Golf Club Head Impact Response Modulator for Durable Face Flexure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional golf club heads struggle to increase strike face deflection without compromising club head durability, as features that enhance deflection often lead to increased stress and reduced durability.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an Impact Response Modulator (IRM) in the sole of the club head, featuring a casing with high-strength materials and stress-reducing geometries, which increases strike face deflection while maintaining durability by redirecting stress away from the strike face.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If features such as slits, slots, openings, channels, or flexures are introduced to increase strike face deflection, then ball speed and energy transfer are improved, but stresses increase and club head durability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy transferVSAvoidclub head durability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing a sole opening specifically in the sole region rather than uniformly throughout the club head. This localized modification increases strike face deflection and energy transfer while concentrating the structural weakness in a non-critical area, thereby maintaining overall club head durability. The sole opening is positioned to flex during impact without creating stress concentrations that would compromise the integrity of the club head body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If strike face deflection is increased to improve ball flight characteristics, then ball speed and launch angle are enhanced, but the club head becomes more prone to failure under stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball speedVSAvoidclub head strength

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the club head structure by introducing a discrete sole opening that creates a flexible region independent from the main club head body. This segmentation allows the sole to deflect and absorb impact energy while the remaining club head structure maintains its structural integrity and strength. The opening acts as a dedicated energy absorption zone that does not compromise the overall strength of the club head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If geometric discontinuities are created to enhance strike face flexure, then ball flight performance is improved, but stress concentrations increase and durability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrike face flexureVSAvoidstress concentrations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of stress concentrations into a beneficial outcome by strategically positioning the sole opening to create controlled flexibility. The opening allows stress to be distributed through a predetermined path during impact, converting what would normally be a weakness into a designed feature that enhances ball flight performance while maintaining durability through proper stress management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 IRM effectively enhances ball flight performance by increasing strike face deflection without compromising the club head's durability, achieving improved energy transfer and ball flight characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

The strike face of a golf club head deflects upon impact with a golf ball to impart ball flight characteristics

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

increasing strike face deflection while maintaining durability by redirecting stress away from the strike face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStress redistribution:

Data Source

PatentUS20250295962A1Golf club head with impact response modulator

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 KARSTEN MFG CORP

AI summary

Embodiments of a golf club head comprising an Impact Response Modulator disposed in the sole. The Impact Response Modulator comprises a casing with a plurality of casing walls that form an aperture therebetween. The casing walls comprises specific geometries and dimensions that improve the performance and durability of the Impact Response Modulator when implemented into a fairway wood type club head.