Laser-Shocked Golf Club Strikeface for Fine Friction Texture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf club head technologies fail to achieve a fine texture on strikefaces with indentions smaller than 4 mm^2, which are necessary to effectively alter the coefficient of friction and improve launch and spin characteristics, particularly under wet conditions, while also enhancing durability and resistance to fatigue and crack propagation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a laser shock surface patterning (LSSP) process that creates a textured strikeface with indentions of varying sizes and shapes, ranging from 0.01 μm^2 to 250,000 μm^2, using a mask layer to control the size and placement of indentions, thereby increasing the coefficient of friction and improving shot performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional laser shock peening is used to treat the strikeface, then the hardness of the striking face is increased, but the indention size is too large (greater than 4 mm^2) to sufficiently alter the coefficient of friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser treatment process by using a mask layer with multiple apertures to create numerous small indentions (0.01-250,000 μm^2) across the strikeface, rather than treating large areas with single large indentions. This segmentation allows precise control of indention size while maintaining hardness improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mask layer as an intermediary component between the laser beam and the strikeface. This mask layer with controlled apertures enables precise control of laser energy distribution, creating the desired fine indention pattern that conventional direct laser shock peening cannot achieve.
2Ease of manufacture
If the strikeface is treated to create larger indentions, then the laser treatment process is simpler, but the coefficient of friction between the strikeface and golf ball is not sufficiently altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of indention size from millimeter-scale (conventional) to micrometer-scale (0.01-250,000 μm^2) through the use of a mask layer with precisely controlled apertures. This parameter change enables sufficient alteration of the coefficient of friction while maintaining a manageable manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If the strikeface texture is made finer with smaller indentions, then the coefficient of friction is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mask layer serves as an intermediary that transfers the laser energy to the strikeface through precisely controlled apertures. This intermediary component enables the creation of fine indentions (0.01-250,000 μm^2) with controlled precision, as the mask layer's aperture geometry directly determines the indention pattern without requiring direct precision control of the laser beam itself.
4Productivity
If conventional laser shock peening is used, then the treatment area per pulse is large (greater than 4 mm^2), but this fails to create the fine texture needed for improved shot performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser treatment area by using a mask layer with multiple apertures, allowing a single laser pulse to create numerous small indentions simultaneously across the strikeface. This segmentation maintains high productivity by treating large areas per pulse while achieving the fine texture (0.01-250,000 μm^2) required for improved shot performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the treatment process by using a mask layer with a specific aperture pattern that distributes laser energy across multiple locations simultaneously. This dimensional approach allows one laser pulse to create a distributed array of fine indentions, achieving both high productivity and fine surface texture.
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 LSSP process enhances ball spin, maintains ball speed, and improves durability by creating a finer grain structure and compressive residual stress, resulting in better shot accuracy and consistency across dry and wet conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The energy from the laser beam is absorbed by the absorptive layer, causing this layer to quickly turn into plasma
Implementation Method 2
causing this layer to quickly turn into plasma
Implementation Method 3
The quick production of plasma causes a shockwave that deforms the strikeface front surface like a hammer
Implementation Method 4
Laser shock peening (LSP) has been used to introduce residual compressive stress into certain portions of the strikeface, creating a stress gradient between the treated and untreated portions of the strikeface
Implementation Method 5
Laser shock peening (LSP) is a process that creates an array of laser shock impact zones
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a golf club head with a textured strikeface and methods to form said club head through laser shock treatment are generally described herein. The golf club head can comprise a body and a strikeface. The strikeface has a textured front surface, with an array of indentions. Each indention can have a footprint area of between 0.01 μm2 (1×10−8 mm2) to 250,000 μm2 (0.25 mm2). The textured front surface can affect the spin imparted to a golf ball upon impact. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.