Golf Club Head Weight Adjustment via Internal Ball-in-Socket Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf club heads have fixed structural properties, limiting their adaptability to individual golfer's swing characteristics, as existing adjustable features often allow weight adjustment only along one or two axes, and externally located weights are prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A golf club head with a weight adjustable along three axes, utilizing a ball-in-socket joint and threaded sleeve mechanism for precise positioning within a hollow interior chamber, along with a clamping mechanism and optional struts or elastomeric bands for support, allowing for customizable center of gravity adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed structural properties are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to individual golfer's swing characteristics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the weight position within the club head to be changed by the user. A threaded shaft with an externally accessible head enables the weight to be rotated and repositioned along the shaft, transforming the fixed structural property into an adjustable one, thereby adapting to different swing characteristics without requiring multiple different club heads.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight adjustment mechanism is segmented into independent components: a removable weight, a threaded shaft, and an externally accessible adjustment head. This segmentation allows the adjustment mechanism to be integrated into the club head design while maintaining relative simplicity, as each component can be independently manufactured and assembled.
2Reliability
If externally located weights are used, then adjustment accessibility is improved, but durability deteriorates due to susceptibility to damage from external impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The weight is nested within the club head body, specifically positioned in a recessed area that provides internal protection. The externally accessible threaded shaft head allows adjustment operation from outside the club head, while the weight itself remains protected inside, combining the benefits of both external accessibility and internal protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded shaft acts as an intermediary mechanism between the external adjustment operation and the internal weight. The externally accessible head of the shaft allows the user to rotate and reposition the weight from outside the club head, while the weight remains protected within the club head structure, eliminating the need for external weight placement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If weight adjustment is limited to one or two axes, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to restricted range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a threaded shaft oriented in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the club head's primary axis, creating a second dimension for weight adjustment. This allows the weight to be repositioned not only along the club head's longitudinal axis but also in a perpendicular direction, expanding the range of motion from one axis to two axes and significantly improving adaptability.
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
Enhances performance by allowing comprehensive weight distribution adjustments, improving the club's range of motion and durability by securing the weight internally, reducing the risk of damage from external impacts.
Implementation Method 1
threaded sleeve mechanism for precise positioning
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a ball-in-socket joint and threaded sleeve mechanism
Implementation Method 3
along with a clamping mechanism and optional struts or elastomeric bands for support
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club head includes a striking face, and a body coupled to the striking face. The body includes a crown, a sole disposed in generally opposed relation to the crown, and a back extending away from the striking face. The striking face and body collectively define a hollow interior chamber. A weight is disposed entirely within the interior chamber. An adjustment mechanism is coupled to the body and the weight to enable external adjustment of the weight along three axes.