Golf Club Damping Element for Ball Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional golf club heads with thin faces produce non-uniform ball speeds across the striking face, leading to significant distance variations depending on the impact location, and often result in reduced launch velocities when striking off-center.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastomer element between the back portion and the striking face of the golf club head, which can be adjusted for compression, to promote more uniform ball speeds and improved launch velocity consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a thin-faced club head is used, then launch velocity can be increased, but ball speed becomes non-uniform across the striking face
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing a deformable member specifically at the center region of the striking face, creating a localized stiffness enhancement. This allows the majority of the face to remain thin and flexible for high launch velocities, while the specific impact zone has increased stiffness to ensure uniform ball speeds across the face.
Solution Approach 2:
The club head is segmented into regions with different mechanical properties: a thin flexible face for overall energy transfer, and a localized deformable member at the center for precision control. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
2Manufacturing precision
If the face thickness is increased to improve ball speed uniformity, then launch velocity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly thickening the entire face, the invention applies a deformable member only to the center region where precision is most critical. This localized approach maintains thin-face characteristics for high launch velocity while providing sufficient stiffness at the impact zone for uniform ball speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The club head combines materials with different mechanical properties: a thin face material for flexibility and high launch velocity, and a deformable member material with higher stiffness for ball speed uniformity. This composite construction allows optimization of both competing requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If a deformable member is added to control ball speed, then manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable member is designed as a separate, discrete component that can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the club head. This modular segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process compared to creating a monolithic complex structure, as each component can be optimized and produced separately using standard manufacturing techniques.
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 elastomer element reduces deflection at the center of the striking face, leading to more uniform ball speeds across the face and increased flight distance, while allowing for adjustable performance to suit individual golfer needs.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable member residing between the back portion and the rear surface of the striking face
Implementation Method 2
it is also preferable for a golf club head to produce a pleasant sound to the golfer when the golf club head strikes the golf ball
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club head including a club head body comprising a back portion, a striking face, and an interior cavity formed between the back portion and the striking face, wherein the striking face includes a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface, a deformable member residing between the back portion and the rear surface of the striking face, wherein the deformable member includes a front surface in contact with the rear surface of the striking face, wherein the deformable member includes a rear surface in contact with the back portion, wherein the deformable member includes a free thickness and an installed thickness, and wherein the free thickness is at least 5% greater than the installed thickness.