Golf Club Head Tiered Radius Structure for Impact Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf club head designs do not allow for sufficient flexing in the crown to sole direction, fail to change peak bending locations, and lack the ability to store additional spring energy upon impact with the golf ball, limiting ball speed and energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a tiered internal radius transition within the golf club head, featuring multiple tiers of varying thicknesses, which allows for controlled flexing and stress distribution, creating a 'plastic hinge' at the peak bending point to store and release more energy upon impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional golf club head designs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the club head cannot flex sufficiently in the crown to sole direction and cannot store additional spring energy
Solution Approach 1:
The internal radius transition region is divided into multiple tiers (first tier, second tier, third tier) with different thicknesses, creating a segmented structure that allows controlled flexing at each level while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables the club head to store more spring energy through progressive deformation of each tier during impact.
Solution Approach 2:
Different tiers within the internal radius transition region have different thicknesses (first tier thickness > second tier thickness > third tier thickness), creating local variations in structural properties. This local quality differentiation allows specific regions to flex more readily while maintaining strength where needed, optimizing energy storage without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the club head is designed to flex more in the crown to sole direction, then additional spring energy can be stored, but the structural integrity and stress distribution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-tiered structure segments the internal radius transition region into discrete levels of thickness, allowing controlled flexing at each tier while maintaining structural integrity through the hierarchical arrangement. Each tier acts as a structural element that contributes to both flexibility and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal radius transition region utilizes curved, rounded transitions between tiers rather than sharp angles, distributing stress more evenly throughout the structure. This curvature prevents stress concentration points while maintaining the flexing capability needed for energy storage.
3Speed
If the peak bending location is changed to optimize energy storage, then ball speed can be increased, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented tiered structure naturally creates progressive bending zones at each tier interface, allowing the peak bending location to be optimized without requiring complex external mechanisms. The segmentation provides built-in flexibility zones that guide the bending behavior during impact.
Solution Approach 2:
By varying the thickness parameters of each tier (first tier thickness, second tier thickness, third tier thickness), the design optimizes the bending characteristics and peak bending location. These parameter adjustments control where and how the club head flexes during impact, maximizing energy storage and ball speed.
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 tiered internal radius transition enhances ball speed by storing approximately 4% to 6% more energy, resulting in improved distance control and increased ball speed, with improvements ranging from 0.5-1.5 mph (0.8-2.4 kph) compared to standard designs.
Implementation Method 1
Additional spring energy can increase ball speed across the strikeface. The tiered internal radius transition enhances ball speed by storing approximately 4% to 6% more energy
Implementation Method 2
creating a 'plastic hinge' at the peak bending point to store and release more energy upon impact
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of golf club heads with energy storage characteristics are presented herein. In some embodiments, a golf club head comprises a hollow body comprising a strikeface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a crown, and a cavity positioned behind the strikeface on at least one of the sole and the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity comprises a front surface, and a rear surface, wherein at least a portion of the front surface extends toward the strikeface of the club head.