Golf Ball Core Surface Softening for Hardness Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an improved method to create a single layer golf ball core with a soft-to-hard hardness gradient from the surface to the center, which is both inexpensive and efficient, allowing for unique combinations of compression, feel, and spin.
Innovation Solution
A method involving treating an untreated golf ball core with a surface-softening material comprising fatty acids or fatty acid salts to reduce the surface hardness, creating a negative hardness gradient, and forming a cover layer around the core.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional hard surface to soft center hardness gradient is used in golf ball cores, then the core provides good resilience and durability, but it lacks the unique combination of compression, feel, and spin that a soft-to-hard gradient would provide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional hardness gradient by creating a soft surface layer and hard center core. This is achieved by treating the outer surface of the core with a softening agent (such as ozone, plasma, or chemical treatments) after the core has been manufactured with a hard center. The inversion allows the ball to provide both the durability of a hard center and the enhanced feel and spin control of a soft surface, resolving the technical contradiction between performance versatility and manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a distinct soft layer only on the outer surface of the core, while maintaining the hard center properties. This localized treatment allows different regions of the core to have different hardness properties optimized for their specific functions: the hard center provides resilience and distance, while the soft outer layer provides feel and spin control. This resolves the contradiction by providing enhanced performance characteristics without requiring a complete redesign of the entire core structure.
2Strength
If a soft skin is created by exposing the preform slug to steam during molding, then the surface hardness is reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the surface softening treatment as an integrated step within the existing molding process, rather than as a separate post-processing step. The softening agent is applied to the core surface immediately after molding while the core is still hot and pliable, allowing the soft layer to form during the cooling process. This eliminates the need for separate steam exposure steps or post-molding treatments, thereby reducing manufacturing time while achieving the desired surface hardness reduction.
3Strength
If multiple elastomers are mixed and molded concurrently to create a soft-to-hard gradient, then the desired hardness profile is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes extremely time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the core into two distinct functional zones: a hard center core manufactured using conventional high-speed molding processes, and a soft outer layer applied subsequently through surface treatment. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently for its specific function while using efficient manufacturing methods appropriate for each layer. The hard center is molded quickly with standard processes, while the soft layer is applied through rapid surface treatment techniques, collectively achieving the desired hardness gradient without the extreme time consumption of concurrent multi-e elastomer molding.
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 allows for the production of golf balls with a soft outer surface and a harder center, enhancing the golf ball's performance by providing a unique combination of compression, feel, and spin, while being cost-effective and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
treating the untreated outer surface of the untreated golf ball core with a surface-softening material comprising at least one fatty acid or fatty acid salt composition to form a golf ball core comprising a treated outer surface having a hardness less than the hardness of the untreated outer surface
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core has a geometric center having a hardness (Hg) and the core has an outer surface that is treated with a surface-softening material comprising at least one fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt plasticizer composition such that the outer surface has an extrapolated hardness (HE) and an actual hardness (HOS) wherein HE is derived from a five point extrapolation within three quarters of an outer core diameter and HOS is measured on the curved surface of the core, and the cover has a hardness (HC), wherein HC>HE>Hg>HOS.