Golf Ball Reflective Layer via Vacuum Electroplating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional golf balls suffer from poor reflectiveness and short service life due to damage-prone reflective layers, which are not effectively enhanced by existing multilayer or particle-based designs, making it difficult to track the ball's flight and location after hitting.

Innovation Solution

A golf ball fabrication method involving a core, a thin resin film, vacuum-electroplating to form a glossy metallic film, and encapsulating it with a transparent resin layer using injection-molding technology to create a durable and reflective surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If reflective particles are embedded in the outer cover to provide reflection, then light reflective effect is improved, but structural damage to the outer cover increases and reflective particles drop off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight reflective effectVSAvoidstructural integrity of outer cover

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the reflective function from the structural function by creating a dedicated reflective layer distinct from the outer cover structure. This reflective layer is applied as a separate coating rather than embedding particles within the cover material, allowing the outer cover to maintain its structural integrity while the reflective layer provides the reflective effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediate reflective layer between the outer cover and the environment. This reflective layer acts as a mediator that provides the desired reflective effect without requiring modification of the outer cover structure, thereby preventing structural damage and particle loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If more reflective particles are distributed in the outer cover to increase light reflective effect, then reflection is improved, but the outer cover becomes more prone to crack and particles drop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight reflective effectVSAvoidcrack resistance of outer cover

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segregates the reflective function into a separate reflective layer, eliminating the need to embed reflective particles within the outer cover material. This segmentation prevents the outer cover from becoming more prone to cracking while maintaining or enhancing the reflective effect through the dedicated reflective layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Illumination intensity

If reflective particles are blended inside the outer cover during production, then reflective effect is provided, but reflective surfaces cannot parallel with ball surface and gaps are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereflective effectVSAvoidalignment of reflective surfaces with ball surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies an intermediate reflective layer on the outer surface of the ball, which can be smoothly formed to ensure its surface is parallel with the ball surface. This eliminates the alignment problems associated with embedding discrete reflective particles within the cover, as the reflective layer provides a continuous, uniform reflective surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical embedding of discrete reflective particles with a coating process that deposits a continuous reflective layer. This substitution eliminates the alignment and gap issues inherent in particle embedding, as the coating process naturally produces a uniform surface conforming to the ball's geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 method results in a golf ball with superior reflective properties and extended service life, ensuring the reflective layer remains intact and functional even after repeated hits, with optimal light reflection both vertically and non-vertically.

Implementation Method 1

vacuum-electroplating the surface of the core to form a glossy thin metallic film functioning as a reflective layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum-electroplating: Electroplating

Implementation Method 2

encapsulating the glossy thin metallic film with a transparent resin layer in an injection-molding technology to form a transparent outer layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEncapsulation: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS10315078B2Golf ball fabrication method

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 CHROMAX GOLF CO

AI summary

A golf ball fabrication method comprises Step a: providing a core; Step b: spraying a thin resin film on the surface of the core to form a conductive layer; Step c: vacuum-electroplating the surface of the core to form a glossy thin metallic film functioning as a reflective layer; and Step d: encapsulating the glossy thin metallic film with a transparent resin layer in an injection-molding technology to form a transparent outer layer of the golf ball. The method can fabricate in a simple way a golf ball having a superior reflective effect and a long service life simultaneously.