Golf Ball Polyurethane Cover Ionomer Layer Distance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf balls that limit distance travel do so at the expense of feel and controllability, and existing multi-piece solid golf balls prioritize flight performance over distance reduction, making them unsuitable for future standardized limited-distance golfing requirements.
Innovation Solution
A three-layer golf ball construction featuring a rubber core, a polyurethane cover, and a low-resilience ionomer intermediate layer, where the core has a higher surface hardness than the cover and intermediate layer, optimizing initial velocity and scuff resistance while maintaining a soft feel and minimizing distance reduction when hit with irons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the rebound resilience of the core material is decreased to lower initial velocity, then distance traveled is reduced, but scuff resistance and controllability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The golf ball is divided into three distinct layers: a core layer, an intermediate layer, and a cover layer. Each layer is optimized for its specific function - the core for rebound control, the intermediate layer for scuff resistance, and the cover for feel and spin control. This segmentation allows each component to excel at its primary function without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material construction with different materials for each layer. The core uses high-resilience material for rebound, the intermediate layer uses ionomer or thermoplastic polyester elastomer for scuff resistance, and the cover uses thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer for feel and controllability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties.
2Speed
If the hardness of the ball is increased to reduce distance, then initial velocity is limited, but feel on impact becomes unpleasant
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the golf ball have different hardness characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The core is softer to provide good feel on impact, while the cover is harder to control spin and distance. The intermediate layer provides a transition zone. This local differentiation of material properties allows the ball to satisfy both contradictory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the hardness contradiction by adding a dimensional aspect - creating a multi-layer radial structure where hardness varies with distance from the center. This radial dimension allows the ball to have both soft outer surface for feel and harder inner structure for distance control.
3Speed
If the diameter of the ball is increased to reduce distance, then flight performance is affected, but the ball feels strange and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the diameter parameter, the patent changes other parameters - specifically the rebound resilience, hardness, and material composition - to achieve distance reduction while maintaining conventional ball dimensions (42.67-43.18 mm). This allows standard manufacturing equipment to be used without major modifications.
4Speed
If multi-piece solid golf balls are designed for superior flight properties, then distance is optimized, but they are unsuitable for limited-distance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic balance between flight performance and distance limitation by carefully tuning the rebound resilience and hardness parameters of each layer. The three-layer construction allows independent optimization of flight characteristics and distance control, making the ball adaptable to both performance requirements and future distance limitations.
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 a reduced distance with a soft and enjoyable feel, excellent scuff resistance, and minimal distance drop when hit with irons, ensuring enjoyable play for both professionals and amateur golfers while adhering to future distance limitations.
Implementation Method 1
disposing therebetween an intermediate layer composed primarily of a relatively soft ionomer... the actual initial velocity when the ball is hit... can be lowered considerably
Implementation Method 2
the cover is made primarily of polyurethane... forming the cover of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer
Implementation Method 3
a resilient core made of rubber... decreasing the rebound resilience of the core material
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a golf ball having a resilient core made of rubber, a cover of one or more layer encasing the core, and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the cover is made primarily of polyurethane, the intermediate layer is made primarily of ionomer, and the core has a surface hardness which is higher than the material hardnesses of the cover and the intermediate layer. The golf ball is able to limit the distance of travel more than official balls currently in use and, in spite of being a limited-distance golf ball, imparts a relatively soft and good ball feel on impact, in addition to which it has an excellent scuff resistance and, by minimizing the extent of decrease in the distance traveled by the ball when hit with an iron, minimizes the effect on golf play by amateur golfers.