Golf Ball Intermediate-Layer Protrusions for Speed-Dependent Spin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball constructions struggle to balance the stiffness for high-speed club impacts while maintaining a desirable spin profile for lower speed shots.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating protrusions on the intermediate layer of a golf ball to enhance energy transfer during high-speed club impacts, thereby reducing long game spin and maintaining a high spin for wedge shots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the cover layer is increased to maintain volume, then the stiffness for high-speed shots is improved, but the spin profile for lower speed shots deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate layer is designed with non-uniform thickness through the protrusions, creating locally varied density and stiffness characteristics. The protrusions concentrate material in specific regions to enhance stiffness for high-speed impacts while maintaining overall volume, allowing the cover to spin appropriately on lower speed shots without requiring uniform thickness increase throughout the entire layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate layer is segmented into a base portion and multiple protrusions, dividing the layer into functional zones. The protrusions act as discrete stiffness-enhancing elements that engage during high-speed impacts, while the base portion maintains the overall volume and provides a compliant foundation that preserves spin characteristics on lower speed shots.
2Power
If protrusions are added to the intermediate layer to improve stiffness, then energy transfer during high-speed impacts is enhanced, but the complexity of the layer structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are designed with spherical or rounded tops having a radius of curvature concentric with the golf ball's center. This spherical geometry naturally distributes stress during impact, enhances energy transfer through the protrusion apex, and can be manufactured using standard spherical molding techniques, minimizing production complexity despite the added structural feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate layer functions as a composite structure combining the base portion material with protrusion material, where the protrusions may be formed from different material properties or densities. This composite approach allows optimization of energy transfer characteristics while maintaining manufacturability through co-molding or overmolding processes commonly used in golf ball production.
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 protrusions on the intermediate layer improve stiffness for high-speed shots while preserving a desirable spin profile for lower speed shots, enhancing overall golf ball performance.
Implementation Method 1
disposing protrusions on an intermediate layer of a golf ball to more efficiently transfer energy during high-speed club impacts in order to reduce long game spin
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball is disclosed herein that includes an intermediate layer having protrusions. Among other advantages, the geometry and profile of the protrusions are optimized to provide increased stiffness on shots with higher club head speeds, while maintaining the volume of the softer cover material in order to maintain sufficient spin on wedge shots. The protrusions are further configured to transfer energy during high speed club impacts and more efficiently reduce long game spin.