Golf Putter Head Elastomeric Insert Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf putters often result in suboptimal direction and distance control due to excessive skid and inadequate roll, particularly when striking the ball at angles that impart loft or strike it directly, leading to inconsistent ball travel.
Innovation Solution
A golf putter head design featuring a body with a cavity containing an elastomeric insert and shock-absorbing elements, which minimizes skid and maximizes roll by distributing impact forces effectively, allowing for better control over ball travel distance and direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional putter heads are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ball produces excessive skid and inadequate roll resulting in poor direction and distance control
Solution Approach 1:
The putter head is divided into multiple functional components: a body structure, a separate insert with shock-absorbing elements, and an elastomeric material layer. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The putter head employs composite construction by combining the body material with an insert containing shock-absorbing elements and elastomeric material. This composite structure enables the integration of different material properties (structural integrity from the body, shock absorption from the insert, and vibration damping from the elastomer) to achieve superior ball travel control without excessive complexity.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the putter head strikes the ball at angles that impart loft, then the ball may travel longer distances, but the direction control becomes inconsistent due to excessive skid
Solution Approach 1:
The insert with shock-absorbing elements and the elastomeric material layer are positioned in the putter head to provide beforehand cushioning at the moment of ball impact. This pre-positioned cushioning system absorbs shock and reduces skid before the ball begins its travel, ensuring consistent directional control regardless of the loft angle imparted during the stroke.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material layer changes the physical parameters of the putter head's striking surface by providing a compliant interface that modifies impact dynamics. This parameter change (from rigid to compliant surface) reduces the skid component of ball motion and promotes earlier transition to pure roll, enhancing directional consistency across different stroke types.
3Manufacturing precision
If the putter head maximizes roll by reducing skid, then direction control improves, but the complexity of the insert and shock-absorbing elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert containing shock-absorbing elements is merged with the elastomeric material layer to form an integrated cushioning system. This merging combines multiple functions (shock absorption, vibration damping, and impact mitigation) into a single composite component that can be manufactured and installed as one unit, reducing overall complexity while maintaining the ability to maximize roll and improve direction control.
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 putter head design enhances control and accuracy by reducing skid and promoting early transition to pure roll, resulting in more consistent ball travel and improved directional control.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric insert and shock-absorbing elements, which minimizes skid and maximizes roll by distributing impact forces effectively
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric insert and shock-absorbing elements
Data Source
AI summary
A golf putter head includes a body having an external surface, an internal surface, and a cavity defined by the internal surface, the external surface having a front side configured to contact a golf ball and a top side configured to receive a shaft; and an insert configured to be disposed within the cavity of the body, the insert having a first material comprising an elastomer and a shock absorbing element at least partially encapsulated within the first material.