Golf Ball Core Hardness Gradient Using Quinhydrone
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf ball cores face challenges in achieving desirable spin, feel, and distance properties due to limitations in the use of organosulfur compounds, which are expensive and cause processing difficulties, while quinhydrone-containing rubber compositions have not been fully utilized for broad golf ball constructions.
Innovation Solution
A dual- or multi-layer golf ball core is formed using a rubber composition comprising a base rubber and quinhydrone, with a positive hardness gradient of at least 5 Shore C units between the outer and inner surfaces of the core layers, allowing for a harder outer core surface and softer inner core, enabling improved spin and feel characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If organosulfur compounds are used to increase core resilience, then golf ball distance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and processing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive organosulfur compounds with quinhydrone, a more cost-effective additive that achieves similar or superior resilience enhancement without the processing difficulties associated with organosulfur compounds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by substituting organosulfur compounds with quinhydrone in the rubber composition, thereby maintaining or improving core resilience while eliminating processing difficulties and reducing cost
2Ease of operation
If a harder outer core surface is created to reduce driver spin, then spin control is improved, but overall core compression may become too high affecting feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a hardness gradient within the core structure, where the outer surface is harder than the inner core, allowing different regions to serve different functions: driver spin control at the surface and feel maintenance in the interior
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the hardness parameter distribution through the use of quinhydrone-containing rubber composition, enabling precise control of the hardness gradient to achieve both spin control and desirable feel characteristics
3Ease of operation
If quinhydrone is used to create a hardness gradient in the core, then spin and feel properties are improved, but the applicability to various golf ball constructions needs to be broadened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by formulating a versatile quinhydrone-containing rubber composition that can be applied to multiple golf ball construction types (single-layer, dual-layer, multi-layer cores) while consistently delivering improved spin and feel properties across different designs
Data Source
AI summary
Golf balls comprising a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a dual- or multi-layer core, wherein at least one layer is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber and a quinhydrone. The core layer formed from such rubber composition has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the layer's outer surface hardness and inner surface hardness is 5 Shore C units or greater.