Multi-piece Golf Ball Hardness Gradient for Low Head Speed Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf balls with multilayer constructions for low-head-speed golfers do not fully optimize core hardness profiles and layer thickness relationships, resulting in suboptimal flight performance and feel at impact.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece solid golf ball design with a core, inner and outer envelope layers, and an intermediate layer, where the surface hardnesses of these layers follow a specific relationship, and the core hardness profile is adjusted to satisfy certain conditions, using elastomers like polyester and polyurethane for the envelope layers, to achieve improved flight and feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the core hardness profile and layer thickness relationships are optimized for low-head-speed golfers, then flight performance and feel at impact improve, but the device complexity increases due to multiple layers with specific hardness relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope layer is divided into an inner envelope layer and an outer envelope layer with different hardness characteristics. The inner envelope layer has a lower surface hardness than the outer envelope layer, creating a gradient structure that optimizes both flight performance and feel at impact for low-head-speed golfers.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the golf ball are assigned different hardness properties. The core has a specific hardness range (40-50 Shore D), the inner envelope layer has lower surface hardness than the outer envelope layer, and the cover has the highest surface hardness. This local differentiation of properties optimizes performance while managing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the envelope layer is formed as two layers with specific hardness relationships, then a soft feel at impact is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise hardness parameter ranges for each layer to achieve the desired soft feel at impact. The inner envelope layer surface hardness is controlled to be lower than the outer envelope layer surface hardness, with the core hardness maintained at 40-50 Shore D. These parameter controls ensure consistent performance while providing clear manufacturing guidelines.
Data Source
AI summary
In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the envelope layer is formed into two layers—an inner envelope layer and an outer envelope layer. The inner envelope layer-encased sphere, outer envelope layer-encased sphere, intermediate layer-encased sphere and ball have respective surface hardness that satisfy a specific relationship. The inner envelope layer or outer envelope layer is formed primarily of one or more elastomer, and further the core has a particular hardness profile. This ball has an excellent flight when struck by golfers whose head speeds are not that fast and has a good, soft feel at impact, thus making it highly suitable for amateur golfers.