Segmented Golf Club Insert for Strikeface Flexure and Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing iron-type golf club heads with thin strikefaces face challenges in achieving optimal strikeface flexure and damping vibrations, leading to reduced energy return to the golf ball and undesirable vibrations.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a back cavity insert with multiple layers and discrete sections allows for increased strikeface flexure and vibration damping. The insert covers at least 60% of the strikeface rear surface area and features gaps between sections to enhance flexibility and energy return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single-piece hard plastic or metallic insert cover is used, then the insert provides structural support, but the insert is put into tension as it flexes rearwards, inhibiting rearward flexure of the insert and reducing energy returned to the ball
Solution Approach 1:
The insert cover is divided into multiple discrete sections rather than being a single continuous piece. These sections are spaced apart to form a pattern, allowing the insert to flex rearwards during ball impact without being constrained by continuous material. The segmentation enables the insert to maintain structural support while permitting the necessary flexure for energy return.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the strikeface is thinned to move more mass to the perimeter and allow greater flexibility, then mass distribution and flexibility improve, but the back cavity insert has a greater effect on strikeface flexion, putting the insert into tension and reducing energy return
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented insert cover design allows the thin strikeface to flex freely during impact. By spacing the insert sections apart, the design accommodates the greater flexion needed by thinned strikefaces without creating tension constraints that would reduce energy return.
3Adaptability or versatility
If iron-type golf club heads with thin faces are used, then mass is moved to the perimeter and strikeface flexibility increases, but undesirable vibrations occur in the top rail
Solution Approach 1:
Damping material is applied specifically to the top rail area where vibrations occur, rather than throughout the entire club head. This localized damping treatment addresses the harmful vibrations in the top rail while maintaining the overall flexibility benefits of the thin strikeface design.
4Ease of manufacture
If a continuous hard plastic or metallic insert cover is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the insert inhibits rearward flexure of the strikeface, reducing ball speed and travel distance
Solution Approach 1:
The insert cover is manufactured as multiple discrete sections rather than a single continuous piece. This segmentation allows the insert to flex with the strikeface during impact, improving energy transfer to the ball and increasing ball speed, while still providing sufficient structural support through the patterned arrangement of sections.
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 design improves energy return to the golf ball, resulting in higher launch angles, ball speeds, and increased shot distance, while also effectively damping vibrations to enhance the overall performance and feel of the golf club.
Implementation Method 1
a damping member positioned within the back cavity and in contact with the insert and/or the club head body to dampen one or more high amplitude zones
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric layer having a plurality of flexible polymeric portions
Data Source
AI summary
The invention described herein is an iron-type golf club head having a back cavity and a multi-section back cavity insert that preserves more strikeface flexibility and energy return to the golf ball. Additionally, the back cavity insert includes a damping member that mitigates undesirable vibrations produced after the golf club head impacts a golf ball. In some embodiments, the damping member includes an extension tip or arm that contacts an undercut of the golf club head.