Golf Club Shaft Intermediate Rigidity Inflection Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf club shafts fail to achieve both higher ball hits and reduced spin for longer distances due to insufficient rigidity improvement at the intermediate part, leading to inadequate air resistance reduction.
Innovation Solution
The golf club shaft incorporates a thickened intermediate part with a reinforcing element, creating an inflection point in rigidity between the distal and proximal parts, enhancing durability and reducing spin by smoothing the sectional shape and distributing stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the shaft has uniform wall thickness throughout, then the manufacturing is simple, but the rigidity at the intermediate part is insufficient leading to inadequate spin reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the wall thickness of the shaft at specific locations rather than maintaining uniform thickness. A thick part is formed at the intermediate part with a thickness greater than the distal part, creating localized reinforcement where rigidity is needed to reduce ball spin while maintaining simpler manufacturing elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft is segmented into distinct regions with different wall thickness characteristics: a distal part with thinner wall, an intermediate part with thickened wall (thick part), and potentially other sections. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized properties for its specific functional requirements.
2Strength
If the kickpoint is adjusted alone, then the ball launch height is improved, but the spin on the ball is not reduced sufficient for longer distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the shaft structure: it combines the kickpoint adjustment function (achieved through the non-circular section) with the rigidity enhancement function (achieved through the thick part with greater wall thickness). This combination ensures both higher ball launch and sufficient spin reduction for longer distance.
3Strength
If the wall thickness is increased at the intermediate part, then the rigidity and durability are improved, but the weight of the shaft increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the wall thickness uniformly throughout the shaft, the patent applies local quality by concentrating the thick part specifically at the intermediate part where rigidity is most needed for spin reduction. The distal part maintains a thinner wall thickness, minimizing unnecessary weight addition while achieving the required performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A shaft for a golf club is capable of hitting a higher ball and reducing a spin on the ball. The shaft has a distal part that is provided with a clubhead, a proximal part that is provided with a grip, an intermediate part arranged between the distal and proximal parts, and a thick part set to thicken a wall thickness of the intermediate part relative to the distal part, a reinforcing part set at the intermediate part, or a combination of the thick part and the reinforcing part. With this, the shaft improves a rigidity at the intermediate part so that a change in rigidity between the distal part and the intermediate part has an inflection point.