Conductive Nanoshells in Golf Ball Polymer Compositions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Golf ball manufacturers face challenges in dispersing nanostructures throughout golf ball polymer compositions, leading to agglomeration issues that affect the molding process and the final characteristics of the golf ball, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating conductive nanoshelled structures, such as conductive hollow nanoshells and nanorice particles, into a thermoset or thermoplastic composition, which allows for uniform dispersion without orientation, enhancing the polymer network and adhesion, and improving optical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional nanostructures (nanofibers, nanotubes, nanoparticles) are incorporated into golf ball polymer compositions, then properties such as specific gravity, modulus, and tensile strength can be altered, but the nanostructures are difficult to disperse and form agglomerations that interfere with molding and negatively impact golf ball characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the nanostructures by using conductive materials with specific electrical conductivity ranges (10^-6 to 10^6 S/m) and controlled particle size distributions (0.1 to 10 micrometers). These parameter changes enable the nanostructures to disperse uniformly in the polymer matrix without agglomeration, resolving the contradiction between improving strength and maintaining dispersibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining conductive nanostructures with golf ball polymer compositions (including thermosets, thermoplastics, and elastomers). This composite approach allows the nanostructures to enhance mechanical properties while their conductive nature prevents agglomeration, simultaneously achieving improved strength and manufacturability
2Adaptability or versatility
If nanostructures are incorporated to adjust golf ball properties, then specific gravity, modulus, and tensile strength can be optimized, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase due to difficulty in dispersion and orientation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive nanostructures provide self-service functionality by using their inherent electrical conductivity to prevent agglomeration during mixing and molding processes. This eliminates the need for complex orientation mechanisms or specialized dispersion equipment, allowing standard golf ball manufacturing processes to be used while still achieving uniform distribution and property optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive nanostructures serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as reinforcement agents for improving mechanical properties, as dispersibility agents through their conductive interactions, and as potential additives for adjusting electrical properties. This multi-functionality allows single-parameter adjustment of multiple golf ball characteristics without increasing manufacturing complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If nanostructures are substantially oriented within the golf ball composition, then dispersibility and agglomeration can be improved, but the margin for error on the assembly line increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using mechanical orientation methods that increase manufacturing complexity and cost, the patent inverts the approach by allowing random orientation of nanostructures while using their conductive properties to achieve uniform dispersion. This inversion eliminates the need for expensive orientation equipment and reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining excellent dispersibility
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 solution results in golf balls with improved durability, specific gravity control, and enhanced playing characteristics, such as coefficient of restitution (COR) and compression, while maintaining color stability and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
Golf balls of the invention have a CoR of at least 0.700 and a compression of at least 50 and comprise at least one layer consisting of a mixture of thermoset or thermoplastic composition and a plurality of conductive nanoshelled structures
Data Source
AI summary
Golf ball having CoR of at least 0.700 and compression of at least 50 and comprising a layer of a mixture of thermoset or thermoplastic composition and a plurality of conductive nanoshelled structures such as conductive hollow nanoshells and/or nanorice particles. Conductive nanoshelled structures may be included in amount of from about 2 wt % to greater than 50 wt. % of total weight of mixture. Diameter of each conductive nano shelled structure at widest cross-section may be up to 1000 nm. Each conductive hollow nanoshell may have shell thickness to longitudinal diameter ratio of from about 1:3 to about 1:100. Each nanorice particle may have longitudinal diameter of up to 1000 nm. Shell thickness can be from 1 nm to 100 nm and may be controlled. A layer consisting of mixture may have specific gravity that differs from specific gravity of a layer consisting of the thermoset or thermoplastic composition portion of mixture.