Anisotropic Titanium Golf Club Head Stiffness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Golf club heads with high restitution and low weight are challenging to design, as existing materials that reduce weight increase the coefficient of restitution, affecting maneuverability and sweet spot area, and existing regulations further restrict this.
Innovation Solution
A golf club head with a face made of anisotropic titanium alloy, specifically an (α-β) titanium alloy, is created using unidirectional rolling to align the highest Young's modulus perpendicular to the face, increasing stiffness without increasing thickness, thus maintaining a low coefficient of restitution and reducing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the face thickness is reduced to lower stiffness and improve restitution, then the coefficient of restitution increases and driving distance improves, but the fatigue strength decreases and face damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from isotropic to anisotropic Young's modulus by applying unidirectional rolling treatment. This creates directional stiffness variation where the face exhibits lower stiffness in the vertical direction (improving restitution) while maintaining higher strength through the material structure, resolving the contradiction between restitution and fatigue strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a titanium alloy with anisotropic properties created through unidirectional rolling, effectively creating a composite-like structure with different mechanical properties in different directions. The rolled material structure provides both the compliance needed for high restitution and the strength needed to prevent face damage
2Weight of moving object
If the face thickness is reduced to lower weight and improve maneuverability, then the coefficient of restitution increases and driving distance improves, but the coefficient of restitution exceeds the regulated value of 0.83
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the material parameter by introducing anisotropy through unidirectional rolling, which allows the face to be thinner and lighter while controlling the restitution characteristics. The directional properties enable weight reduction without exceeding the COR limit, as the anisotropic structure provides controlled elasticity
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional cross-rolling is used to manufacture the face, then the Young's modulus becomes isotropic and manufacturing is simplified, but the stiffness is insufficient to achieve both low COR and high fatigue strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies unidirectional rolling instead of conventional cross-rolling, creating asymmetric material properties in the rolled direction. This asymmetric processing introduces anisotropy in Young's modulus, providing enhanced stiffness and controlled elasticity that isotropic cross-rolling cannot achieve, while still maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The anisotropic titanium alloy golf club head achieves improved stiffness and reduced weight, maintaining a coefficient of restitution below the regulatory limit, enhancing hitability and maneuverability while adhering to tournament standards.
Implementation Method 1
Creation of anisotropy in Young's modulus in the material of club face increases the stiffness compared with the material having non-anisotropy therein
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a golf club head which has the coefficient of restitution within the regulated range and which is easy for hitting balls. The ball-hitting face is made of a material anisotropic in Young's modulus. Preferably the direction of the largest Young's modulus on the face material is perpendicular to the horizontal direction on the face.