Golf Ball Core Hardness Gradient for Spin and Shot Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball cores do not effectively tailor hardness gradients to achieve desired performance characteristics such as spin, feel, and control for both professional and recreational players, leading to inconsistent shot dispersion and player experience.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball core composition with a tailored hardness gradient achieved through specific formulations of base rubber, hardening agents, and additives, allowing for manipulation of hardness differences between the geometric center and surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compression of the golf ball core is increased to reduce shot dispersion, then the spin rate increases for both driver and short distance shots, but this causes excessive spin on driver shots which reduces control for professional players
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct hardness zones within the core - a softer geometric center region and a harder outer region. This allows different parts of the core to serve different functions: the softer center reduces shot dispersion for recreational players while the harder outer region moderates spin rates on driver shots for professional players, resolving the contradiction between shot consistency and spin control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the core by implementing a hardness gradient rather than uniform hardness. The core transitions from softer at the geometric center to harder at the outer region, allowing the same core to produce different spin responses depending on the impact location and force, thus addressing both shot consistency and spin control requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the hardness gradient of the core is increased to improve spin rate on short distance shots, then professional players gain better control, but recreational players experience increased shot dispersion due to excessive spin
Solution Approach 1:
The softer geometric center region provides a forgiving effect for recreational players by reducing spin on off-center hits, thereby improving shot consistency. Simultaneously, the harder outer region provides sufficient spin control for professional players on short distance shots, resolving the contradiction between spin control and shot consistency for different skill levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The core is segmented into functional regions with different hardness characteristics - the geometric center region is softer while the outer region is harder. This segmentation allows each region to contribute differently to ball flight characteristics, enabling the core to serve both recreational and professional player needs.
3Ease of manufacture
If a uniform hardness core is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the ability to tailor performance characteristics for different player skill levels is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality variations within the core structure, creating a hardness gradient from the geometric center to the outer region. This allows a single core design to provide tailored performance characteristics that accommodate different player skill levels, from recreational players needing forgiveness to professional players needing control, while still using a relatively streamlined manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions including a hardness agent and golf ball cores made from such compositions having a tailored hardness gradient are disclosed. The type and concentration of the components in the composition, including the hardness agent, affects the hardness, hardness gradient, and compression of cores made from the composition and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having desirable performance characteristics.