Functionalized Ceramic Microspheres in Golf Ball Cores

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional additives/fillers used in rubber-based formulations for golf balls tend to agglomerate, leading to issues with dispersing throughout the composition and improving core properties like resilience without compromising durability and feel.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres, such as thiol-functionalized, vinyl-functionalized, methacrylate-functionalized, acrylate-functionalized, and epoxy-functionalized microspheres, which disperse uniformly and increase cross-link density without agglomerating, thereby enhancing the rubber composition's resilience and moisture resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional additives/fillers are used to increase cross-link density, then resilience/CoR is improved, but they agglomerate and compromise durability and feel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresilience/CoRVSAvoiddurability and feel

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the filler material by using functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres with specific surface treatments. This functionalization modifies the surface chemistry to prevent agglomeration while maintaining cross-link density enhancement capabilities, thus improving resilience without compromising durability and feel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structure by combining organic rubber matrix with inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres. This hybrid composite approach creates a synergistic effect where the inorganic microspheres provide cross-linking sites and structural integrity, while the organic matrix provides elasticity, resulting in improved resilience and maintained durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If cross-link density is increased to improve rebounding performance, then CoR value is improved, but conventional fillers agglomerate and negatively impact core properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverebounding performance/CoR valueVSAvoidcore properties uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the filler by using functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres with controlled size distribution (0.1-10 micrometers) and specific surface functional groups. These parameter changes enable uniform dispersion throughout the rubber matrix, preventing agglomeration and ensuring stable core properties while maintaining high cross-link density for improved rebounding performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The functionalized surface of the inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres acts as an intermediary between the organic rubber matrix and the inorganic filler particles. The surface functional groups (such as silane, oxide, or hydroxyl groups) provide compatibility with the rubber matrix, facilitating uniform distribution and preventing agglomeration, thus ensuring stable core properties throughout the golf ball

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 use of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres effectively increases cross-link density and reduces moisture vapor transmission rates in golf ball cores, improving resilience and maintaining durability and feel without the need for additional processing aids, resulting in enhanced performance characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres which disperse throughout the polymer matrix without agglomerating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 2

the functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres can favorably increase the cross-link density of the rubber composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCross-linking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

even reduce the normalized moisture vaper transition rate of the rubber composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11918861B2Golf ball incorporating functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres in at least one core layer

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

Golf balls of the invention include at least one core layer comprised or consisting of a homogenous rubber-based core composition with a plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres dispersed throughout without agglomerating to create a relatively higher cross-link density of the core layer material. In golf balls of the invention, cross-link density gradients may be created between core layers by pre-electing the presence/absence, amount, type, and degree of functionalization of the plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres in two given core layers to target important properties such as resilience/CoR and desired playing characteristics such as distance.