Wedge Golf Club Head Polymer Coating Friction Gradient
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wedge type golf club heads either fail to maximize spin by increasing the coefficient of friction or do not effectively shed water and debris from the striking surface, which are crucial for achieving optimal performance and control in golf shots.
Innovation Solution
A wedge type golf club head with a polymer coating that reduces the coefficient of friction to less than 0.1 and increases the contact angle to greater than 90 degrees, providing hydrophobic properties to enhance spin generation and water/debris shedding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coefficient of friction on the striking surface is increased to maximize spin, then spin generation is improved, but the golf ball travels a shorter distance up the striking surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the friction parameter along the striking surface by creating a gradient coating structure. The friction coefficient varies from the bottom to the top of the striking surface, allowing the ball to travel further while maintaining spin generation. This is achieved through a coating with varying thickness or composition that modifies the friction characteristics at different positions on the face.
2Reliability
If the coefficient of friction on the striking surface is increased to create more spin, then backspin is improved, but friction loss increases reducing overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different friction characteristics to different regions of the striking surface. The lower portion has higher friction to initiate spin, while the upper portion has lower friction to reduce energy loss during ball travel. This spatial variation in friction quality allows spin generation without excessive energy dissipation throughout the entire contact process.
3Ease of operation
If the striking surface is made hydrophobic to shed water and debris, then self-cleaning capability is improved, but spin generation may be reduced due to lower friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the hydrophobic parameter gradient across the striking surface. The lower portion maintains higher friction for spin generation, while the upper portion has stronger hydrophobic properties for water shedding. This gradient approach allows both spin generation and self-cleaning to function effectively in different regions of the same surface.
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 polymer coating allows the golf ball to travel further up the striking surface, increasing contact with grooves for enhanced backspin and maintains spin by minimizing friction loss, while also self-cleaning the surface by shedding water and debris effectively.
Implementation Method 1
the polymer coating has been applied to a striking surface of a wedge type golf club head that decreases the coefficient of friction of the striking surface to less than about 0.1
Implementation Method 2
the polymer coating has been applied to a striking surface of a wedge type golf club head that increases the contact angle of the striking surface to be greater than about 90 degrees as well as decreases the coefficient of friction
Data Source
AI summary
A wedge type golf club head with improved performance characteristic is disclosed herein where at least a striking surface of the wedge type golf club head is coated with a polymer coating to decrease the coefficient of friction as well as create a hydrophobic surface to remove dirt and debris. More specifically, the present invention discloses a wedge type golf club head with a hydrophobic polymer coating that creates a contact angle of greater than about 90 degrees as well as decreases the coefficient of friction to be less than about 0.1.