Golf Ball Envelope Layer Hardness Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf balls with an outer-hard and inner-soft hardness distribution effectively lower spin rate on driver shots but also reduce spin rate on approach shots, compromising controllability.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design with a spherical center and envelope layers, where a low-hardness envelope layer is positioned between 36.0% and 65.0% of the radius from the center, and a high-hardness layer is positioned near the outermost region, to selectively control spin rates on driver and approach shots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If an outer-hard and inner-soft hardness distribution is adopted in the golf ball, then the spin rate on driver shots is lowered and flight distance is increased, but the spin rate on approach shots is also lowered and controllability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct hardness zones at specific radial positions within the golf ball. A first envelope layer with lower hardness is positioned at 36-65% of the radius, while a second envelope layer with higher hardness is positioned at 75-95% of the radius. This localized hardness differentiation allows the ball to exhibit different deformation characteristics during driver shots versus approach shots, resolving the contradiction between reducing driver spin and maintaining approach shot control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the golf ball's envelope layers into multiple distinct zones with different hardness properties. By dividing the envelope structure into a first envelope layer (lower hardness) and a second envelope layer (higher hardness) at different radial positions, the ball can selectively control spin rates for different shot types. This segmentation enables independent optimization of driver shot distance and approach shot controllability.
2Speed
If a low hardness envelope layer is disposed in the region located at a distance from 36.0% to 65.0% of the radius, then the spin rate on driver shots is selectively lowered, but the structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by placing a low hardness envelope layer at a specific radial position (36-65% of radius) rather than uniformly throughout the ball. This localized approach achieves selective spin reduction on driver shots while minimizing the need for complex multi-layer structures throughout the entire ball, thus balancing performance improvement with structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials with different hardness properties in the envelope layers. By combining materials with distinct hardness characteristics and positioning them at specific radial locations, the patent achieves the desired spin rate control without requiring overly complex structural designs. The composite material approach allows for tailored mechanical properties in different regions of the golf ball.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball showing a low spin rate on driver shots and a high spin rate on approach shots. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a spherical center, at least two envelope layers covering the spherical center, and a cover covering the envelope layers, wherein an envelope layer (Es1) formed from a material having a lowest material hardness among a center constituent material and envelope layers constituent materials, is disposed in a region located at a distance from 36.0% to 65.0% of a golf ball radius from a center point of the golf ball.