Golf Ball Module with Hard Protective Layer for Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf balls with embedded electronic modules and power sources face issues with balance and durability, leading to adverse effects on flying distance and hitting feel due to the weight and impact sensitivity of the hardware.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design with a module including an electronic circuit and power source, surrounded by a protective layer of high Shore D hardness, a core with a softer material, and a cover, with strategically placed weights or cavities to maintain balance and reduce deformation upon impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a module with electronic circuit and power source is embedded in the golf ball, then the golf ball can record and transmit information, but the weight balance is lost and the flying distance is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a protective layer with specific hardness properties (Shore D hardness of 60 or higher) only in the region surrounding the module, while the core maintains its original rubber composition properties. This localized modification protects the module without fundamentally changing the overall weight balance of the golf ball.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the hardness parameter of the protective layer material to at least 60 Shore D, which is significantly harder than the core material. This parameter change provides mechanical protection to the module while the overall weight distribution is controlled to maintain balance within 1.0 g·cm².
2Reliability
If a protective layer is wrapped around the module to prevent damage from impact, then the module is protected, but the hit feeling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer is applied locally only around the module with high hardness (≥60 Shore D), while the core remains soft rubber. This localized hard protection shields the module from impact damage without making the entire golf ball hard, thereby preserving the hit feeling during club contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The golf ball uses a composite structure combining a soft rubber core with a hard protective layer surrounding the module. This composite design allows the core to provide the necessary softness for good hit feeling while the hard protective layer protects the embedded module from impact damage.
3Reliability
If the protective layer material is made harder to protect the module, then the module damage is reduced, but the difference in hardness between protective layer and core increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the protective layer material should have a Shore D hardness of 60 or higher, which provides sufficient protection for the module. The hardness parameter is optimized to balance protection effectiveness with the need to maintain acceptable hardness difference from the core.
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball according to the present invention includes: a module including an electronic circuit and its power source; a protective layer that surrounds an outer periphery of the module and is formed from a material having a Shore D hardness of at least 60; a core that surrounds an outer periphery of the protective layer; and a cover that surrounds an outer periphery of the core. A weight may be arranged on a surface of the protective layer. A difference between a value MOImax of the moment of inertia in a direction in which the moment of inertia of the golf ball is maximum and a value MOImin of the moment of inertia in a direction in which the moment of inertia of the golf ball is minimum is at most 1.0 g·cm2.