Hollow Iron Club Head Insert for Vibration Damping and Mass Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing iron-type golf club heads struggle to balance performance and vibrational response, with blade-style irons prioritizing vibrational response at the cost of forgiveness and hollow-body/cavity-back irons prioritizing performance at the cost of vibrational response.
Innovation Solution
A hollow-body iron-type golf club head with rear openings and an insert, where the insert is made of a lightweight material to dampen vibrations and create discretionary mass, while maintaining performance characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hollow-body or cavity-back iron construction is used, then performance and discretionary mass are improved, but vibrational response deteriorates due to thin walls experiencing substantial vibration at impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a hollow-body iron construction with a vibration-damping insert made of different material properties. The insert (solid or foam material) is placed inside the hollow cavity to dampen vibrations while the hollow exterior maintains performance optimization through discretionary mass distribution.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If blade-style or muscle-back iron construction is used, then vibrational response is improved through solid-body construction, but performance and forgiveness deteriorate due to lack of discretionary mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the club head into two functional parts: a hollow-body exterior structure optimized for performance and discretionary mass distribution, and an interior vibration-damping insert that provides solid-construction-like vibrational characteristics. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromise.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration-damping insert is added to hollow-body iron, then vibrational response is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing the vibration-damping insert inside the hollow cavity of the iron construction. The insert is nested within the existing hollow structure, allowing the addition of vibration-damping functionality without significantly increasing external complexity or altering the overall club head geometry.
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 provides improved vibrational damping and sound feedback while retaining or enhancing performance by utilizing a lightweight insert to replace high-density body material, creating a balanced club head with increased discretionary mass.
Implementation Method 1
the insert provides a club head that improves the balance between performance and vibration damping
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are embodiments of an iron-type golf club head comprising a rear opening and an insert. The insert either partially or fully occupies the club head interior cavity. The insert damps vibrations occurring within the club head at impact to provide a desirable sound and feel. The insert is formed of a low-density material, thereby providing a significant damping effect while also creating discretionary mass.