Golf Club Face Damping Structure for Ball Speed Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional golf clubs experience inconsistent ball flight distances due to varying launch velocities across the striking face, especially when struck off-center, and lack a pleasant sound upon impact.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an elastomer element between the striking face and the back portion of the golf club head, which can be adjusted for compression, to control deflection and enhance uniformity of ball speeds and sound production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the striking face is made thin to increase ball speed, then ball speed is improved, but deflection becomes excessive and ball flight consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The striking face is designed with non-uniform thickness, being thinner at the center and thicker at the periphery. This local variation in thickness allows the center to flex more for higher ball speed while the periphery remains stiffer to maintain structural integrity and consistent ball flight across the face.
Solution Approach 2:
The golf club head incorporates an elastomer element positioned behind the striking face to create a composite structure. This elastomer layer acts as a damping material that reduces excessive deflection and vibrations, thereby improving ball flight consistency while allowing the thin striking face to maintain high ball speed.
2Reliability
If the striking face is made thick to reduce deflection, then ball flight consistency is improved, but ball speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The striking face features variable thickness with the center region being thinner than the peripheral regions. This allows the center to deflect more for higher ball speed generation while the thicker periphery provides structural support to maintain overall face stability and consistent ball flight.
Solution Approach 2:
An elastomer element is introduced as an intermediary component positioned between the striking face and the club head body. This elastomer layer serves as a mediator that reduces excessive deflection and dampens vibrations, enabling the thin striking face to achieve both high ball speed and consistent ball flight without requiring the entire face to be thick.
3Strength
If the club head structure is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then structural integrity is improved, but sound quality upon impact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The club head employs a composite construction combining rigid materials (such as titanium or stainless steel) for the main body to ensure structural integrity, with a softer elastomer element positioned behind the striking face. This elastomer layer absorbs excess vibrations and dampens unwanted resonances, producing a more pleasant impact sound while the rigid outer structure maintains overall strength and durability.
4Force
If the elastomer element compression is increased to reduce deflection, then deflection control is improved, but ball speed uniformity across the face deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer element is positioned specifically behind the center region of the striking face rather than uniformly across the entire face. This localized placement allows the center to have enhanced deflection control where it is needed most, while the peripheral regions maintain their natural flexibility to preserve ball speed uniformity across the entire striking surface.
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 elastomer element provides more consistent ball flight distances and improved sound quality by reducing deflection at the center while maintaining uniformity across the striking face.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporation of an elastomer element between the striking face and the back portion of the golf club head, which can be adjusted for compression, to control deflection
Implementation Method 2
the elastomer element provides more consistent ball flight distances and improved sound quality by reducing deflection at the center
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club head including a striking face, a periphery portion surrounding and extending rearwards from the striking face, a support arm spaced from the rear surface of the striking face, the support arm extending from the periphery portion, wherein the support arm is affixed to the periphery portion at two distinct locations, a damping element residing between the support arm and the rear surface of the striking face, wherein the damping element comprises a front surface in contact with the rear surface of the striking face and a rear surface in contact with the support arm, wherein the support arm comprises a cradle abutting the damping element, a first portion extending from the back portion towards the cradle, and a second portion extending from the topline towards the cradle.