Golf Club Shaft Damping Device for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping devices for golf clubs, particularly putters, are ineffective in mitigating unpleasant vibrations caused by off-center strikes, as they fail to adequately address the frequency and amplitude of these vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A damping device comprising an anchor element and a damping element interconnected by a rigid rod, anchored within the golf club shaft, specifically positioned to contact internal surfaces and absorb longitudinal and twisting vibrations, utilizing a resilient material like foam or elastomeric components to optimize damping effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a damping device is fitted to the exterior of the shaft or as a shaft insert, then the device structure is simple, but the damping effectiveness is insufficient to adequately mitigate unpleasant vibrations from off-center strikes
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is divided into distinct functional segments: an anchor element for secure positioning, a rigid rod for force transmission, and a damping element for vibration absorption. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid rod acts as an intermediary component that transmits vibrational forces from the shaft to the damping element. This mediator enables effective force transfer while allowing the damping element to be positioned optimally within the shaft, improving damping effectiveness without complicating the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If the damping element is positioned to contact the shaft interior surface, then vibration damping is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for precise positioning and anchoring mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor element is designed to be inserted and secured in the shaft before the damping element is positioned. This preliminary anchoring action establishes a stable base that simplifies subsequent positioning of the damping element, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring precise placement for optimal vibration damping.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element is designed to automatically contact and engage with the shaft interior surface at the correct position through the force transmission from the rigid rod. This self-positioning mechanism reduces the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while ensuring proper damping element placement for effective vibration reduction.
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 solution effectively reduces vibration amplitude and frequency, enhancing the sweet spot area and maintaining or altering the club's weight distribution, providing improved playing performance by strategically positioning the damping elements within the shaft.
Implementation Method 1
the damping element or frequency filter is in contact with an internal surface of the shaft to dampen vibrations, e.g. longitudinal and/or twisting vibrations, therein or thereof
Implementation Method 2
The damping element or frequency filter is resilient and is configured to resiliently engage an internal surface of the shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
A golf club (2) comprising a shaft (20), a head and a damping device (1, 100). The damping device (1, 100) includes an anchor element (3, 103) and a damping element (4, 104) interconnected by a rigid rod (5, 105). The anchor element (3, 103) is anchored within the lower section of the shaft (20) that has a substantially constant diameter such that the damping element (4, 104) is in contact with an internal surface of the shaft (20) to dampen vibrations therein.