Polyurea Rear-Face Coating for Variable-Thickness Golf Club Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf club heads experience reduced performance metrics such as characteristic time (CT) and coefficient of restitution (COR) due to the limitations in durability when faced with high-speed impacts, as existing face reinforcement structures compromise these measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a polymeric coating, specifically polyurea, to the rear surface of a golf club head with a variable thickness pattern, which includes affixing a guard fixture to protect the stiffening members and applying the coating to cure, ensuring it follows the contours of the face insert while maintaining a level rear surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art face reinforcement structures are used to improve durability, then durability is improved, but characteristic time (CT) and coefficient of restitution (COR) are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a polymer coating specifically to the rear surface of the club face where reinforcement is needed, rather than using overall face reinforcement structures. This localized approach strengthens the face at impact points while preserving the overall face flexibility and performance characteristics, thus improving durability without significantly compromising COR
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining metal club face with a polymer coating layer. This composite material approach provides the strength and durability of the polymer material at the rear face surface while maintaining the elastic properties of the metal face, resolving the contradiction between durability and COR
2Reliability
If polymer coating is applied to the rear face surface to improve durability, then durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the polymer coating to the rear face surface before final assembly and finishing operations. By performing the coating operation early in the manufacturing process, the patent simplifies subsequent steps and avoids the need for disassembly and reassembly that would be required if coating were applied later
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the thickness and composition parameters of the polymer coating to optimize both durability and manufacturing efficiency. By specifying appropriate coating thickness ranges and material properties, the patent achieves desired durability improvements while keeping the coating process manageable and scalable
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 polyurea coating enhances the durability of the golf club head, allowing for improved performance by increasing the lifespan and maintaining desirable CT and COR measurements, with a 56.0% increase in hits to failure and minimal reduction in COR, while reducing face thickness and weight.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric material that adheres to an interior-facing surface of the face wall
Implementation Method 2
applying the coating to cure
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of applying a polymeric coating to a rear face surface of golf club heads with variable face thickness are disclosed herein. The coating, which preferably comprises polyurea, improves the durability of the face and reduces the hits to failure ratio of the golf club head. The coating improves the performance of the golf club head because it allows for reduction in overall face thickness and easy post-process manipulation to allow for fine-tuning of mass properties after production. The reduction in thickness leads to overall weight reduction, because the polymer is roughly a quarter of the density of titanium or stainless steel, and also reinforces the face, thereby increasing the lifespan of the club.