Epoxy Golf Ball Layers for Spin and Impact Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf balls with intermediate and/or cover layers made of ionomer resins offer high durability and impact strength but compromise on feel and spin control, making them less natural and difficult to control during shots.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece golf ball design featuring an inner core and outer cover with an intermediate layer made from an epoxy composition cured with a metallic (meth)acrylate curing agent, providing a balance of hardness and softness for enhanced resiliency and spin control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ionomer resins are used for intermediate and/or cover layers, then durability and impact strength are improved, but feel and spin control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining ionomer resin with epoxy resin in the intermediate and/or cover layers. This composite structure allows the ball to achieve both high impact strength from the ionomer and improved spin control and feel from the epoxy component, resolving the contradiction between durability and operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the cover layers by incorporating epoxy resin alongside ionomer resin. This parameter change alters the material properties to achieve a balance between hardness (for durability) and softness (for spin control and feel), specifically targeting a cover hardness of 30-65 Shore D.
2Reliability
If ionomer resins are used for intermediate and/or cover layers, then durability is improved, but feel becomes less natural
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials combining ionomer resin and epoxy resin in the cover layers. The ionomer provides durability and reliability, while the epoxy component contributes to a softer, more natural feel during club contact, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition parameters by introducing epoxy resin into the ionomer-based cover structure. This modification adjusts the hardness parameter to 30-65 Shore D, creating a material that is both durable and provides a natural feel, eliminating the trade-off between reliability and operability.
3Strength
If hard ionomer cover is used, then wear resistance is improved, but compression increases making flight distance harder to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials of ionomer and epoxy resin to achieve optimal compression characteristics. The epoxy component helps modulate the compression properties while maintaining the wear resistance provided by the ionomer, resulting in a cover that provides both durability and controllable flight distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the compression parameter by modifying the cover composition to include epoxy resin alongside ionomer. This parameter change results in optimized compression values that maintain wear resistance while improving flight distance control, resolving the contradiction between strength and pressure characteristics.
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 resulting golf ball achieves a coefficient of restitution (COR) of 0.60 to 0.90 and compression of 70 to 110, offering improved durability and impact strength while maintaining a soft feel and better spin control, allowing for longer distances and precise shot placement.
Implementation Method 1
Upon this mixing step, the parts react and join together to form a cross-linked epoxy polymer having high adhesive strength
Implementation Method 2
The resulting golf ball achieves a coefficient of restitution (COR) of 0.60 to 0.90 and compression of 70 to 110
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-piece, solid golf balls containing an inner core, an intermediate layer surrounding the core, and an outer cover are provided. At least one layer is made from an epoxy composition comprising a curing agent such as zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate. The epoxy composition is produced by reacting an epoxy prepolymer with a curing agent. Preferably, the epoxy composition is used to form an intermediate and/or cover layer resulting in a golf ball having high resiliency, good impact durability, and soft feel.