Golf Club Deflection Junctions for Launch Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf club designs fail to consistently impart better flight characteristics, such as increased launch angle and decreased ball spin, due to inconsistency in hitting the ball squarely, particularly when hitting 'down' on the ball.
Innovation Solution
The golf club head features a deflection junction with a pivot bend and compressible material, allowing the strikeplate to deflect upon impact, influencing ball launch characteristics by permitting relative movement between the strikeplate and junction structure, which are non-welded and separated by a junction slot, enabling deflection and absorption of impact stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a fixed rigid connection is used between the strikeplate and club head body, then structural strength is improved, but ball launch characteristics cannot be optimized due to inability to control deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the strikeplate and club head body is divided into two distinct types: a fixed rigid connection at the heel end providing structural strength, and a deflection junction at the toe end allowing controlled movement for ball launch optimization. This segmentation enables each portion to fulfill its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different connection characteristics are applied at different locations of the strikeplate. The heel end features a fixed rigid connection for strength and stability, while the toe end features a deflection junction with pivot bend and compressible material for controlled deflection and ball launch optimization. Each location has customized properties suited to its functional requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fully flexible connection is used between the strikeplate and club head body, then ball launch characteristics can be optimized, but structural strength and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible connection is segmented and localized only at the toe end of the strikeplate through the deflection junction, while the heel end maintains a fixed rigid connection. This ensures structural strength is preserved in the critical support area while flexibility is provided only where needed for ball launch optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexibility and deflection capability are applied locally at the toe end of the strikeplate where they are most beneficial for ball launch characteristics, while the heel end maintains rigidity for structural support. The compressible material and pivot bend are positioned specifically to provide localized flexibility without compromising overall structural integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the strikeplate is rigidly connected to the club head, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but impact stress absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A compressible material is introduced as an intermediary element within the deflection junction between the strikeplate and club head body. This compressible material acts as a mediator that absorbs impact stresses through compression and deformation, protecting the rigid club head structure from excessive stress while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If non-welded separation with junction slot is used between strikeplate and junction structure, then deflection capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection junction incorporates a pivot bend that creates a flexible hinge-like connection between the strikeplate and junction structure. This pivot bend acts as a flexible element that allows controlled rotation and deflection while maintaining structural integrity. The non-welded separation with junction slot provides a gap that accommodates the compressible material and enables the pivot bend to function effectively.
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 launch characteristics by allowing controlled deflection of the strikeplate, resulting in improved launch angle and reduced spin, addressing the inconsistency in ball impact and flight optimization.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible material located at the junction slot... configured to permit deflection of the strikeplate upon impact between the strikeface and a golf ball
Implementation Method 2
compressible material located at the junction slot... enabling deflection and absorption of impact stresses
Implementation Method 3
The deflection junction also comprises a pivot bend between the junction segment and the junction structure and is configured to permit pivoting of the junction structure relative to the junction segment upon impact between the strikeface and a golf ball
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of golf club heads with deflection junctions are described herein. For example, a golf club head comprising: a crown, a sole, a toe skirt, a heel skirt; and a front end. The front end comprises a strikeplate having a strikeface, a backface, and a strikeplate perimeter, wherein the strikeplate and a joint segment are connected by a fixed joint. A deflection junction of the golf club head comprises a junction structure extending from the junction segment; a junction slot defined between the strikeplate perimeter and the junction structure; and a pivot bend between the junction segment and the junction structure and configured to pivot the junction structure relative to the junction segment upon impact between the strikeface and a golf ball. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.