Multi-piece Golf Ball Layer Hardness and Thickness Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-piece solid golf balls struggle to achieve superior distance performance on full shots with both drivers and irons, particularly for amateur golfers with lower head speeds, due to suboptimal core hardness profiles and layer thickness relationships.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design featuring a core made of rubber composition, an envelope layer and intermediate layer made of resin materials, with specific Shore C and Shore D hardness relationships and thickness conditions, ensuring the cover is harder than the intermediate layer and the envelope layer is softer than the core, while the envelope layer's thickness and hardness exceed the cover's, and the core deflection under load is sufficient to enhance distance and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the core hardness profile and layer thickness relationships are optimized for distance, then the distance performance on full shots with driver and irons is improved, but the feel at impact becomes harder and durability to cracking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct hardness zones within the core (softer center, harder periphery) and assigning different material properties to each layer. The envelope layer uses a resin material with specific hardness and thickness relationships, the intermediate layer has transitional properties, and the cover has different characteristics - each layer is locally optimized for its specific function while working together as a system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining a rubber composition core with resin material layers (envelope and intermediate layers). This multi-material construction allows each material to contribute its advantageous properties - the rubber core provides elasticity and energy storage, while the resin layers provide structural integrity and crack resistance, achieving both distance and durability.
2Productivity
If the cover is made harder than the intermediate layer for distance performance, then the distance on full shots is improved, but the soft feel at impact is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the hardness values, thickness measurements, and hardness-thickness product relationships of each layer. The envelope layer's hardness and thickness are specifically calibrated to create a softer overall feel while maintaining distance performance, and the intermediate layer's properties are adjusted to bridge between the core and cover characteristics.
3Reliability
If the envelope layer thickness and hardness are increased relative to the cover, then durability to cracking is improved, but the distance performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through precise parameter optimization - specifically establishing that the product of envelope layer thickness and Shore D hardness must be greater than or equal to the product of cover thickness and Shore D hardness. This quantitative relationship ensures the envelope layer provides sufficient crack resistance while the overall layer configuration maintains distance performance.
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 superior distance performance on full shots with both drivers and irons, provides a soft feel at impact, and exhibits excellent durability against cracking, meeting the needs of amateur golfers by optimizing the hardness and thickness profiles of its layers.
Implementation Method 1
letting C be the deflection of the core in millimeters when compressed under a final load of 1,275 N (130 kgf) from an initial load of 98 N (10 kgf)
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 of one or more layer of a rubber composition; the envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover are each formed of a single layer of resin material; the hardness relationship among the layers satisfies the following two conditions:material hardness of cover>material hardness of intermediate layer, andmaterial hardness of envelope layer≥surface hardness of core;the ball additionally satisfies the condition:envelope layer thickness (mm)×envelope layer material hardness (Shore D hardness) cover thickness (mm)×cover material hardness (Shore D hardness); and the core and ball have optimized deflections when subjected to a specific loading. This ball serves as a distance ball which enables a superior distance to be achieved on full shots with a driver and with irons.