Carbon Nanotube Golf Ball Core for Durability and Antistatic Finish

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Solution Overview

Problem

Golf balls with soft hitting feel struggle with durability due to low cross-linked density in the core rubber, leading to reduced impact resistance, and they often suffer from static electricity issues that cause foreign substance attachment, affecting performance.

Innovation Solution

A golf ball design incorporating CNT/ionomer-dispersion in the core and an antistatic coating layer on the surface, where carbon nanotubes are dispersed using polymers to enhance durability and conductivity, preventing static electricity and foreign substance attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If compression deformation is increased to achieve soft hitting feel, then hitting feel is improved, but impact resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehitting feelVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses carbon nanotubes as a reinforcement material combined with rubber matrix to create a composite core structure. The carbon nanotubes form a three-dimensional network within the rubber, providing enhanced strength and elasticity without increasing compression deformation, thus improving impact resistance while maintaining soft hitting feel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different regions: the core uses carbon nanotube-reinforced rubber with specific compression deformation (0.050-0.080 inch) for soft feel, while the cover uses ionomer resin for durability. The carbon nanotubes are specifically distributed to enhance local strength where needed without affecting overall compression characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If carbon nanotubes are used to enhance durability, then impact resistance is improved, but CNT aggregation occurs reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidCNT dispersion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a surfactant as an intermediary substance between carbon nanotubes and rubber matrix. The surfactant wraps around carbon nanotubes, preventing their aggregation through steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion, while allowing them to disperse uniformly in the rubber. This mediator enables effective CNT reinforcement without aggregation issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the dispersion process by adjusting parameters such as mixing speed, mixing time, and surfactant concentration. The carbon nanotubes are mixed at controlled speeds (300-500 rpm for 5-10 minutes) to achieve uniform dispersion without damage, and the surfactant concentration is optimized to prevent aggregation while maintaining CNT properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional rubber is used in core, then manufacturing is simple, but cross-linked density is low reducing durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecore manufacturingVSAvoidcross-linked density

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances conventional rubber by incorporating carbon nanotubes as a reinforcement phase. The carbon nanotubes act as nucleation sites for cross-linking, increasing the cross-linked density of the rubber matrix without complicating the manufacturing process. The core is still molded using conventional compression molding, but with improved material composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 golf ball achieves improved hitting feel and significantly increased durability with impact resistance exceeding conventional standards, while maintaining a soft feel and preventing static-related performance issues.

Implementation Method 1

carbon nanotubes are dispersed using polymers to enhance durability and conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 2

carbon nanotubes are contained in both core and surface... carbon nanotubes are conductive materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

the antistatic coating layer... having a surface resistance of 10^8 to 10^11 Ω/sq... preventing static electricity and foreign substance attachment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatics: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS10850164B2Carbon nanotube golf ball having improved hitting feel, durability, and antistatic property

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 VOLVIK

AI summary

Disclosed is a carbon nanotube golf ball having improved hitting feel and durability, and antistatic property comprising: a core having CNT/ionomer-dispersion; a cover formed on the core; and an antistatic finish on the top cover. Herein, CNT/ionomer-dispersions having a diameter of 10 to 3,000 μm are produced in advance using an independent process, and then applied to the present art. The top cover is provided with antistatic finish using a CNT coating solution for keeping the clean surface during the golf play.