Golf Club Face Plate Thickness Adjustment for Characteristic Time Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf club heads exhibit variability in performance characteristics such as characteristic time, leading to inconsistent ball speed and distance, due to manufacturing method variations despite similar designs and materials.
Innovation Solution
Optimizing face plate thickness based on the elastic modulus of the material used, with a method that adjusts thickness profiles to minimize variability in characteristic time across a system of golf club heads, ensuring consistency and predictability in performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional manufacturing methods are used to produce golf club heads with similar designs and materials, then production efficiency is maintained, but variability in performance characteristics such as characteristic time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the face plate thickness based on the elastic modulus of the material. Specifically, when the elastic modulus is higher than average, the face plate thickness is reduced, and when the elastic modulus is lower than average, the face plate thickness is increased. This dynamic parameter adjustment compensates for material variability and reduces characteristic time variability across different club heads.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process incorporates feedback by measuring the elastic modulus of each face plate material batch and using this information to adjust the face plate thickness accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures that variations in material properties are compensated for through corresponding adjustments in geometric parameters, thereby maintaining consistent performance characteristics.
2Reliability
If face plate thickness is standardized across all golf club heads, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but performance consistency varies due to material elastic modulus variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the face plate thickness parameter based on the elastic modulus of the material used. By establishing a relationship between elastic modulus and optimal thickness, the patent enables customized thickness values for different material batches, thereby compensating for material variability and improving performance predictability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Speed
If the average characteristic time is increased to improve ball speed and distance, then performance is enhanced, but variability in characteristic time also increases leading to inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by dynamically adjusting the face plate thickness parameter based on material elastic modulus. This allows the system to maintain a higher average characteristic time for improved ball speed while simultaneously reducing variability through compensatory thickness adjustments, thereby achieving both performance enhancement and consistency.
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 approach results in increased consistency in ball speed and distance across golf clubs, allowing for higher average characteristic time within USGA conformance limits, enhancing predictability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
Characteristic time is a measure of face plate elasticity which effects golf ball speed and distance upon impact with a club head
Data Source
AI summary
A system of golf club heads having reduced variability in characteristic time is disclosed herein. Further, a method of manufacturing a system of golf club heads having reduced variability in characteristic time is disclosed herein.