of the inertial sensor. Thesensor unit10 may not perform correction calculation, and may output data relating to the inertial amount of the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, which includes the errors. An external device (motion analysis device) which receives the data may perform the correction calculation.
• Means for fixing thecover12 to thebase11 is not limited to thescrew14. For example, adhesion may be used, and fixing by means of welding can also be used if thebase11 and thecover12 are formed of a plastic material.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, in thebase11,projections11band11cextend in parallel with each other along a direction of the Y-axis. Agroove11dserving as a recessed portion is formed in theprojection11balong the direction of the Y-axis, and agroove11eserving as a recessed portion is also formed in theprojection11calong the direction of the Y-axis. As illustrated inFIG. 8, openings of thegroove11dand thegroove11ein a direction of the X-axis are formed so as to face each other. As illustrated inFIG. 9, a side of thegroove11dand thegroove11ein the direction of the Y-axis (+), that is, a side in an incorporating direction of thesensor unit10 illustrated inFIG. 2 is open, and agroove wall11fis formed in the opposite direction. As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 9, acutout portion11gis formed in theprojection11bserving as an engagement portion for engaging with a disengagement preventing projection of the holdingtool20, and acutout portion11his formed in theprojection11c.
• According to the embodiment, in thesensor unit10, the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along a direction orthogonal to a surface located on thegolf club200 side when thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200 may be set to extend along a direction of a swing. Alternatively, a surface located on thegolf club200 side when thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200 may be set to be a surface orthogonal to the direction of the swing. Alternatively, in thesensor unit10, the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the surface located on thegolf club200 side when thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200 may be set to extend along a direction orthogonal to a hitting surface (face of a head) of thegolf club200. Alternatively, in thesensor unit10, the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the surface located on thegolf club200 side in a state before a user starts a swing (state at a golf address position) when thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200 may be set to extend along a ball target direction.
• According to the embodiment, when thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200, a lower surface (bottom surface) of thesensor unit10 which faces thegolf club200 is the surface located on thegolf club200 side. Therefore, according to the embodiment, in thesensor unit10, the Z-axis extending along a direction orthogonal to the lower surface (bottom surface) among the three detection axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) which are orthogonal to each other may be set to extend along the direction of the swing (to be most approximate to the swing direction). Alternatively, in thesensor unit10, the lower surface (bottom surface) may be set to be the surface orthogonal to the direction of the swing. Alternatively, in thesensor unit10, the lower surface (bottom surface) may be set to extend along a direction orthogonal to the face of thegolf club200. Alternatively, in thesensor unit10, the Z-axis extending along the direction orthogonal to the lower surface (bottom surface) may be set to extend along the ball target direction (to be most approximate to the ball target direction) at the user's golf address position.
• For example, the meaning of “being set” may indicate that a predetermined detection axis of thesensor unit10 is determined in advance to extend along a predetermined direction (for example, the Z-axis extends in the direction of the swing), or may indicate that a direction in which thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200 is determined in advance. For example, an instruction manual of thesensor unit10 may instruct how to mount thesensor unit10 so that the Z-axis becomes parallel to the direction of the swing or so that the lower surface (bottom surface) becomes parallel to the face of thegolf club200.
1.4. Fitting and Assembling
• FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate the holdingtool20.FIG. 10 is a plan view of the holdingtool20,FIG. 11 is a side view when the holdingtool20 is viewed in a direction of an arrow indicated by G inFIG. 10, andFIG. 12 is a side view when the holdingtool20 is viewed in a direction of an arrow indicated by H inFIG. 10.FIGS. 10 to 12 also illustrate respective directions of the three detection axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) of thesensor unit10 when thesensor unit10 is mounted on the holdingtool20.
• As illustrated inFIG. 12, the holdingtool20 includes a mountingsurface20ato be mounted on thegolf club200 so as to be wound therearound, afitting portion20bserving as a projection-shaped portion which is inserted into thegroove11dof thesensor unit10 illustrated inFIG. 2, which projects in the direction of the X-axis (−), and which extends in the direction of the Y-axis, and afitting portion20cserving as a projection-shaped portion which is inserted into thegroove11e, which projects in the direction of the X-axis (+), and which extends in the direction of the Y-axis.
• As illustrated inFIG. 11, oneend portion20dof the holdingtool20 in the direction of the ±Y-axis is formed so as to extend along a plane X-Z, but theother end portion20eintersects a plane X-Z. In this example, theother end portion20eis formed in a shape extending along a columnar plane Co. As a result, as illustrated inFIG. 10, a planar shape of theother end portion20eis a concave shape. Since theother end portion20eis formed in this way, oneend portion20dis allowed to have a clearly different shape. Therefore, for example, when thesensor unit10 to be fitted to the holdingtool20 has a function by which the incorporating direction is designated, the holdingtool20 is mounted on thegolf club200 after aligning theother end portion20ehaving a different shape with thegolf club200 as an indicator to indicate the incorporating direction. In this manner, it is possible to prevent thesensor unit10 from being erroneously mounted thereon in the incorporating direction. The embodiment is not limited to a case where theother end portion20eis allowed to have a shape which is different from that of oneend portion20d. Theother end portion20emay be provided with a simple marking.
• The holdingtool20 may includedisengagement preventing projections20fand20gof thesensor unit10. Thedisengagement preventing projections20fand20gengage with an engagement portion (not illustrated) of thesensor unit10 when thesensor unit10 is incorporated therein (to be described later), thereby preventing thesensor unit10 from disengaging from the holdingtool20. Since thedisengagement preventing projections20fand20gare provided, there may be providedpressing projections20hand20jfor disengaging thedisengagement preventing projections20fand20gfrom the engagement portion of thesensor unit10 when thesensor unit10 is detached from the holdingtool20. When the sensor unit is detached from the holdingtool20, thepressing projections20hand20jare pressed by afinger300 in an arrow direction as illustrated inFIG. 12, and a distance between thedisengagement preventing projections20fand20gis shortened. Then, thesensor unit10 can be detached from the holdingtool20 by disengaging thedisengagement preventing projections20fand20gfrom the engagement portion of thesensor unit10.
1.5. Mounting Method of Sensor Unit
• Next, a method of mounting thesensor unit10 on thegolf club200 will be described with reference to a flowchart inFIG. 13. As illustrated inFIG. 13, a user first prepares thegolf club200, thesensor unit10, and the holding tool20 (S10, S20, and S30). Next, the user mounts the holdingtool20 on the golf club200 (S40).
• Next, the user mounts thesensor unit10 on thegolf club200 by causing the holdingtool20 mounted on thegolf club200 to hold the sensor unit10 (S50). In this step S50, the user may mount thesensor unit10 on thegolf club200 so that the Z-axis of thesensor unit10 extends along the direction of the swing. Alternatively, the user may mount thesensor unit10 on thegolf club200 so that the lower surface (bottom surface) of thesensor unit10 becomes a surface orthogonal to the direction of the swing. Alternatively, the user may mount thesensor unit10 on thegolf club200 so that the Z-axis of thesensor unit10 extends along a direction orthogonal to the face of thegolf club200. Alternatively, the user may mount thesensor unit10 on thegolf club200 so that the Z-axis of thesensor unit10 extends along the ball target direction at the user's golf address position.
• FIG. 14 is a sectional view for describing a state where the holdingtool20 is mounted on thegolf club200. As illustrated inFIG. 14, the holdingtool20 is mounted on thegrip portion200aof thegolf club200. Thegrip portion200ahas a configuration in which agrip rubber200cfor preventing slip is applied to or wound around ashaft portion200b. For example, thegrip rubber200cis formed of an elastic material such as rubber and urethane elastomer. A repulsive force generated by the mountingsurface20a(inner surface of the holding tool20) of the holdingtool20 compressing a portion between thegrip rubber200cand the shaft portion increases a frictional force between the holdingtool20 and thegrip rubber200c. In this manner, the holdingtool20 can become less likely to be misaligned with thegolf club200.
• In the embodiment, a form in which the holdingtool20 is mounted on thegolf club200 has been described as an example. However, for example, when the grip portion does not include means for preventing slip as in a baseball bat, an elastic member like thegrip rubber200cillustrated inFIG. 14 may be interposed between the baseball bat and the mountingsurface20aof the holdingtool20. A member for preventing slip which serves as a so-called interposed member may be arranged therein. As a material of the interposed member, it is preferable to use an elastic resin such as rubber and urethane elastomer, or soft metal.
• FIGS. 15A and 15B are sectional views taken at a position corresponding to line B-B′ illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, in a state where the holdingtool20 and thesensor unit10 are mounted on thegolf club200 by using the mounting method according to the embodiment.FIGS. 15A and 15B also illustrate respective directions of the three axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) of thesensor unit10. InFIGS. 15A and 15B, ahead202 of thegolf club200 is also illustrated by a dashed line in order to facilitate subsequent description. Except for a position and orientation of thehead202, both drawings are the same as each other. Thesensor unit10 is moved to the holdingtool20 mounted on thegolf club200 as illustrated inFIG. 2, in the arrow direction. As illustrated inFIG. 15A or 15B, thefitting portion20band thefitting portion20cwhich are included in the holdingtool20 are inserted into thegroove11dand thegroove11ewhich are formed in thesensor unit10. Specifically, thefitting portions20band20care slidingly inserted into thegrooves11dand11e. In this manner, thesensor unit10 is mounted on the holdingtool20 mounted on thegolf club200.
• As illustrated inFIG. 14, if the holdingtool20 is mounted on thegrip portion200aof thegolf club200, thegrip rubber200cof thegrip portion200ais interposed between the mountingsurface20aof the holdingtool20 and theshaft portion200b. In this state, due to the elasticity of thegrip rubber200c, a mountingopening20kfacing the mountingsurface20ais displaced and widened. Thefitting portion20band thefitting portion20care brought into a state of afitting portion20b′ and afitting portion20c′ which are moved outward.
• As illustrated inFIG. 15A or 15B, thefitting portion20band thefitting portion20cin the state of thefitting portion20b′ and thefitting portion20c′ are inserted into thegroove11dand thegroove11e, positions thereof are corrected in a direction of an illustrated arrow K by agroove wall surface11jof thegroove11eand agroove wall surface11kof thegroove11eas illustrated inFIG. 16. That is, in the state illustrated inFIG. 15A or 15B, the position of the holdingtool20 is corrected in a direction in which thegrip rubber200cis compressed. In this manner, the holdingtool20 can improve a holding force for holding thegrip portion200a. Therefore, the sensor set100 (sensor unit10 and holding tool20) can be reliably aligned with thegolf club200, and thus thesensor unit10 is less likely to be misaligned even when an inertial force or an impact force is applied to the sensor set100 by a swing of thegolf club200. Accordingly, proper swing data of thegolf club200 can be obtained.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 15A and 15B, according to the embodiment, the Y-axis of thesensor unit10 extends along the longitudinal direction of theshaft portion200bof thegolf club200 in a state where thesensor unit10 is mounted on the holdingtool20 mounted on thegolf club200. The X-axis of thesensor unit10 extends along the direction orthogonal to a direction S of a swing.
• Furthermore, the Z-axis of thesensor unit10 extends along the direction S of the swing. In other words, the lower surface (bottom surface) of thesensor unit10 is the surface orthogonal to the direction S of the swing, or the Z-axis of thesensor unit10 extends along the direction S orthogonal to theface202aof thehead202 of thegolf club200. Therefore, due to acceleration acting in the swing direction, a strong force is applied to thesensor unit10 in a direction opposite to the swing direction so that thesensor unit10 moves away from thegolf club200 in a case ofFIG. 15A, and so that thesensor unit10 moves close to thegolf club200 in a case ofFIG. 15B. However, in any case, a force to rotate thesensor unit10 and the holdingtool20 is weak. Thus, even when swing speed is fast or even when swinging is repeatedly performed, the position or the posture of thesensor unit10 is less likely to be misaligned. Accordingly, proper swing data of thegolf club200 can be obtained.
• FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view taken along line L-L′ inFIG. 16. As illustrated inFIG. 17, thesensor unit10 is moved to the holdingtool20 in a direction of an illustrated arrow, and thefitting portion20cof the holdingtool20 is relatively inserted into thegroove11e. Similarly, thefitting portion20bof the holdingtool20 is relatively inserted into thegroove11d. Thegroove11eand thefitting portion20ccorrespond to the line L-L′ inFIG. 16. Accordingly, hereinafter, thegroove11eand thefitting portion20cwill be described as an example. The following description is similarly applied to thegroove11dand thefitting portion20b.
• When thesensor unit10 is inserted into the holdingtool20 in the direction of the illustrated arrow, first, an end portion of thefitting portion20clocated on oneend portion20dside of the holdingtool20 starts to be inserted into thegroove11e. Thefitting portion20cis formed so that a thickness (direction of the Z-axis) t2 on oneend portion20dside and a height s of thegroove11ein the direction of the Z-axis satisfy t2<s. That is, the thickness of thefitting portion20con oneend portion20dside of the holdingtool20 is smaller than the groove height of thegroove11e. In this manner, the fitting portions can be easily incorporated therein when the insertion starts.
• Furthermore, thefitting portion20cis relatively inserted into thegroove11e, and as illustrated inFIG. 17, thedisengagement preventing projection20gof the holdingtool20 is fitted to thecutout portion11hformed in theprojection11c, thereby completing the insertion. In this state, if a thickness t1 of thefitting portion20con theother end portion20eside of the holdingtool20 is formed so as to satisfy a relationship of t1>t2, a gap between thegroove11eand thefitting portion20cin the direction of the Z-axis is further narrowed on theother end portion20eside, compared to oneend portion20dside in the holdingtool20. For example, under a condition of t1≅s or t1>s, thefitting portion20cis brought into a state of being interposed between the surfaces of thegroove11ein the direction of the Z-axis. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent thesensor unit10 from falling down from the holdingtool20. Since a backlash against the holdingtool20 in the direction of the Z-axis is suppressed for thesensor unit10, proper swing data of thegolf club200 can be obtained.
• FIG. 18 is a schematically enlarged sectional view taken along line M-M′ inFIG. 17. As illustrated inFIG. 18, in a state where thefitting portion20cis inserted into thegroove11e, thedisengagement preventing projection20gengages with thecutout portion11hof theprojection11cby an engagement amount δ provided therebetween. This maintains a mounting state between thesensor unit10 and the holdingtool20 as illustrated inFIG. 17.
• When thesensor unit10 is detached from the holdingtool20 in this state, as illustrated inFIG. 19, the pressingprojection20jis pressed in a direction of an illustrated arrow by thefinger300, for example. In this manner, thedisengagement preventing projection20gis separated from thecutout portion11h, and in a state where a gap ε (ε>0) is generated, thesensor unit10 is slid in a direction opposite to an arrow illustrated inFIG. 17, thereby enabling thesensor unit10 to be detached from the holdingtool20. As described above, thedisengagement preventing projections20gand20f, and thecutout portions11hand11gto which thedisengagement preventing projections20gand20fcan be fitted are provided therein. Accordingly, while capability of mounting thesensor unit10 on the holdingtool20 is ensured, thesensor unit10 can be easily detached from the holdingtool20 when necessary.
• According to the embodiment, a user mounts thesensor unit10 on thegolf club200 so that the Z-axis of thesensor unit10 extends along the direction of the swing, in other words, so that the lower surface (bottom surface) of thesensor unit10 is the surface orthogonal to the direction of the swing, or alternatively, so that the Z-axis of thesensor unit10 extends along the direction orthogonal to the face of thegolf club200. Therefore, as means for clearly indicating a direction of at least one detection axis of thesensor unit10, a detection device may be provided with a direction indicator of the detection axis as illustrated inFIGS. 20A to 20D. Any one of the direction indicators illustrated inFIGS. 20A to 20D indicates the direction of the Y-axis.
• A form in which any one ofdirection indicators12a,12b,20m, and20nillustrated inFIGS. 20A to 20D having a projection shape is formed integrally with thecover12 or the holdingtool20 is described as an example. However, without being limited thereto, both of them may have a concave shape formed by means of molding or engraving. A printed mark may also be employed. Without being limited to an arrow shape or a linear shape, any shape mark may be employed as long as directionality can be identified.
• As another modification example, for example, if the detection axis of thesensor unit10 is set in an extending direction of the groove portion and the fitting portion without disposing the direction indicator, the detection axis can be coincident with a predetermined direction by simply operating the base and the holding tool so as to be fitted to each other. Accordingly, it is possible to perform accurate motion detection.
• As described above, thesensor unit10 can be easily mounted on the holdingtool20 mounted on thegolf club200, by simply and slidingly fitting thesensor unit10 to the holdingtool20 so that the rail-shapedfitting portions20band20cincluded in the holdingtool20 are respectively inserted into thegrooves11dand11eincluded in thesensor unit10.
• Furthermore, since thesensor unit10 is mounted on the holdingtool20, thegrip rubber200cincluded in thegrip portion200ais compressed and interposed between the mountingsurface20aof the holdingtool20 and theshaft portion200b, thereby allowing thesensor unit10 to have an improved holding force for holding thegolf club200. In this manner, a mounting position can be prevented from being misaligned due to an inertial force or an impact force which is applied to the sensor set100 by a swing of thegolf club200. Therefore, proper swing data of thegolf club200 can be obtained.
• In addition to the slidingly fitted structure, a method may be employed in which the base and the holding tool are pressed against and fitted to each other by using a structure where a recessed portion such as a groove portion or a hole portion is disposed in any one of the base and the holding tool, and where a projection-shaped portion such as the projection is disposed in the other one of the base and the holding tool.
1.6. Operation Effect
• By comparing with a case where thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200 by using the mounting method in the related art, an operation effect of the mounting method of the sensor set100 and thesensor unit10 according to the embodiment will be described.FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken at a position corresponding to line B-B′ illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, in a state where the holdingtool20 and thesensor unit10 are mounted on thegolf club200 by using the mounting method in the related art.FIG. 21 also illustrates respective directions of the three axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) of thesensor unit10. InFIG. 21, thehead202 of thegolf club200 is also illustrated by a dashed line. As illustrated inFIG. 21, according to the related art, thesensor unit10 is set so that the Z-axis serving as the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the lower surface (bottom surface) located on thegolf club200 side when thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200 is orthogonal to the direction S of the swing. Therefore, if thesensor unit10 and the holdingtool20 are mounted on thegolf club200 in accordance with the setting in the related art, the lower surface (bottom surface) of thesensor unit10 and the swing direction S are approximately parallel to each other. For this reason, if acceleration acting in the swing direction applies a strong force to thesensor unit10 in a direction opposite to the swing direction, a force increases so as to rotate thesensor unit10 and the holdingtool20 around the axis of thegolf club200 in a direction of an arrow R. Consequently, the position or the posture of thesensor unit10 is likely to be misaligned.
• In contrast, in the sensor set100 according to the embodiment, thesensor unit10 is set so that the Z-axis serving as the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the lower surface (bottom surface) located on thegolf club200 side when thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200 extends along the direction of the swing. In other words, thesensor unit10 is set so that the lower surface (bottom surface) located on thegolf club200 side when thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200 is the surface orthogonal to the direction of the swing, or alternatively so that the Z-axis serving as the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the lower surface (bottom surface) located on thegolf club200 side when thesensor unit10 is mounted on thegolf club200 extends along the direction orthogonal to theface202aof thegolf club200. Therefore, when the sensor set100 (sensor unit10 and holding tool20) according to the embodiment is mounted on thegolf club200 in accordance with any one of the above-described settings, an angle formed between the lower surface (bottom surface) of thesensor unit10 and the swing direction approximates to a right angle.
• Specifically, as described in the mounting method of thesensor unit10 according to the embodiment, thesensor unit10 and the holdingtool20 are mounted on thegolf club200 so that the Z-axis of thesensor unit10 extends along the direction of the swing, in other words, so that the lower surface (bottom surface) of thesensor unit10 is the surface orthogonal to the direction of the swing, or alternatively, so that the Z-axis of thesensor unit10 extends along the direction orthogonal to theface202aof thegolf club200. In this manner, an angle formed between the lower surface (bottom surface) of the mountedsensor unit10 and the swing direction approximates to a right angle. Therefore, even when acceleration acting in the swing direction applies a strong force to thesensor unit10 in a direction opposite to the swing direction, a force to rotate thesensor unit10 and the holdingtool20 around the axis of thegolf club200 is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that the position or the posture of thesensor unit10 may be misaligned. In this manner, in the sensor set100 according to the embodiment, thesensor unit10 can be mounted on thegolf club200 so as to reduce the effects of acceleration acting in the swing direction. According to the mounting method of thesensor unit10 in the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the effects of the acceleration acting on thesensor unit10 in the swing direction.
• As described above, according to the sensor set100 in the embodiment or according to the mounting method of thesensor unit10 in the embodiment, even when swing speed is fast or even when swinging is repeatedly performed, the position or the posture of thesensor unit10 is less likely to be misaligned. Accordingly, proper swing data of thegolf club200 can be obtained.
2. Sensor-Installed Sports Equipment
• A sensor-installedsports equipment400 according to the embodiment is a sports equipment such as thegolf club200. For example, the above-described sensor set100 (sensor unit10 and holding tool20) is mounted thereon (refer toFIGS. 3 and 22).
• In particular, in thesports equipment400 according to the embodiment, thesensor unit10 is set so that the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the surface located on thegolf club200 side extends along the direction of the swing. In other words, thesensor unit10 is set so that the surface located on thegolf club200 side is the surface orthogonal to the direction of the swing, or alternatively so that the detection axis of the inertial amount generated along the direction orthogonal to the surface located on thegolf club200 side extends along the direction orthogonal to the hitting surface (face of the head) of thegolf club200. Thissports equipment400 can be realized in such a way that thesensor unit10 and the holdingtool20 in which the Z-axis is set to extend the direction of the swing are mounted on thegolf club200 by using the above-described mounting method.
• According to thissports equipment400, an angle formed between the surface (lower surface (bottom surface)) of thesensor unit10 which is located on thegolf club200 side and the swing direction approximates to a right angle. Therefore, even when acceleration acting in the swing direction applies a strong force to thesensor unit10 in the direction opposite to the swing direction, a force to rotate thesensor unit10 and the holdingtool20 around the axis of thegolf club200 is relatively weak. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibilities that the position or the posture of thesensor unit10 may be misaligned. In this manner, in thesports equipment400 according to the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the effects of the acceleration acting on thesensor unit10 in the swing direction.
• Therefore, according to thesports equipment400 in the embodiment, even when swing speed is fast or even when swinging is repeatedly performed, the position or the posture of thesensor unit10 is less likely to be misaligned. Accordingly, proper swing data of thegolf club200 can be obtained.
3. Motion Analysis Device
• FIG. 22 is an external view illustrating a motion analysis device according to the embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 22, amotion analysis device1000 according to the embodiment includes the above-describedsensor unit10 and acomputer500 which analyzes motion data by acquiring the motion data which is obtained from thegolf club200 serving as the sports equipment by thesensor unit10. Thecomputer500 includes aprocessing unit500bprovided with aninput unit500a, and adisplay unit500cwhich displays a processing result. In the illustrated example, a personal computer500 (hereinafter, referred to as a PC500) is provided therein. However, a mobile terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone may be properly connected thereto by wired or wireless communication. Aprinter600 functioning as an external output may be further provided in order to record an analysis result of thePC500. As will be described later, the embodiment adopts a configuration in which data is transmitted and received between thesensor unit10 and thePC500 by the wireless communication. However, without being limited thereto, the data may be transmitted and received therebetween via a recording medium by attaching the detachable recording medium such as an SD card and a USB memory, for example, to thesensor unit10.
• FIG. 23 illustrates a block diagram of themotion analysis device1000 illustrated inFIG. 22. As illustrated inFIG. 23, thesensor unit10 includes at least aninertial sensor110, adata storage unit120 which stores data while processing the data, and afirst communication unit130 including atransmitter132 which transmits the data to thePC500 and areceiver131 which receives the data transmitted from thePC500. ThePC500 functioning as an analysis device includes asecond communication unit510 including areceiver511 which receives data transmitted from thefirst communication unit130 of thesensor unit10 and atransmitter512 which transmits the data to thefirst communication unit130, aprocessing unit500bwhich includes amotion analyzer520 for processing and analyzing the acquired detection data, and adisplay unit500cwhich displays an analysis result obtained by themotion analyzer520. ThePC500 further has theprinter600 functioning as an external output of the analysis result.
• If a user swings thegolf club200 having thesensor unit10 mounted thereon, theinertial sensor110 detects an inertial force, and transmits detection data to thedata storage unit120. Thedata storage unit120 processes the data into a data format which can be transmitted to thePC500, and then stores (accumulates) the data until a transmission instruction is received from thePC500. When a predetermined swing for the motion analysis is completed, work for the motion analysis starts. If theinput unit500a(not illustrated) commands theprocessing unit500bto start analysis, an instruction to transmit the detection data is transmitted to thefirst communication unit130 from thetransmitter512 of thesecond communication unit510 by wireless communication. Based on the command received by thereceiver131 of thefirst communication unit130, the detection data stored in thedata storage unit120 is transmitted to theprocessing unit500bby thetransmitter132. The embodiment employs a form in which thefirst communication unit130 and thesecond communication unit510 are connected to each other by the wireless communication, but may be connected to each other by wired communication. As described above, the data may be transmitted and received therebetween via a recording medium by attaching the detachable recording medium to thesensor set100.
• The detection data received by thereceiver511 of thesecond communication unit510 is transmitted to themotion analyzer520, and the motion analysis of thegolf club200 is performed, based on a predetermined analysis program. For example, themotion analyzer520 can perform the motion analysis, based on an efficient analysis program in which a calculation amount is reduced by setting the Z-axis of thesensor unit10 to extend along the swing direction. The analysis result is displayed as an image on thedisplay unit500cincluded in thePC500. Alternatively, the analysis result is recorded on and output to a recording medium by theprinter600 functioning as the external output.
• In themotion analysis device1000 according to the embodiment, thesensor unit10 is mounted on the sports equipment (golf club200 in the embodiment) described as an example by using the above-described mounting method and the holdingtool20. Therefore, according to themotion analysis device1000 in the embodiment, even when swing speed is fast or even when swinging is repeatedly performed, the position or the posture of thesensor unit10 is less likely to be misaligned. Accordingly, thePC500 can obtain proper swing data of thegolf club200, and can realize more accurate motion analysis.
• According to the above-described mounting method, thesensor unit10 can be easily attached and detached. Therefore, for example, even when characteristics are analyzed for multiple types of a sports equipment, at least one set of the sensor set100 (sensor unit10 and holding tool20) may be prepared. Accordingly, costs for the analysis can be reduced. A sensor is not mounted on a sports equipment by using the adhesion means disclosed in the related art. Therefore, a period of time required for preparing the analysis can be shortened, and further the sensor is easily detached from the sports equipment after the analysis is completed. A period of time required for the analysis is shortened, and the sports equipment is prevented from becoming dirty due to an adhesive. Accordingly, without degrading a commodity value of the sports equipment, motion characteristics can be analyzed for the sports equipment.
• Without being limited to the above-described embodiment, the invention can be further modified in various ways.
• For example, according to the above-described embodiments, the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment via the holding tool. However, a configuration may be adopted in which a mounting mechanism is disposed in the sensor unit, and in which the sensor unit can be mounted on the sports equipment without using the holding tool.
• The invention includes configurations which are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, the same configurations having the same function, method, and result, or the same configurations having the same object and advantageous effect). The invention includes configurations which replace non-essential elements of the configurations described in the embodiments. The invention includes configurations which can provide operation effects the same as those of the configurations described in the embodiments, or configurations which can achieve the same object. The invention includes configurations in which known techniques are added to the configurations described in the embodiments.
• The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-229770, filed Nov. 12, 2014 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Claims (14)

What is claimed is:

1. A sensor unit which is mounted on a sports equipment so as to detect an inertial amount generated by a swing,

wherein a detection axis of the inertial amount generated along a direction orthogonal to a surface located on the sports equipment side when the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment is set to extend along a direction of the swing.

2. The sensor unit according toclaim 1,

wherein the sensor unit has multiple detection axes, and

wherein one of the detection axes is set to extend along the direction of the swing, and the other one of the detection axes is set to extend along an extending direction of a shaft of the sports equipment.

3. A sensor unit which is mounted on a sports equipment so as to detect an inertial amount generated by a swing,

wherein a surface located on the sports equipment side when the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment is set to be a surface orthogonal to a direction of the swing.

4. A sensor unit which is mounted on a sports equipment so as to detect an inertial amount generated by a swing,

wherein a detection axis of the inertial amount generated along a direction orthogonal to a surface located on the sports equipment side when the sensor unit is mounted on the sports equipment is set to extend along a direction orthogonal to a hitting surface of the sports equipment.

5. The sensor unit according toclaim 4,

wherein the sensor unit has multiple detection axes, and

wherein one of the detection axes is set to extend along the direction orthogonal to the hitting surface of the sports equipment, and the other one of the detection axes is set to extend along an extending direction of a shaft of the sports equipment.

6. A sensor set comprising:

the sensor unit according toclaim 1; and

a holding tool for mounting the sensor unit on the sports equipment.

7. A sensor set comprising:

the sensor unit according toclaim 2; and

a holding tool for mounting the sensor unit on the sports equipment.

8. A sensor set comprising:

the sensor unit according toclaim 3; and

a holding tool for mounting the sensor unit on the sports equipment.

9. A sensor set comprising:

the sensor unit according toclaim 4; and

a holding tool for mounting the sensor unit on the sports equipment.

10. A sensor set comprising:

the sensor unit according toclaim 5; and

a holding tool for mounting the sensor unit on the sports equipment.

11. The sensor unit according toclaim 4 which has a portion to be fitted to a holding tool, and which is mounted on the sports equipment by the portion and the holding tool being fitted to each other.

12. A sports equipment on which the sensor unit according toclaim 1 is mounted.

13. A sports equipment on which the sensor unit according toclaim 3 is mounted.

14. A sports equipment on which the sensor unit according toclaim 4 is mounted.

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