Golf Club Head Damping Layout for Uniform Face Ball Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional golf clubs exhibit non-uniform ball speeds and distances due to varying compliance across the striking face, leading to significant losses in flight distance for off-center strikes and reduced overall distance for center strikes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a damping element between the striking face and the rear surface of the golf club head, positioned to reduce deflection at the geometric center while maintaining uniformity of launch velocities across the striking face.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the striking face is made thin to increase ball speed at center strikes, then ball speed at center strikes is improved, but uniformity of ball speed across the striking face deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveball speed at center strikesVSAvoiduniformity of ball speed across striking face
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing a damping element specifically at the geometric center of the striking face, where compliance is highest. This localized intervention reduces deflection only at the center region, allowing the rest of the face to maintain its thin, high-speed characteristics while achieving uniform ball speed distribution across the entire face.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the striking face is made thick to improve uniformity of ball speed, then uniformity of ball speed across the striking face is improved, but ball speed at center strikes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of ball speed across striking faceVSAvoidball speed at center strikes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the striking face by introducing a damping element that modifies the local compliance characteristics. The damping element has specific material properties (density, damping coefficient) that are optimized to reduce center-face deflection without significantly altering the overall face thickness, thereby maintaining high ball speeds while improving uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If a damping element is added to the cavity to reduce center face deflection, then uniformity of ball speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of ball speedVSAvoidclub head structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element is nested within the existing cavity of the club head structure, utilizing the available internal space efficiently. This nesting approach allows the damping element to be integrated into the design without adding external complexity or significantly increasing the overall club head volume, thereby minimizing the impact on device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the damping element is positioned at the geometric center of the striking face, then uniformity of launch velocities is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of launch velocitiesVSAvoidpositioning precision of damping element
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element is designed with an asymmetric shape that is intentionally mismatched to the cavity geometry. This asymmetric design creates a unique fit that allows the element to be positioned correctly through simple insertion, eliminating the need for precise alignment during manufacturing. The asymmetry ensures that only one orientation fits properly, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining the desired center-face positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 damping element enhances uniformity of ball speeds and distances across the striking face, improving consistency and reducing stress on the striking face, while also providing customizable sound and energy dissipation.

Implementation Method 1

a damping element positioned between the support pad and the rear surface of the striking face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

providing customizable sound and energy dissipation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4650013A1Golf club head with ball speed control
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 ACUSHNET CO
  • EP4650013A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4650013A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4650013A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A golf club head including a striking face, a periphery portion surrounding and extending rearwards from the striking face, and a damping element including a first end abutting the striking face. The damping element is installed in the golf club head through an aperture in the toe side of the golf club head.