Metal Injection Molded Sole Golf Club Head Weighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf club technologies fail to effectively utilize metal injection molded parts for performance weighting, which is crucial for optimizing the center of gravity and moment of inertia for improved ball striking.
Innovation Solution
A golf club head design featuring a main body made of stainless steel with a metal injection molded sole portion composed of stainless steel and tungsten alloy, providing a customizable weight distribution that adjusts the center of gravity and moment of inertia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional weighting methods (tungsten screws, bismuth material, polymer bodies) are used in golf club heads, then weight distribution can be adjusted, but manufacturing precision and integration with the club head structure are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the weighting function with the sole structure by integrating the metal injection molded sole directly into the club head assembly. The sole is not a separate removable component but is permanently integrated through brazing or mechanical attachment, eliminating the need for separate weighting mechanisms while achieving precise weight distribution through the molded sole's geometry and material composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials in the metal injection molded sole, combining metals (such as stainless steel, nickel, copper, or cobalt) with organic binders (wax, resin, or polymer). This composite approach enables precise control over the sole's weight and density while maintaining structural integrity, allowing for optimized weight distribution without requiring additional separate weighting components.
2Manufacturing precision
If metal injection molded material is used for the sole portion, then manufacturing precision and weight distribution control improve, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal injection molding process allows for preliminary formation of the sole with precise weight and geometry built-in during manufacturing. The green body is molded with the exact final shape and weight distribution required, eliminating the need for subsequent machining or adjustment operations. This preliminary action embeds the precision requirements into the manufacturing process itself rather than requiring post-processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the metal injection molding process, specifically controlling the composition ratio of metal powder to organic binder, the density of the metal powder (ranging from 7.9 g/cc to 12.5 g/cc), and the sintering conditions. By adjusting these parameters, the manufacturer can precisely control the final sole's weight, density, and mechanical properties, achieving high manufacturing precision through process parameter optimization.
3Reliability
If the center of gravity is optimized through precise weighting, then ball striking performance improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the weight optimization function specifically in the sole portion of the club head rather than distributing complexity throughout the entire club head structure. The metal injection molded sole is designed with specific geometric features and material properties localized to the sole area, allowing for precise center of gravity control without complicating other parts of the club head. The sole acts as a dedicated weighting component with optimized local properties.
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 enhances the golf club's performance by allowing for precise weighting, improving ball striking capabilities through adjustable weight distribution and optimized mass placement.
Implementation Method 1
a sole portion made from a metal injection molded material comprising stainless steel and tungsten
Data Source
AI summary
A wood-type golf club head (20) with a main body (22) and a metal injection molded sole portion (26) is disclosed herein. The main body (26) has a face portion (30), a crown portion (24) a ribbon portion (28) and a bottom opening (31). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably brazed to the main body (22). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) preferably has a mass ranging from 45 grams to 110 grams. The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably from 50 weight percent to 35 weight percent of the total mass of the wood-type golf club head (20).