Multi-Layer Golf Ball Hardness Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-piece solid golf balls fail to achieve a balance between reducing spin rate, enhancing distance, and maintaining scuff resistance, particularly on full shots with a driver and iron, while also ensuring good controllability and durability.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece solid golf ball design featuring a two-layer core with an inner and outer core layer, an envelope layer, and an intermediate layer, where the surface hardness of the intermediate layer is higher than the envelope layer, and the ball's surface hardness is optimized to reduce spin rate and enhance distance, with specific material compositions and layer thicknesses to improve scuff resistance and controllability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the golf ball uses a multi-layer structure with optimized hardness relationships, then flight performance and controllability are improved, but spin rate reduction on driver shots is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The golf ball is divided into multiple functional layers (cover layer, intermediate layer, envelope layer, core) with each layer having specific hardness and thickness parameters. The cover layer has Shore D hardness of 30-50 and thickness of 0.3-1.5mm, the intermediate layer has Shore D hardness of 40-60 and thickness of 0.5-2.0mm, creating a segmented structure that independently optimizes for both flight performance and spin rate reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for each layer: cover layer hardness (Shore D 30-50), intermediate layer hardness (Shore D 40-60), cover layer thickness (0.3-1.5mm), and intermediate layer thickness (0.5-2.0mm). By changing these physical parameters within optimized ranges, the ball achieves reduced spin rate on driver shots while maintaining flight performance and controllability
2Speed
If the golf ball is designed for reduced spin rate and extended distance, then scuff resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover layer is designed with specific local properties (Shore D hardness of 30-50 and thickness of 0.3-1.5mm) that differ from the intermediate layer (Shore D hardness of 40-60). This local quality differentiation allows the cover layer to provide scuff resistance while the intermediate layer contributes to spin rate reduction and distance, resolving the contradiction between durability and performance
3Speed
If the envelope layer-encased sphere has higher initial velocity, then distance is improved, but controllability on approach shots deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The golf ball employs a dynamic multi-layer structure where the envelope layer-encased sphere has optimized initial velocity for distance, while the cover layer (Shore D 30-50) and intermediate layer (Shore D 40-60) provide dynamic response characteristics that maintain controllability on approach shots. The layered construction allows different parts of the ball to respond dynamically to different types of shots
Data Source
AI summary
In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer, and a cover with a plurality of dimples thereon, the core is a two-layer core consisting of an inner core layer and an outer core layer each formed primarily of a base rubber, the envelope layer, the intermediate layer and the cover layer are each composed of at least one layer and formed primarily of a synthetic resin material, and the initial velocities and surface hardnesses of the core, the envelope layer-encased sphere and the intermediate layer-encased sphere are designed within specific ranges. This golf ball satisfies at a very high level the flight and control performances expected for use by professional golfers and skilled amateurs, has the ability to move forward on a straight path particularly on full shots, and also has an excellent scuff resistance.