Multi-Material Putter Face for Consistent Ball Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golfers struggle to consistently impact a golf ball at the same location with a putter, leading to variations in energy transfer, impact feel, and travel direction due to differing impact locations on the club head, with existing designs prioritizing personal preference over performance.
Innovation Solution
A putter-type golf club head featuring a dual-material striking surface with varying material concentrations away from the geometric center to achieve consistent ball speeds across the striking surface, utilizing materials with differing properties such as tensile strength and flexural modulus to control impact efficiency and feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single-material striking surface is used, then the club head structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but ball speed consistency varies across different impact locations
Solution Approach 1:
The striking surface is divided into multiple regions with different material properties. The center region uses a first material with specific hardness and elastic modulus, while the heel and toe regions use a second material with different properties. This local differentiation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, achieving consistent ball speeds across all impact locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite striking surface structure where two different materials are combined in a multi-layer configuration. The first material layer and second material layer are bonded together to form an integrated striking surface that leverages the complementary properties of both materials to achieve superior performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If material concentration varies away from the geometric center, then ball speed consistency is improved across the striking surface, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The striking surface is segmented into distinct material zones with clear boundaries. The first material is concentrated in the center region while the second material is positioned in the heel and toe regions. This segmentation allows for controlled material distribution that achieves consistent ball speeds while maintaining manufacturability through defined zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies material parameters (hardness, elastic modulus, density) across different regions of the striking surface. By changing material properties spatially, the design achieves consistent ball speed across different impact locations while allowing for controlled manufacturing processes.
3Manufacturing precision
If the striking surface is optimized for performance, then ball speed consistency improves, but personal preference characteristics (feel, sound, aesthetics) may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the striking surface are assigned different material properties to simultaneously satisfy performance and preference requirements. The center region materials are optimized for ball speed consistency, while the heel and toe region materials are selected to provide specific feel and sound characteristics that golfers prefer.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of putter-type golf club head comprising a striking surface capable of achieving consistent ball speeds across the striking surface to account for various ball impact locations are described herein. The striking surface has at least two materials that differs in concentration away from the geometric center of the striking surface to provide this consistency. Consistent (or uniform) ball speed is achieved throughout the striking surface as the portion of the golf ball that contacts the striking surface interacts with at least two materials having a differing material characteristic.