Golf Club Coupling Vibration Isolation via Segmented Composite Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Golf club designs fail to adequately isolate undesirable vibrations during impact, resulting in inadequate vibration dampening and a feel that is not tailorable to individual golfers.

Innovation Solution

A coupling system is introduced, comprising a shaft engagement element with a high Young's modulus and a spacer with a lower Young's modulus, which together provide bending stiffness comparable to the golf shaft while attenuating vibrations, thereby isolating the golf shaft from the club head.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid coupling is used to secure the golf shaft to the club head, then structural integrity and bending stiffness are improved, but vibration dampening and isolation of undesirable vibrations deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending stiffnessVSAvoidvibration isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is divided into two distinct segments: a shaft engagement element with high Young's modulus for structural integrity, and a spacer element with lower Young's modulus for vibration dampening. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling system uses composite construction by combining materials with different mechanical properties - a stiff material (high Young's modulus) for the shaft engagement element and a more compliant material (lower Young's modulus) for the spacer. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of bending stiffness and vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If vibration dampening materials are added to isolate vibrations, then vibration isolation is improved, but structural integrity and bending stiffness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration dampeningVSAvoidbending stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is divided into two distinct segments: a shaft engagement element with high Young's modulus for structural integrity, and a spacer element with lower Young's modulus for vibration dampening. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling system uses composite construction by combining materials with different mechanical properties - a stiff material (high Young's modulus) for the shaft engagement element and a more compliant material (lower Young's modulus) for the spacer. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of bending stiffness and vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If the coupling structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but vibration dampening capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling structureVSAvoidvibration isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is divided into two distinct segments: a shaft engagement element with high Young's modulus for structural integrity, and a spacer element with lower Young's modulus for vibration dampening. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling system uses composite construction by combining materials with different mechanical properties - a stiff material (high Young's modulus) for the shaft engagement element and a more compliant material (lower Young's modulus) for the spacer. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of bending stiffness and vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 coupling system effectively reduces high-frequency vibrations, providing a softer feel and allowing for customizable vibration dampening without compromising structural integrity, as demonstrated by accelerometer data showing reduced acceleration and frequency responses.

Implementation Method 1

a spacer with a lower Young's modulus, which together provide bending stiffness comparable to the golf shaft while attenuating vibrations, thereby isolating the golf shaft from the club head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration dampening: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10974101B2Couplings for securing golf shaft to golf club head

Publication Date: 2021.04.13 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A coupling for securing a golf shaft to a golf club head includes a first component configured to contact, and engage with, the golf shaft, and a second component bonded to the first component and configured to space the first component from the golf club head. The second component includes a second material having a Young's modulus less than a first material of the first component. In another aspect, a coupling includes a shaft engagement element, and a spacer configured to space the first component from the golf club head so that the golf shaft is above the golf club head in its entirety. The spacer includes a material having a Young's modulus no greater than about 10 Gpa. In another aspect, a kit includes a first coupling and a second coupling with at least one of a structural configuration or a material of a vibration dampening element differing.