Iron Club Head Flex Structure for Face Bending Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf club heads face challenges in increasing face bending while maintaining or improving the durability of the face, as thinning the face can lead to increased bending and potential buckling.
Innovation Solution
A golf club head design incorporating a flex structure with a curved profile, a face reinforcing structure, and variable face element thickness, featuring a closed looped rib and strategically placed thickened and thinned regions, allowing for increased bending and stress distribution away from the face element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the face of the club head is thinned to increase flexibility and coefficient of restitution, then ball speed and distance are improved, but the face becomes prone to buckling and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin face structure with controlled thickness to achieve flexibility and increased coefficient of restitution. The face is designed as a thin film element that can bend and deform elastically during ball impact, maximizing energy transfer while maintaining structural integrity through careful thickness control and geometric design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a curved or concave back surface of the face element to distribute stress during impact. The curvature helps prevent buckling by creating a more stable geometric structure that can withstand compressive loads, allowing the face to be thinner without sacrificing durability.
2Speed
If mass is redistributed closer to the sole and farther from the face to increase flight angle, then distance is improved, but the coefficient of restitution may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating mass in specific regions (such as the sole and heel/toe areas) while keeping the face area lightweight. This localized mass distribution allows the face to remain thin and flexible for high coefficient of restitution, while the redistributed mass in other areas optimizes flight angle and distance without compromising face performance.
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 design enhances face element bending, increases ball speed, and improves club head durability by distributing large stresses into the reinforcing structure, resulting in a 0.5 mph increase in ball speed and a 4 to 7 yard increase in distance.
Implementation Method 1
The flex structure comprises a curved profile (e.g. S-shape or sinusoidal) that bends or flexes like a spring to support the face element
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of an iron type golf club head with a flex structure, a face reinforcing structure, and a variable face thickness to increase face element bending while improving club head durability are described herein. The club head comprises a face element for striking a golf ball. The face element is formed integrally with the flex structure. The flex structure comprises a curved profile (e.g. S-shape or sinusoidal) that functions like a spring to support the face element during golf ball impacts. The face reinforcing structure comprises a looped rib that provides support around a center of the face element. The variable face thickness includes thickened and thinned regions to provide further face element bending or support. The combination of the flex structure, the face reinforcing structure, and the variable face thickness provides increased face element bending while improving club head durability.