Textured Golf Club Faceplate for Spin and Wet-Grip Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf club head technologies fail to achieve a fine texture on the strikeface with indentions smaller than 4 mm^2, which is necessary to effectively alter the coefficient of friction and improve launch and spin characteristics, durability, and resistance to fatigue and crack propagation.
Innovation Solution
The golf club head employs a laser shock surface patterning process that creates a textured surface with indentions of 0.01 μm^2 to 250,000 μm^2, using a mask layer to control the size and shape of the indentions, thereby increasing the coefficient of friction and improving shot performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If laser shock peening is used to treat the strikeface, then the hardness of the striking face is increased, but the indention size is too large (greater than 4 mm^2) to sufficiently alter the coefficient of friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser treatment process by using a mask layer with multiple apertures to create numerous small indentions (0.01-250,000 μm^2) instead of large indentions. This segmentation allows the strikeface to have both increased hardness from laser treatment and sufficient surface area modification for friction control through the high density of small indentions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using a mask layer that selectively treats specific regions of the strikeface. The mask layer with controlled aperture patterns enables localized creation of fine indentions in specific zones, allowing different regions to have optimized properties for spin control, durability, or friction modification
2Manufacturing precision
If the indention size is reduced to below 4 mm^2, then the coefficient of friction is sufficiently altered for improved launch and spin characteristics, but the durability and resistance to fatigue and crack propagation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate functions into a single laser shock peening process with mask layer: (1) creating fine surface indentions for friction control and spin optimization, and (2) introducing compressive residual stress for durability enhancement. The simultaneous application of laser energy achieves both surface texturing and subsurface stress modification, ensuring improved launch characteristics and enhanced crack resistance work together
3Strength
If the strikeface is treated to increase hardness, then the durability is improved, but the coefficient of friction is not sufficiently altered to improve spin rate characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the mask layer to predefine the exact pattern, size, and distribution of indentions before laser treatment. The mask layer with carefully designed aperture patterns ensures that when laser shock peening occurs, the resulting fine indentions (0.01-250,000 μm^2) are precisely positioned and sized to optimize coefficient of friction for desired spin rates, while the laser process simultaneously hardens the 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 process enhances ball spin, maintains ball speed, and increases durability by creating a finer grain structure and compressive residual stress, particularly under wet conditions, while maintaining consistent performance across dry and wet conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Laser shock peening (LSP) is a process that creates an array of laser shock impact zones. During the laser shock treatment, a laser is shown through a confinement layer and into an absorptive layer, which lies on top of the strikeface that is being treated. The energy from the laser beam is absorbed by the absorptive layer, causing this layer to quickly turn into plasma. The quick production of plasma causes a shockwave that deforms the strikeface front surface like a hammer, creating indentions in the surface.
Implementation Method 2
The quick production of plasma causes a shockwave that deforms the strikeface front surface like a hammer, creating indentions in the surface. LSP has been used to introduce residual compressive stress into certain portions of the strikeface, creating a stress gradient between the treated and untreated portions of the strikeface.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a golf club head with a textured strikeface and methods to form said club head through laser shock treatment are generally described herein. The golf club head can comprise a body and a strikeface. The strikeface has a textured front surface, with an array of indentions. Each indention can have a footprint area of between 0.01 μm2 (1×10−8 mm2) to 250,000 μm2 (0.25 mm2). The textured front surface can affect the spin imparted to a golf ball upon impact. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.