Golf Wedge Sole with Variable Convex Radii for Turf Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf club head sole profiles, particularly in iron and wedge types, fail to adequately accommodate various shot types and turf interactions, leading to suboptimal performance in full shots, flop shots, and knock-down shots due to limited versatility in sole design.
Innovation Solution
A golf club head with a sole profile featuring continuously variable convex radii from the leading edge to the trailing edge, a high bounce angle greater than 60°, and a Sole Contour Ratio of less than 0.25, allowing for improved turf interaction and shot versatility through a rounded leading edge and flatter trailing edge design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sole profile is designed with a standard convex radius, then the club head structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the versatility for different shot types (full shots, flop shots, knock-down shots) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sole profile is segmented into multiple zones with different convex radii: a first zone near the leading edge with a first convex radius, and a second zone toward the trailing edge with a second convex radius. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for specific shot types, enabling the club to handle full shots, flop shots, and knock-down shots effectively without requiring an overly complex overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the sole are given different geometric properties through varying convex radii. The first convex radius in the first zone provides specific characteristics for certain shot types, while the second convex radius in the second zone provides different characteristics for other shot types. This local differentiation of geometric quality enables versatile performance across multiple shot types.
2Reliability
If the sole entry height is increased to improve turf interaction, then the leading edge engagement with turf is enhanced, but the club head geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sole profile incorporates dynamic geometric variation through the transition between different convex radii zones. The sole entry height is optimized at approximately 0.060 inches, creating a dynamic interaction with the turf that adapts to different swing conditions and shot types, improving reliability without requiring excessive geometric complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes specific geometric parameters within defined ranges: sole entry height of approximately 0.060 inches, and convex radii between 0.020-0.080 inches. By carefully controlling these parameters, the patent achieves improved turf interaction quality while maintaining manufacturable geometry that doesn't become excessively complex.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sole has a rounded leading edge design, then the divot size is reduced and turf interaction is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sole incorporates curved surfaces with specific convex radii to replace sharp edges. The first convex radius rounds the leading edge area, and the second convex radius rounds the trailing edge area. This spheroidality reduces divot size by creating a more gradual turf interaction, while the specific radius values are chosen to be manufacturable with standard precision capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies convex radius parameters within practical ranges (0.020-0.080 inches) that balance the benefits of rounded edges with manufacturing capabilities. By controlling the curvature parameters within these ranges, the invention achieves reduced divot size while maintaining reasonable manufacturing precision requirements that don't require ultra-precise tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club head with an improved sole profile is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a wedge type golf club head wherein the sole is formed from continuously variable radius of curvature from the leading edge to the trailing edge, without any identifiable inflection points. The resulting golf club head improves performance, as this new sole profile allows specific portions of the sole to have a profile that meets the needs at that location.