Golf Club Head Alignment via Self-Service Geometric References
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf club manufacturing methods lead to variability in alignment features due to imprecise affixing of masking stickers, resulting in inconsistent performance across golf club heads.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a primary alignment feature with contrasting shades or colors on the crown and face of the golf club head, along with a secondary alignment feature, to provide a clear and adjustable perceived face angle, utilizing paint or masking lines and potentially electronic displays for improved alignment accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If masking stickers are used to guide painting of alignment features, then the alignment feature can be applied to the golf club head, but the affixing of masking stickers is not easily aligned consistently, leading to variability in alignment feature location and angle
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is designed to be self-aligning through the use of pre-defined reference features on the club head (such as the face center, crown-toe diagonal, and hosel position) that automatically guide the placement of alignment features without requiring external masking stickers. This self-service approach eliminates the variability introduced by manual sticker affixing while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Reference features and geometric constraints are pre-established during club head manufacturing before the alignment features are applied. These pre-defined reference points (face center, crown-toe diagonal intersection, hosel position) serve as permanent guides that ensure consistent alignment feature placement across all clubs, eliminating the need for temporary masking stickers.
2Manufacturing precision
If masking stickers are used to define alignment features, then the alignment feature shape and angle can be controlled, but the location of masking stickers determines the alignment feature, leading to variability between golf club heads
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-contained reference features inherent to the club head geometry (face center, crown-toe diagonal, hosel position) that automatically define alignment feature placement. This self-service mechanism ensures that every club head uses its own unique geometric references, guaranteeing consistent alignment across all manufactured clubs without relying on external masking materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference feature system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it defines the alignment feature location, establishes the alignment angle, and provides a consistent reference frame across all club heads. This universal reference system replaces the need for club-specific masking stickers, ensuring reliability and consistency across the entire product line.
3Ease of manufacture
If alignment features are painted using current methods, then the alignment feature can be applied to the club head, but the imprecise affixing of masking stickers results in variability in the alignment feature
Solution Approach 1:
The painting process uses pre-defined geometric references on the club head (face center, crown-toe diagonal, hosel position) that automatically determine the exact location and angle of alignment features. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external masking stickers and their associated alignment variability, while maintaining ease of manufacture through a systematic reference-based process.
Solution Approach 2:
All reference features and geometric constraints are pre-established during club head manufacturing before the painting process begins. These pre-defined references (face center coordinates, crown-toe diagonal intersection, hosel position) serve as permanent guides that ensure precise alignment feature placement without requiring temporary masking materials during the painting operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club head having discreet regions of specific mass relationships, including a lightweight forward portion, to achieve specific mass properties and performance.