Golf Club Head Segmented Sole Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf club heads lack optimal distribution of mass and flexibility, leading to reduced performance in off-center hits and inconsistent ball flight, particularly in iron-type clubs.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a flexible boundary structure, such as channels or slots, in the sole portion of the club head to enhance deflection and improve the coefficient of restitution, allowing for increased perimeter flexibility and better energy transfer upon impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional solid club head designs are used, then structural strength is maintained, but flexibility and energy transfer are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The club head is divided into multiple sections with channels creating distinct regions of different thickness. The face portion, sole portion, and crown portion are segmented by channels that allow independent flexibility characteristics in different zones while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the club head are given different local properties through variable thickness design. The face portion has optimized thickness for flexibility while the crown and sole portions have different thickness characteristics for strength and weight distribution, creating localized quality variations.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform face thickness is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but off-center hit performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The face portion implements variable thickness with different regions having optimized thickness values. The center strike zone has one thickness for maximum energy transfer, while peripheral zones have different thickness for forgiveness, creating local quality variations that improve off-center hit performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The face portion is designed with dynamic flexibility through channels that allow the structure to adapt its rigidity based on impact location. This creates a dynamic response where the club head flexes appropriately for each strike zone, improving consistency across different hit locations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If perimeter weight is increased, then moment of inertia improves, but club head flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Weight is segmented and distributed strategically along the perimeter through channels rather than concentrated mass. This creates multiple weight zones that collectively increase moment of inertia while allowing flexible regions between the weight zones to maintain club head flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The design moves from two-dimensional weight distribution to three-dimensional channel structures that extend through the club head thickness. This adds a vertical dimension to weight distribution, increasing moment of inertia without compromising the flexibility of the face portion.
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 design enhances the club head's ability to absorb and redirect impact energy, resulting in improved forgiveness, distance, and consistency across various striking locations, particularly for iron-type clubs.
Implementation Method 1
The design incorporates a flexible boundary structure, such as channels or slots, in the sole portion of the club head to enhance deflection and improve the coefficient of restitution, allowing for increased perimeter flexibility and better energy transfer upon impact.
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club head includes a club body including a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, and a face portion. In some embodiments, the face portion has an ideal striking location and at least one channel defined in the face. In some embodiments, the golf club head has a striking face and at least one channel defined in the striking face. In some embodiments, the golf club head has an ideal striking location and at least one non-ideal striking location.