Golf Club Head Face Insert Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf club manufacturers face challenges in creating a club head with maximum size and moment of inertia while maintaining durability and performance characteristics, constrained by USGA regulations.
Innovation Solution
A golf club head design featuring a face insert support structure with non-undercut and undercut regions, strategically placed to optimize weight, moment of inertia, and durability, including a rear support member with specific contour definitions and angles, and an adjustable loft, lie, or face angle system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the club head size and moment of inertia are maximized to improve forgiveness and performance, then the durability and structural integrity may be compromised due to increased stress concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates both undercut and non-undercut regions at different locations within the club head. The non-undercut regions are strategically positioned in areas prone to stress concentrations (such as near the face and crown-sole transitions) to enhance durability, while undercut regions are used in other areas to optimize weight distribution and moment of inertia. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve maximum size and maintain strength.
2Stability of the object's composition
If undercut regions are added to optimize weight distribution and moment of inertia, then the structural integrity and durability may be reduced due to stress concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The design strategically places non-undercut support regions in areas subject to high stress concentrations, such as near the face and at crown-sole transitions, while allowing undercut regions in areas where weight optimization is prioritized. This localized differentiation enables the structure to achieve optimal moment of inertia without compromising structural integrity in critical areas.
3Reliability
If the club head design is optimized for maximum performance characteristics, then the manufacturing complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into distinct undercut and non-undercut regions that can be manufactured as separate components or zones. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific function (weight distribution vs. structural strength) and simplifies the manufacturing process by breaking down the complex geometry into manageable sections that can be produced using standard molding or machining techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club head is described having a club head body having an external surface with a heel portion, a toe portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, and a front opening. The golf club head also includes a face insert support structure located at the front opening. The support structure includes a rear support member. The rear support member includes a support portion interior surface contour defining an apex point and an undercut distance in an undercut region within at least one major or minor plane. A non-undercut region is located in at least one major or minor plane intersecting the crown to face transition region.