Golf Ball Polymer Blend for Customized Flight Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a golf ball that can be customized to suit different skill levels and preferences, as existing golf balls do not adequately balance flight performance and control characteristics, and existing manufacturing methods do not allow for the adjustment of properties and characteristics to meet individual golfer requirements.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball comprising a blend of highly neutralized acid polymers with low flexural modulus, used in various layers such as the core, mantle, and cover, with controlled proportions to achieve desired properties like high coefficient of restitution and customized performance, manufactured through methods like injection molding and dynamic phase-change compounding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single polymeric material is used in golf ball layers, then manufacturing is simple, but the ball cannot be customized to suit different skill levels and preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by blending at least two different polymeric materials (such as polyurethane and ionomeric materials) in various layers of the golf ball. This allows customization of flight performance and control characteristics to suit different skill levels while maintaining a relatively simple multi-layer manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different polymeric material blends in different layers (core, mantle, cover) of the golf ball. Each layer can be optimized with specific material compositions to provide tailored performance characteristics for different playing conditions and skill levels.
2Reliability
If tougher covers (Surlyn or polyurethane) are used to protect against damage, then durability improves, but flight performance and control characteristics become less customizable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials in the cover layer by blending different polymeric materials including Surlyn and polyurethane compounds. This allows the cover to maintain durability while enabling customization of flight performance and control characteristics through varying material ratios and compositions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the composition ratios, molecular weights, and cross-linking densities of the polymeric materials in different layers. This enables adjustment of durability, flight performance, and control characteristics to match different golfer preferences while maintaining material toughness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If blended materials are used to achieve customized properties, then adaptability to different skill levels improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with specific blending ratios of polymeric materials that can be manufactured using conventional multi-layer molding processes. The blended materials are formulated to work together in standard manufacturing equipment, maintaining ease of production while achieving customized performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning specific material blends to specific layers (core, mantle, cover), where each layer's composition is optimized for its function. This modular approach allows customization without requiring complex integrated manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball having a core layer, a mantle layer enclosing the core layer, and a cover layer enclosing the mantle layer. At least one of the layers includes a blend of at least two highly neutralized acid polymers having low flexural moduli. The relative proportion of one highly neutralized acid polymer to the other highly neutralized acid polymer is between about 10:90 and about 90:10.