Golf Ball Core Polygonal Protrusions for Spin and Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf balls face challenges in balancing soft feel and resilience across their layers, affecting distance, spin, control, and durability, as harder balls excel in distance but lack control, while softer balls spin better but lack distance and durability.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball core with a solid ionomeric sphere and 100-300 spaced polygonal protrusions extending radially, increasing the outer surface area by 5-25% and enhancing adhesion between layers, which improves load transfer efficiency and ball flight characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the golf ball core uses a harder material to achieve greater distance, then distance is improved, but spin control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The core features localized polygonal protrusions (100-300 elements) on its outer surface that create concentrated stress points during impact. These protrusions are strategically positioned to generate spin control at specific contact zones while maintaining overall core hardness for distance, allowing different regions of the core to serve different functional purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The core surface is segmented into multiple discrete polygonal protrusions rather than a uniform surface. This segmentation allows the core to interact with the intermediate layer in a distributed manner, creating multiple small contact points that collectively control spin while preserving the hardness needed for distance
2Ease of operation
If the golf ball core uses a softer material to achieve better spin control, then spin control is improved, but distance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The soft feel and spin control are achieved locally at the polygonal protrusions where they contact the intermediate layer, while the bulk core material maintains higher hardness for distance. The protrusions act as localized soft elements that deform controllably during impact, providing spin without compromising overall core resilience
3Ease of operation
If the golf ball core uses a softer material to achieve better feel, then feel is improved, but durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The core surface is divided into discrete polygonal protrusions that concentrate deformation at specific points rather than across the entire surface. This segmentation allows the protrusions to provide a soft feel through localized compliance while the overall core structure maintains durability through its harder bulk material and geometric reinforcement
4Strength
If the golf ball core uses a harder material to achieve greater resilience, then resilience is improved, but feel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The core combines hard bulk material for resilience with softer or more compliant polygonal protrusions on the surface that contact the intermediate layer. During impact, the protrusions deform more readily providing a soft feel, while the hard core material rebounds efficiently to maintain resilience and distance
5Strength
If the core surface area is increased by adding protrusions to enhance adhesion, then adhesion between layers is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The core surface is segmented into regular polygonal protrusions with consistent geometry (100-300 elements), creating a predictable pattern that enhances adhesion through increased surface area. The systematic arrangement and uniform shape of protrusions allow for controlled manufacturing complexity while achieving superior layer bonding
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball core for use in a multi-piece golf ball includes a solid sphere and between 100 and 300 spaced polygonal protrusions extending from the solid sphere in a radially outward direction. The sphere is substantially formed from an ionomeric material, and has a diameter (D) of between 24 mm and 32 mm. The polygonal protrusions extend from the sphere by a maximum distance of between 0.15 mm and 1.0 mm.