3D-Printed Golf Bag Top Frame for Lightweight Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf bags need to be lightweight, durable, comfortable to carry, and easy to use, while effectively organizing and protecting golf clubs during use, especially for long walks on the course.
Innovation Solution
A golf bag with a top frame featuring a three-dimensional printed structure, lightweight metal sidewalls, and customizable club dividers, along with a handle and leg sub-assembly for ease of carrying and support, enhances durability and organization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional materials and structures are used for the top frame, then durability is improved, but weight increases making the bag harder to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials in the top frame construction, combining lightweight metals (aluminum, magnesium, or titanium) with three-dimensional printed structures. This composite approach achieves both reduced weight and maintained durability, as the 3D printed lattice structures provide structural strength while the lightweight metal reduces overall mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The three-dimensional printed lattice structure inherently creates a porous or hollow internal architecture within the top frame. This porous design reduces material usage and overall weight while maintaining structural integrity through the geometric configuration of the lattice, resolving the contradiction between durability and weight.
2Strength
If more material is used in the top frame, then strength and durability are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The three-dimensional printed lattice structure applies local quality by concentrating material only where structurally necessary within the top frame. The varying density and geometric patterns of the lattice provide strength at critical load-bearing points while minimizing material usage in less critical areas, achieving high strength-to-weight ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional or simple three-dimensional frame structures to complex three-dimensional printed lattice architectures. This dimensional complexity allows for optimized material distribution in three-dimensional space, creating structures that are both lightweight and strong through spatial efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If club dividers are made from traditional materials and methods, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but customization and organization flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The three-dimensional printing process enables parameter changes in club divider design, allowing customization of divider shapes, positions, and configurations. The manufacturing parameters (such as lattice density, material composition, and geometric patterns) can be digitally adjusted to create customized organization solutions without changing the fundamental manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The 3D printed top frame with integrated club dividers achieves multi-functionality by combining structural support, weight reduction, and club organization features in a single component. The same 3D printing process that creates the lightweight lattice structure also forms the club dividers, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to golf bags having a lightweight and durable top frame assembly. The lightweight top frame assembly can have handle and leg sub-assemblies. Three-dimensional printing methods can be used to form the top frame assembly or any portion thereof. The golf bags may include a cord assembly extending across the top frame to form one or more club dividers for organizing golf clubs.