Negative Hardness Gradient Golf Ball Core
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a single layer golf ball core that exhibits a soft-to-hard hardness gradient from the surface to the center, which is both inexpensive and efficient to produce, allowing for unique combinations of compression, feel, and spin.
Innovation Solution
A single layer golf ball core is formed with varying hardness regions, including an inner core, outer core, and intermediate core, achieved by adjusting peroxide and antioxidant types, amounts, curing times, and temperatures, resulting in a core with a negative hardness gradient where the outer surface hardness is equal to or lower than the center hardness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a hard golf ball core is used to provide high initial velocity and increased distance, then the ball achieves greater distance, but the spin rate decreases making the ball more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct hardness zones within the core: a harder center region (Shore C 70-90) for energy storage and distance, and a softer outer region (Shore C 40-60) for spin control. This spatial variation in material properties allows the ball to simultaneously achieve high initial velocity from the hard center while maintaining controllable spin through the softer outer layer that better interacts with the club face.
2Ease of operation
If a soft golf ball core is used to provide higher spin rate and control, then the ball is easier to control, but the initial velocity and distance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing local quality with a differentiated core structure where the softer outer region (Shore C 40-60) provides enhanced spin control and feel, while the harder center region (Shore C 70-90) maintains energy storage capacity for high initial velocity. This zoned approach allows the ball to exhibit soft characteristics at the surface for control while preserving hard characteristics internally for distance.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single layer core with conventional hard surface to soft center gradient is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the ability to provide both high velocity and control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the hardness profile from the conventional hard-surface/soft-center gradient to a negative gradient with a harder center (Shore C 70-90) and softer outer region (Shore C 40-60). This parameter inversion is achieved through controlled curing processes that create the desired hardness distribution, enabling the core to simultaneously provide high initial velocity and controllable spin while maintaining a single-layer construction for manufacturing efficiency.
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
This approach allows for the creation of golf balls with tailored compression, feel, and spin characteristics, enhancing player performance by providing the benefits of a harder ball without sacrificing control.
Implementation Method 1
The cores can be heated and crosslinked to create certain characteristics, such as higher or lower compression, which can impact the spin rate of the ball and/or provide better feel
Implementation Method 2
The cores can be heated and crosslinked to create certain characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
Golf ball comprising a single layer core formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising: geometric center and outer surface; inner core region disposed about the geometric center, outer core region adjacent the outer surface, and intermediate core region disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extending radially from about 10 mm to about 16 mm from the geometric center. A first hardness is disposed within the inner core region, a second hardness is disposed within the outer core region, and a third hardness of from about 40 Shore C to about 95 Shore C (or about 30 Shore D to about 70 Shore D) is disposed within the intermediate core region and is greater than each of the first and second hardnesses. At least one hardness in the outer core region is substantially the same as or less than a hardness in the inner core region.