Golf Club Crown Insert Using Low Modulus Material

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing golf club designs that improve flight characteristics often compromise on durability, weight, and acoustic responses, making it challenging to enhance ball speed and spin while maintaining the club's integrity.

Innovation Solution

A golf club head design featuring a crown with an outer portion made of traditional materials and an inner portion made of low elastic modulus and low density materials, such as magnesium-based or wood-based materials, which reduces mass and increases flexibility, allowing for active recoil channels and discretionary mass adjustments without the need for slots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the crown is made from traditional high-strength materials, then durability is improved, but ball speed performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidball speed

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The crown is divided into two distinct portions: an outer portion made from a first material and an inner portion made from a second material. This segmentation allows each portion to contribute different properties - the outer portion provides structural strength and durability, while the inner portion provides flexibility and enhances ball speed performance through active recoil channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The crown uses a composite structure combining two different materials with complementary properties. The first material in the outer portion provides high strength and durability, while the second material in the inner portion has properties that enhance flexility and energy transfer. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating both strength and speed-enhancing properties in a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Speed

If the crown is made from low elastic modulus materials to improve ball speed, then ball speed is improved, but durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball speedVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The crown is divided into two distinct portions: an outer portion made from a first material and an inner portion made from a second material. This segmentation allows each portion to contribute different properties - the outer portion provides structural strength and durability, while the inner portion provides flexibility and enhances ball speed performance through active recoil channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The crown uses a composite structure combining two different materials with complementary properties. The first material in the outer portion provides high strength and durability, while the second material in the inner portion has properties that enhance flexility and energy transfer. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating both strength and speed-enhancing properties in a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Weight of moving object

If the crown thickness is reduced to decrease weight, then weight is reduced, but structural integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclub weightVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The crown is divided into two distinct portions: an outer portion made from a first material and an inner portion made from a second material. This segmentation allows each portion to contribute different properties - the outer portion provides structural strength and durability, while the inner portion provides flexibility and enhances ball speed performance through active recoil channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The crown uses a composite structure combining two different materials with complementary properties. The first material in the outer portion provides high strength and durability, while the second material in the inner portion has properties that enhance flexility and energy transfer. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating both strength and speed-enhancing properties in a single component.

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

This design enhances ball speed and spin performance while maintaining durability and reducing backspin, allowing for improved carry distance without increasing the club's overall weight or undesirable acoustic responses.

Implementation Method 1

the crown insert is made of a second material, the second material displaying an elastic modulus of about 10 GPa to about 50 GPa

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240416191A1Golf club having a low modulus crown

Publication Date: 2024.12.19 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

According to some examples, a golf club head includes a sole positioned on a bottom side of the golf club head; a striking face positioned toward a front of the golf club head and attached to at least a portion of the sole; a crown positioned on a top side of the golf club head and including: a crown opening; a recessed ledge around the crown opening; and a crown insert engaging the recessed ledge and including at least about 85% of an exterior surface area of the crown, wherein the recessed ledge is made of a first material and the crown insert is made of a second material, the second material displaying an elastic modulus of about 10 GPa to about 50 GPa, and wherein a density of the second material is less than a density of the first material.