Golf Club Inertia Optimization for Head Speed and Distance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf clubs face challenges in achieving a balance between increasing head weight for improved flight distance while maintaining ease of swing, as higher head weights can make the club harder to swing and reduce head speed.
Innovation Solution
A golf club design that optimizes the inertia moments about the swing axis and grip end, with specific weight and moment ratios, and a hollow wood-type head, utilizing a carbon fiber reinforced resin shaft, to enhance head speed and flight distance while maintaining a balanced swing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If head weight is increased to improve flight distance, then kinetic energy and initial velocity of the ball are improved, but ease of swing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the moment of inertia about the grip end (Ige) within the range of 2760-2820 kg·cm² and the ratio Isw/Ige at 2.42 or less. These specific parameter ranges optimize the balance between head weight for kinetic energy and swing ease, resolving the contradiction between improving ball initial velocity and maintaining swingability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics by considering the moment of inertia about the swing axis (Isw) in addition to the grip end (Ige). This dynamic approach allows the club to adapt to different swing phases, providing both the weight needed for kinetic energy transfer and the balance needed for ease of swing through optimized inertial properties.
2Length of moving object
If head weight is increased to improve flight distance, then flight distance is improved, but club inertia moment increases making swing harder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the inertial parameters to specific ranges: Ige between 2760-2820 kg·cm² and Isw/Ige ratio of 2.42 or less. These parameter changes allow the club to achieve sufficient head weight for flight distance while controlling the overall inertia to maintain swingability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the inertia control into two distinct components: moment of inertia about the grip end (Ige) and moment of inertia about the swing axis (Isw). By independently optimizing these two inertial properties, the patent achieves both increased flight distance through adequate head weight and maintained swing ease through controlled overall inertia.
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 design effectively increases head speed and flight distance by optimizing the inertia moments and weight distribution, allowing for a more efficient swing with a heavier head, thereby applying greater kinetic energy to the ball.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a carbon fiber reinforced resin shaft
Implementation Method 2
A club inertia moment about a swing axis is defined as Isw (kg·cm2). A club inertia moment about a grip end is defined as Ige (kg·cm2).
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club 2 includes a head 4, a shaft 6, and a grip 8. A club inertia moment about a swing axis is defined as Isw. A club inertia moment about a grip end is defined as Ige. Ige is 2760 (kg·cm2) or greater and less than 2820 (kg·cm2). Isw/Ige is equal to or less than 2.42. A club weight is defined as Wc (kg), an axial direction distance from the grip end to a center of gravity of the club is defined as Lc (cm), and a club inertia moment about the center of gravity of the club is defined as Ic (kg·cm2). Isw is calculated by Equation (1) below. Ige is calculated by Equation (2) below.Isw=Wc×(Lc+60)2+Ic (1)Ige=Wc×(Lc)2+Ic (2)