Golf Ball Paint Layer Friction and Hardness Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball paint layers fail to sufficiently enhance spin performance while maintaining impact and abrasion resistance, and thick paint layers complicate manufacturing, affecting efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball with a paint layer made of rubber-elastic material, having specific μ and JIS-C hardness ratios, and a thin thickness to increase friction without compromising driver spin, and a cover with appropriate Shore D hardness to prevent the 'slip' phenomenon during approach shots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the paint layer is made thicker to increase friction force, then spin performance improves, but manufacturing process becomes complicated and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the paint layer by specifying a hardness ratio (JIS-C hardness of paint layer divided by μ hardness of golf ball) of at most approximately 15. This parameter control allows achieving sufficient friction force with a thinner paint layer, thereby improving spin performance without complicating the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of the cover and the paint layer with specific material properties. The paint layer material is selected to have rubber elasticity and specific hardness characteristics, creating a composite system that optimizes both friction force and manufacturing efficiency
2Force
If the paint layer is made softer to increase friction force, then spin performance improves, but impact resistance and abrasion resistance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the hardness parameters by controlling the ratio of JIS-C hardness of the paint layer to μ hardness of the golf ball to be at most approximately 15. This parameter optimization achieves sufficient softness for friction while maintaining adequate hardness for impact and abrasion resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different layers: the paint layer has softer, more elastic properties for friction, while the underlying cover maintains harder properties for protection. This local differentiation of material qualities allows simultaneous optimization of spin performance and durability
3Strength
If the μ hardness of the golf ball is increased to improve durability, then impact resistance improves, but spin performance decreases due to slip phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent balances the hardness parameters by controlling the ratio relationship between the paint layer hardness and golf ball hardness (Sp ≤ 15). This parameter balancing allows the golf ball to have high μ hardness for durability while the paint layer provides sufficient softness to prevent slip and generate spin
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where the hard golf ball core provides durability and impact resistance, while the softer paint layer surface provides friction for spin. This composite material system resolves the contradiction between hardness for durability and softness for spin generation
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
Improves spin performance by increasing friction without decreasing driver spin and maintains impact and abrasion resistance, optimizing the paint layer's thickness and material properties to achieve balanced performance.
Implementation Method 1
the paint layer being formed of a material having rubber elasticity, wherein the golf ball has a μ hardness, the paint layer has a JIS-C hardness
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; and a paint layer surrounding the outside of the cover. The paint layer is formed of a material having rubber elasticity. When the golf ball has a μ hardness and the paint layer has a JIS-C hardness, a ratio Sp of the JIS-C hardness of the paint layer with respect to the μ hardness of the golf ball is at most approximately 15. When the cover has a Shore D hardness, a ratio Sc of the Shore D hardness of the cover with respect to the μ hardness of the golf ball may be at most approximately 25.