Dual-Core Polyester Golf Ball with Plasticizer for Spin Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf balls with hard ionomer resin cores provide high initial velocity but result in a harsh feel and low spin control, making them difficult to hit accurately, especially for approach shots near the green.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design featuring a dual-core structure with an inner core made of rubber and an outer core layer composed of a polyester composition, including 40-99% polyester thermoplastic elastomer and 1-60% plasticizer, which provides a combination of toughness, resiliency, and a softer feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If hard ionomer resin is used for the core, then initial velocity is improved, but feel becomes harsh and spin control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The core is divided into multiple layers with different material compositions. The inner core layer uses hard ionomer resin to provide high initial velocity, while the outer core layer uses a softer thermoplastic elastomer composition to provide spin control and a softer feel. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the core have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The inner core region has high hardness and resiliency for velocity generation, while the outer core region has lower hardness for spin control. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between velocity and control.
2Strength
If hard ionomer resin is used for the core, then durability is improved, but feel becomes harsh
Solution Approach 1:
The core structure is segmented into an inner durable layer and an outer soft layer. The inner core layer maintains the hard ionomer resin for durability, while the outer core layer uses a softer thermoplastic elastomer to provide a comfortable feel, eliminating the harshness associated with entirely hard cores.
Solution Approach 2:
The core uses a composite structure combining hard ionomer resin with softer thermoplastic elastomers. This composite approach allows the durable ionomer resin to be protected by and work in conjunction with the softer material, achieving both durability and comfort simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If softer materials are used for the core, then feel is improved, but initial velocity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The core is segmented so that the inner layer uses softer thermoplastic elastomer materials to provide a comfortable feel, while the outer layer uses harder ionomer resin to generate high initial velocity. This segmentation allows softer materials to be used without sacrificing velocity performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the hardest material on the outside, the patent inverts the traditional approach by placing softer materials in the inner core region that directly contact the clubface during impact, while harder materials are positioned in the outer layer. This inversion allows the softer materials to influence feel while the harder outer layer maintains velocity.
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of a polyester composition containing a polyester thermoplastic elastomer and plasticizer are provided. The plasticizers help reduce the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the composition and various plasticizers may be used. For example, the composition may include alkyl oleate plasticizers such as ethyl oleate and octyl oleate. Polyester-ether block copolymers are particularly preferred. The golf ball includes a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer. The polyester composition may be used to form any core, cover, or other layer in the golf ball.