Putter Striking Face Variable Groove Profile for Consistent Ball Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing putter-type golf club heads have insufficient groove variations to effectively counterbalance the club head, leading to inefficient energy transfer and inconsistent shot distances due to reliance on costly and time-consuming manufacturing processes, as well as a lack of understanding about the full scope of groove parameters affecting energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A surface treatment method involving variable milling depth and pitch on the striking face of the golf club head, where groove depth decreases and pitch increases laterally outward from the face center, optimizing the moment-of-inertia and mass distribution to maintain consistent rebound speed across the striking face.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single rotating bit mills each groove to a variable profile, then groove variations can be achieved, but processing time and expense increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying groove depth, pitch, and width across different regions of the club face. Instead of using a single rotating bit with fixed parameters, the invention uses multiple cutting bits with different parameters (depths, pitches, widths) to create the groove pattern in a single pass, thereby achieving variable groove profiles without increasing processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the groove milling operation by dividing the club face into multiple zones (center, mid, perimeter) and assigning different groove parameters to each zone. Multiple cutting bits are used, each responsible for specific zones, allowing simultaneous creation of varied groove patterns across the entire face without sequential processing
2Use of energy by moving object
If groove depth and pitch are varied to counterbalance club head, then energy transfer improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by systematically varying groove depth, pitch, and width according to specific patterns across the club face. The center region has deeper grooves with smaller pitch, while perimeter regions have shallower grooves with larger pitch. This parameter variation optimizes energy transfer by creating appropriate surface texture for ball contact at different impact locations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving different groove characteristics to different regions of the club face. The center striking area receives grooves with parameters optimized for central impacts, while heel and toe areas receive grooves tailored for off-center impacts. Each region's groove parameters are locally optimized for its specific function in energy transfer
3Reliability
If groove variations are increased to affect energy transfer, then shot distance consistency improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the club face into distinct zones (center, mid, perimeter) with each zone receiving grooves of specific parameters. This segmentation allows the use of multiple cutting bits, each optimized for specific zones, creating the desired groove variations in a single manufacturing pass rather than requiring multiple sequential operations or hand-finishing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to achieve shot distance consistency by varying groove depth, pitch, and width across different face regions. The manufacturing process implements these parameter changes through a multi-bit cutting system that can accommodate different bit specifications, achieving reliable energy transfer without requiring complex custom tooling or multi-step processes
Data Source
AI summary
A putter-type golf club head has a top portion, a bottom portion, a heel portion, a toe portion, and a striking face having a variably textured region. The variably textured region includes a central portion and an outer portion laterally spaced from the central portion towards one of the heel portion and the toe portion. The central portion has a material ratio of less than 20% at a cutoff height of 0.1 mm and the outer portion has a material ratio greater than that of the central portion at the cutoff height of 0.1 mm. Variation of the textured region provides consistent ball speed upon impact at different lateral positions of the striking face.