Multi-Material Golf Club Head with Polymer Cavity Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf club head designs face challenges in optimizing the center of gravity (CG) and moment of inertia (MOI) to achieve desired trajectory and spin rates, as they often rely on single material compositions that limit customization and performance.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a golf club head with a body portion made from one material and mass portions made from different materials, such as tungsten-based or steel-based materials, strategically positioned to optimize CG and MOI through various manufacturing methods like welding, brazing, or mechanical locking, and filled with a polymer material to enhance structural support and vibration damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If single material composition is used for golf club head, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but customization capability and performance optimization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The golf club head is divided into multiple material zones with different compositions. The face portion uses a first material (e.g., titanium alloy) while the back portion uses a second material (e.g., steel or tungsten), allowing independent optimization of each zone's properties for specific performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the golf club head are assigned different material properties tailored to their functional requirements. The face area requires high elasticity and low density for ball impact, while the back area requires high density for weight distribution and CG control.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple materials are used to optimize CG and MOI, then performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mold cavity is pre-configured with different material zones during the injection molding process. By designing the mold to deliver different materials to specific locations before final assembly, the complex multi-material structure is achieved in a single manufacturing step rather than requiring post-manufacturing assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The golf club head employs composite material construction combining metal alloys (titanium, steel, tungsten) with polymer materials. This composite approach enables precise control of CG and MOI while utilizing the complementary properties of different materials to achieve both performance optimization and manufacturing efficiency.
3Strength
If face portion thickness is reduced to increase elasticity, then ball launch performance is improved, but structural strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The face portion utilizes a composite structure combining a thin metal layer (0.5-2.0mm thickness) with polymer material. This composite construction maintains the thin profile needed for elasticity while the polymer provides structural reinforcement to prevent failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness of the face portion is precisely controlled within a specific range (0.5-2.0mm) to optimize the balance between elasticity and strength. This parameter optimization, combined with material selection, achieves the desired launch performance while maintaining structural integrity.
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
This configuration allows for a higher launch angle and lower spin rate, resulting in a golf ball traveling farther with consistent feel and sound, while the polymer filling absorbs shock and isolates vibration, improving overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
the polymer filling absorbs shock and isolates vibration
Implementation Method 2
the polymer filling absorbs shock and isolates vibration
Implementation Method 3
optimize the center of gravity (CG) and moment of inertia (MOI)
Implementation Method 4
strategically positioned to optimize CG and MOI through various manufacturing methods like welding, brazing, or mechanical locking
Implementation Method 5
strategically positioned to optimize CG and MOI through various manufacturing methods like welding, brazing, or mechanical locking
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion having a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a front portion, a back portion, a hosel portion, a first interior cavity, and a hosel transition portion between the first interior cavity and the hosel portion. The golf club head may include a second interior cavity extending into the hosel transition portion and connected to the first interior cavity. The body portion may include a port connected to the first interior cavity. The first interior cavity may be filled with a polymer material from the port. The golf club head may include a mass portion located at or below a horizontal midplane of the body portion. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.