Golf Club Head Faceplate Detached by Top Rail Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf club faceplates experience limited and non-uniform deflection during ball impact, restricting kinetic energy transfer and launch angle, while also imparting excessive spin.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating slots through the top rail of the golf club head, specifically at the toe and heel ends, to detach the faceplate from the back end, allowing for increased and uniform deflection, known as cantilevered bending, which enhances launch angle and reduces spin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the faceplate is attached to the back end of the club head, then structural strength is improved, but faceplate deflection is limited and non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The faceplate is segmented from the back end of the club head by introducing slots that extend through the top rail. This segmentation allows the faceplate to deflect independently in a cantilevered manner while maintaining structural integrity through the slot configuration. The slots are positioned to allow uniform deflection across the faceplate surface during ball impact.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the faceplate deflection is increased to enhance spring-effect, then kinetic energy transfer is improved, but spin imparted on the ball increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slots are strategically positioned at specific locations on the club head (toe end, heel end, or both) to create localized deflection characteristics. This local quality modification allows the faceplate to deflect uniformly across its surface, optimizing spring-effect for energy transfer while controlling the deflection pattern to minimize spin generation.
3Speed
If the faceplate thickness is reduced to increase deflection, then launch angle is improved, but structural strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the faceplate from the back end through slots, the design enables a thinner faceplate to achieve sufficient structural strength. The slot configuration creates a cantilevered structure that maintains strength while allowing increased deflection for higher launch angles. The slots are positioned to optimize the strength-deflection balance.
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 solution results in a longer golf ball travel distance with reduced spin, achieved through increased faceplate deflection and stress distribution, enabling a thinner faceplate design and improved club head performance.
Implementation Method 1
the faceplate deflects and then rebounds in a spring-like manner. This resulting 'spring-effect' between the faceplate and the golf ball can be quantified by a Coefficient of Restitution (COR)
Implementation Method 2
during impact with a golf ball, a golf club faceplate undergoes a certain amount of deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club head includes a body having a faceplate with a strike surface, a toe end opposite a heel end, a back end opposite the faceplate, and a sole opposite a top rail, the faceplate is connected to the sole and configured to pivot about the sole.