Plasticized Thermoplastic Golf Ball Core for Low Compression and Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low compression golf balls often suffer from low impact durability and resiliency, leading to excessive wear and cracks, despite efforts to enhance core constructions for improved performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of golf balls featuring a thermoplastic composition with a plasticized ethylene acid copolymer and a cation source to neutralize acid groups, combined with a plasticizer, which creates a positive or negative hardness gradient across the core, enhancing durability and spin control while maintaining low compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional low compression golf balls use traditional core constructions, then compression is reduced for soft feel, but impact durability and resiliency deteriorate leading to excessive wear and cracks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the core material - specifically using a thermoplastic elastomer blend with controlled ratios of hard and soft segments, and adjusting plasticizer content (5-50 phr) to achieve the desired balance between low compression (soft feel) and high impact durability (resiliency)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by creating a multi-component thermoplastic elastomer system combining hard segments (providing strength and durability) with soft segments (providing elasticity and low compression), along with plasticizers and optional fillers to achieve the dual performance of soft feel and high impact resistance
2Reliability
If core constructions are modified to improve resiliency, then Coefficient of Restitution increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies manufacturing by adjusting compositional parameters rather than introducing complex multi-layer structures - specifically optimizing the thermoplastic elastomer blend ratios and plasticizer levels to achieve high resiliency (COR ≥ 0.780) through material science rather than structural complexity
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 solution results in golf balls with improved impact durability, resiliency, and spin control, offering an optimal combination of properties including a soft feel and increased distance, as demonstrated by higher Coefficient of Restitution (COR) values and lower compression.
Implementation Method 1
a cation source to neutralize acid groups
Data Source
AI summary
Low compression multi-piece golf balls having a solid core comprising at least one layer made of a plasticized thermoplastic composition are provided. Preferably, the ball has a compression of less than 60 and more preferably less than 50. The ball includes a cover in addition to the core sub-assembly. For example, two-piece and three-piece golf balls may be made. The plasticized thermoplastic composition preferably comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. Preferably, a fatty acid ester such as butyl oleate is used as the plasticizer. In two-layered core constructions, the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers may have different hardness levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions.