Baseball Core Design for COR Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Baseballs used with BBCOR certified bats experience reduced usable life due to increased energy absorption and deformation, leading to decreased coefficient of restitution (COR) and compression over time, making them less desirable for play.
Innovation Solution
A baseball design featuring a core made of diene-based rubber composition with specific additives, surrounded by yarn layers and a cover assembly, which maintains a high COR value even after multiple impacts, ensuring consistent performance and extended durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing baseballs are used with BBCOR certified bats, then the bat performance meets the 0.500 BBCOR limit, but the baseball absorbs more impact energy causing increased deformation and decreased usable life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the baseball core by using a smaller diameter (less than 2.0 inches) and lighter weight (less than 1.5 ounces) compared to traditional baseballs. This parameter change alters the energy absorption characteristics during impact, reducing deformation while maintaining BBCOR compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material structure consisting of a rubber composition core surrounded by multiple layers of yarn (including polyester and nylon) and covered with leather or synthetic material. This composite construction provides both the necessary durability and energy management properties for extended usable life with BBCOR bats.
2Reliability
If BBCOR certified bats are used to maintain wood-like performance, then consistent bat performance is achieved, but more impact energy is absorbed by the baseball causing degradation of structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the core size parameters (diameter less than 2.0 inches, weight less than 1.5 ounces) to modify the stress distribution and energy absorption characteristics during impact, thereby preserving structural integrity while maintaining BBCOR performance standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer composite construction with rubber core, polyester yarn, nylon yarn, and leather/synthetic cover provides enhanced structural integrity by distributing impact forces across different material layers, each contributing specific mechanical properties resistant to deformation and degradation.
3Measurement precision
If traditional baseball construction is used, then initial COR performance is achieved, but compression and COR decrease significantly after multiple impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the core size and material composition parameters to optimize the coefficient of restitution characteristics. The smaller, lighter core with specific rubber composition maintains consistent elastic properties through multiple impacts, preventing the significant COR degradation seen in traditional baseballs.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material system with rubber core and multiple yarn layers provides stable elastic recovery properties. The combination of materials with different mechanical characteristics ensures consistent COR performance by distributing and managing impact energy throughout the ball structure.
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 baseball retains over 95% of its initial COR value after 60 impacts, significantly reducing compression loss and extending its playable life, thus reducing waste and costs associated with frequent replacements.
Implementation Method 1
The core has a diameter of less than 2.0 inches and a weight less than 1.5 ounces... The second COR value is greater than 95 percent of the initial COR value
Implementation Method 2
The increased energy absorbed by the baseball can increase the deformation of the baseball upon impact and degrade the structural integrity of the baseball
Data Source
AI summary
A baseball capable of being tested under ASTM F1887-09 wherein the baseball is projected at a strike plate at a speed of approximately 60 mph to measure the COR of the baseball. The baseball includes a core formed of a diene-based rubber composition, at least one layer of yarn surrounding the core, and a cover assembly surrounding the one layer of yarn. The core has a diameter of less than 2.0 inches and a weight less than 1.5 ounces. The baseball has a circumference of less than 9.5 inches and a weight of less than 5.5 ounces. The baseball has an initial COR value when tested in accordance with ASTM F1887-09 and a second COR value measured after the baseball has undergone at least 60 impacts of approximately 60 mph against the strike plate. The second COR value is greater than 95 percent of the initial COR value.