Multi-Component Golf Club Head with Variable Modulus Heel and Toe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf club heads have limitations in maximizing the coefficient of restitution (COR) across the entire ball striking face, particularly in the heel and toe areas, due to varying stiffness which reduces the 'trampoline effect' and energy transfer to the ball, especially in off-center hits.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating titanium or titanium alloy components with a lower modulus of elasticity in the heel and toe areas of the club head, combined with higher modulus materials in the center, to enhance deformability and increase the COR in these regions, thereby expanding the 'sweet spot' and improving energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If higher modulus materials are used throughout the club head to increase stiffness and strength, then structural integrity is improved, but the coefficient of restitution in heel and toe areas decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different modulus materials in different regions of the club head. Specifically, higher modulus materials are used in the center region for structural integrity, while lower modulus materials are used in the heel and toe regions to increase deformability and coefficient of restitution. This spatial differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between overall strength and localized COR performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple materials with different modulus values within a single club head structure. The composite construction allows the center region to benefit from high-stiffness materials for structural support, while the periphery utilizes low-stiffness materials to enhance the trampoline effect and energy transfer, thereby simultaneously achieving both structural integrity and high coefficient of restitution.
2Reliability
If the club face is made more deformable to increase the trampoline effect and COR, then energy transfer to the ball is improved, but structural stability and control decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only specific regions (heel and toe) of the club face more deformable while keeping the center region stiffer. This localized deformability increases the trampoline effect and coefficient of restitution in off-center hit areas without compromising the overall structural stability provided by the rigid center portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the club head into distinct functional zones with different material properties. The center region is segmented as a stable, high-stiffness core for structural control, while the heel and toe regions are segmented as deformable, low-stiffness zones for enhanced energy transfer. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both stability and deformability.
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 solution increases the COR in the heel and toe areas, leading to greater distance and consistency in golf shots by expanding the area of high COR response, especially on off-center hits, while maintaining compliance with COR standards.
Implementation Method 1
The low modulus of elasticity components are more susceptible to deformation, thereby increasing the club head coefficient of restitution in certain locations on the ball striking face
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
A golf club head having multiple components is provided. The golf club head includes a plurality of components wherein at least one component exhibits a different modulus of elasticity than the other components. In some structures, one or more of the plurality of components that comprise the golf club head is titanium or titanium alloy component provided in the heel and/or toe areas of the club head structure immediately adjacent the ball striking face, wherein that titanium or titanium alloy component has a lower modulus of elasticity than the material making up the club face and/or other club head body components.