Golf Ball Rubber Elastic Paint Layer Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball coatings fail to adequately enhance spin performance while maintaining abrasion resistance and manufacturing efficiency, as they do not sufficiently increase friction with the golf club.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design featuring a rubber-elastic paint layer with specific material properties and a top coat to increase friction and abrasion resistance, optimizing spin performance by adjusting the thickness, hardness, and loss tangent of the paint and cover layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thick paint layer is formed to increase friction force and improve spin performance, then spin performance is improved, but manufacturing process becomes complicated and manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the paint layer from conventional hard coating materials to materials having rubber elasticity (Young's modulus of 70 MPa or less, Poisson's ratio of 0.45 or more). This parameter change allows the paint layer to have a thickness of 100 μm or less while still achieving sufficient friction force for improved spin performance, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and maintaining high manufacturing efficiency.
2Reliability
If the paint layer is made softer to increase friction force, then spin performance is improved, but abrasion resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure consisting of a paint layer made of materials having rubber elasticity (for friction and spin performance) and a top coat layer applied over it (for abrasion resistance). The paint layer with Young's modulus of 70 MPa or less provides the necessary friction force for spin performance, while the top coat layer protects against abrasion, thus resolving the contradiction between softness and durability.
3Strength
If a top coat is applied to improve abrasion resistance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but friction force with golf club decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coating system into two distinct functional layers: a paint layer made of materials having rubber elasticity that contacts the golf club and provides friction force for spin performance, and a top coat layer that provides abrasion resistance. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without interfering with the other, maintaining both friction force and abrasion resistance.
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 design improves spin performance during approach shots while maintaining sufficient friction and abrasion resistance, reducing driver spin and enhancing distance, with simulations showing increased spin rates during approach without compromising driver performance.
Implementation Method 1
a paint layer which surrounds the outside of the cover, the paint layer being formed of a material having rubber elasticity
Implementation Method 2
a top coat which further surrounds the outside of the paint layer
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball of the present invention includes: a core located in the center of the golf ball; a cover surrounding the outside of the core and having plural dimples on the surface thereof; a paint layer surrounding the outside of the cover; and a top coat further surrounding the outside of the paint layer. The paint layer is formed of a material having rubber elasticity. The top coat may have a thickness of at most approximately 60 μm. A material for forming the paint layer has a first loss tangent, a material for forming the cover has a second loss tangent, and a difference Td between the first loss tangent and the second loss tangent may be at least approximately 0.05.