Golf Club Face Insert Hinge Features for Ball Speed Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf club face inserts do not adequately optimize performance and consistency of ball speed across the face, particularly in putters.
Innovation Solution
A golf club face insert featuring a striking plate with hinge features comprising a stem portion and a tab portion, where the stem extends at an angle of 45-90 degrees, and a backing portion with parallel grooves, enhancing elasticity and spin by compressing the tab portions inward and improving bending properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solid geometric protrusions or pillar-shaped bodies are used on the club face, then face rigidity and structural strength are improved, but ball speed consistency and elasticity across the face deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The club face is segmented into multiple independent hinge features (protrusions) that can flex individually. Each hinge feature consists of a base portion, stem portion, and tab portion that can bend independently upon ball impact, allowing localized deformation while maintaining overall face integrity. This segmentation enables each element to contribute to ball speed consistency through independent elastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge features are designed with dynamic flexibility through the angled stem portion (45-90 degrees) and tab portion configuration. The stem portion allows the tab portion to flex and rebound dynamically during ball impact, creating a spring-like effect that enhances ball speed consistency. The dynamic structure enables the face to adapt to varying impact locations while maintaining reliable performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the stem portion extends at a shallow angle from the base, then ease of manufacture is improved, but elasticity and spin performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The stem portion angle is optimized within a specific range (45-90 degrees) to balance manufacturing ease with performance. This parameter optimization ensures that the hinge features provide sufficient elasticity and spin performance while remaining manufacturable using standard processes. The angle range allows for practical fabrication while achieving the desired mechanical properties.
3Reliability
If the tab portion is long and extends far from the base, then elasticity and ball speed are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tab portion dimensions are carefully controlled within specific ranges (length: 0.020-0.075 inch, width: at least 1.5 times length, spacing: 0.030-0.060 inch from base). These parameter specifications balance the need for sufficient elasticity with the practical constraints of manufacturing precision. The defined ranges ensure consistent performance while accommodating standard manufacturing tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
A resilient face insert for a golf club head, preferably a putter head, is disclosed herein. In particular, the face insert comprises a plurality of hinge features spaced from a striking surface to ensure consistent ball speed across the striking surface. At least a portion of each hinge feature extends parallel to the striking surface without making contact with the striking surface. In the preferred embodiment, each hinge feature comprises a tab portion that is spaced from the striking surface by a stem portion and that extends parallel to the striking surface. The hinge features may be co-molded with a polymeric backing material having a plurality of parallel grooves in order to further improve performance of the face insert.