Multi-piece Golf Ball Layer Design for Spin and Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf balls with multilayer structures struggle to achieve a balance between distance, controllability, and low spin rate on full shots, particularly for professional and skilled amateur golfers, as they often compromise on feel and durability.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece solid golf ball design featuring a core made of soft thermoplastic elastomer, an envelope layer of rubber with high resilience, an intermediate layer of ionomer resin, and a cover of soft urethane rubber, with specific gravity and hardness conditions optimized to reduce spin rate and enhance distance and controllability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a multilayer structure with hard ionomer material is used to suppress spin and increase distance, then flight performance improves, but controllability and feel in the short game deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The golf ball is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: a hard ionomer envelope layer for distance and spin suppression, and a soft cover layer for controllability and feel. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize for its specific purpose without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the golf ball have different material properties tailored to local requirements. The envelope layer uses hard ionomer material for aerodynamic performance, while the cover layer uses soft material for short game control, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If a soft cover is used to improve controllability and feel, then short game performance improves, but spin rate on full shots increases
Solution Approach 1:
The golf ball separates the functions of spin control and feel into different layers. The hard envelope layer handles spin rate suppression on full shots, while the soft cover layer provides controllability and feel, eliminating the trade-off through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate layer acts as a mediator between the hard envelope layer and soft cover, transitioning the mechanical properties gradually. This intermediate structure allows the hard envelope to suppress spin while the soft cover maintains controllability, with the intermediate layer facilitating stress distribution.
3Speed
If a hard envelope layer is used to increase initial velocity, then distance improves, but excessive spin receptivity occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope layer is segmented into the hard ionomer layer for velocity generation and the soft cover for spin control. This segmentation allows the hard layer to maximize initial velocity while the soft cover acts as a spin-dampening interface with the club.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The golf ball achieves increased distance on full shots, improved controllability in the short game, and a lower spin rate, while maintaining a good feel and durability through the optimized layer composition and properties.
Implementation Method 1
the core is formed primarily of one or more thermoplastic elastomer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, olefin and styrene-type thermoplastic elastomers
Implementation Method 2
by forming the solid core of a soft thermoplastic elastomer, the spin rate on full shots is suppressed
Implementation Method 3
by forming the envelope layer of a rubber material that has a high resilience and is harder than the solid core, it is possible to obtain a high initial velocity and to suppress excess spin receptivity on full shots
Implementation Method 4
by forming the intermediate layer of an ionomer resin that is harder than the envelope layer, the spin rate on full shots can be suppressed
Implementation Method 5
by forming the outermost cover layer of soft urethane rubber, a high spin performance on approach shots in the short game and an excellent scuff resistance can be achieved
Data Source
AI summary
In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the core is formed primarily of a thermoplastic elastomer, the envelope layer is formed of a rubber composition containing primarily a rubber material, the intermediate layer is formed of a resin composition containing primarily an ionomer, and the cover is formed of a resin composition containing primarily a urethane. The relationships among the specific gravities and the surface hardnesses of the respective layers are optimized. This golf ball enables an increased distance on full shots with a driver and improved controllability in the short game to be achieved, and also makes it possible to obtain a further reduction in the spin rate on full shots.