Golf Ball Core Assemblage With Hardness Gradients for Lower Driver Spin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-layer golf balls exhibit high spin rates off the driver, leading to increased dispersion and reduced distance, which is undesirable for recreational players who cannot control spin effectively.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball core assemblage with a positive hardness and compression gradient, comprising a center, inner core layer, and outer core layer, each with specific hardness and diameter relationships, formulated with varying amounts of zinc diacrylate and polybutadiene rubber, to reduce driver spin while maintaining performance on short shots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multi-layer golf ball construction is used to improve control and spin on short shots, then spin rate increases and control improves, but driver spin rate becomes excessively high causing increased dispersion and reduced distance
Solution Approach 1:
The core is divided into multiple layers (first core layer, second core layer, third core layer) with progressively increasing hardness. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute differently to ball performance: softer inner layers provide control on short shots while harder outer layers reduce driver spin
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the core have different hardness properties - the inner core layers are softer while outer core layers are harder. This local quality variation enables the ball to exhibit different spin characteristics depending on the shot type: higher spin control on short shots and reduced spin on driver shots
2Object-generated harmful factors
If more core layers with varying hardness are implemented to reduce driver spin, then driver spin and dispersion decrease, but ball construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The core layers are nested concentrically with each layer disposed about the previous layer, sharing a common center. This nested structure reduces complexity by using a regular geometric arrangement rather than irregular positioning, while still achieving the desired spin reduction through the hardness gradient
3Object-generated harmful factors
If zinc diacrylate content is increased in outer core layers to increase hardness and reduce spin, then driver spin decreases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for zinc diacrylate content (3-8 phr in first layer, 5-10 phr in second layer, 7-12 phr in third layer) to achieve the desired hardness gradient. By defining specific parameter ranges rather than exact values, the patent balances spin reduction performance with manufacturing feasibility
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-layer golf ball cores having positive hardness and compression gradients and golf balls including these cores are disclosed. The hardness, compression, and diameter relationships in the core assemblage components help to reduce the spin rate of the ball off the driver while still providing desirable performance characteristics in and around the green.