Golf Club Head Lattice Structure for CG and MOI Tuning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf club head manufacturing processes are limited in customizability and geometric complexity, restricting the ability to leverage performance advantages from various club head types in a single club head, as they are constrained by mold designs and cannot easily produce complex geometries or adjust the center of gravity (CG) location.
Innovation Solution
The use of additive manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing, to create golf club heads with integrated lattice structures that allow for customizable CG locations and complex geometries, enabling the combination of performance benefits from different club head types into a single design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional manufacturing processes (forging, casting, machining) are used to manufacture golf club heads, then the manufacturing process is well-established and reliable, but the ability to customize CG location and create complex geometries is significantly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing additive manufacturing technology to fundamentally alter the manufacturing approach from conventional subtractive or mold-based processes. This enables continuous adjustment of CG location and geometric parameters without being constrained by mold designs, directly resolving the contradiction between customizability and process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical manufacturing processes (forging, casting, machining) with additive manufacturing technology. This substitution eliminates the need for physical molds and enables direct digital fabrication of complex geometries and customizable CG locations, resolving the limitation of adaptability while managing process complexity through digital control
2Productivity
If mold-based forging or casting processes are used, then the manufacturing process is straightforward and efficient, but the flexibility to alter CG location and create complex internal geometries is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental manufacturing parameter from mold-based formation to layer-by-layer additive construction. This enables simultaneous achievement of manufacturing efficiency and design flexibility, as the additive process can be optimized for productivity while inherently supporting complex geometries and customizable CG locations without mold constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by constructing the club head in layers through additive manufacturing. This layer-by-layer approach enables precise control over material distribution and density, allowing customization of CG location and creation of complex internal geometries while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through automated layer deposition
3Strength
If large-volume hollow construction club heads are manufactured, then the moment of inertia (MOI) is increased, but the ability to achieve consistent launch conditions and control distance variability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the density and material distribution at different locations within the club head body. Through additive manufacturing, specific regions can be optimized with different material densities to simultaneously achieve desired MOI characteristics and precise CG location control, enabling both high MOI and consistent launch conditions through localized property optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite materials by combining different materials or material densities within the same club head structure. This enables creation of regions with high density for MOI enhancement while maintaining precise control over CG location and mass distribution, achieving both high strength characteristics and manufacturing precision for consistent performance
4Manufacturing precision
If low-volume forged club heads are manufactured, then consistent launch conditions and distance variability are improved, but the moment of inertia (MOI) is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically distributing material density within the low-volume club head structure. Through additive manufacturing, precise local optimization of mass distribution enables maintenance of consistent launch conditions while enhancing MOI through targeted density variations in specific regions, resolving the contradiction between precision and strength
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 allows for the creation of golf club heads with adjustable CG locations and increased moment of inertia (MOI), providing improved launch conditions, distance variability, and customizable performance characteristics not achievable with traditional manufacturing methods.
Implementation Method 1
The lattice structure is arranged within the internal cavity and is formed layer by layer via an additive manufacturing process
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club head component includes a body defining an internal cavity, a plurality of apertures formed in the body, a lattice structure disposed within the internal cavity of the body, and a flow path that extends through the lattice structure and the plurality of apertures. the lattice structure includes a plurality of segments and a plurality of unit cells. The lattice structure varies in a thickness, a size, or a shape of the plurality of segments, a unit cell density, or a unit cell shape at various locations.