Polyamide-Ionomer Golf Ball Core for Soft Feel and Spin
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf balls with highly neutralized ethylene-based ionomer resins have a hard feel, leading to reduced control and spin, and increased manufacturing difficulties due to decreased processability.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design featuring a core with a rubber composition and an outer core layer made from a polyamide-based material, comprising 40-98% polyamide, 1-60% fatty acid amide, and 1-60% ethylene acid copolymer, with a cation source to neutralize acid groups, providing a softer and more resilient structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If highly neutralized ethylene-based ionomer resins are used in golf ball core layers, then durability and toughness are improved, but the ball develops a hard feel that reduces control and spin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining highly neutralized ethylene-based ionomer resins with polyamide resins and plasticizers to create a multi-component core layer composition. This composite approach allows the ionomer to provide durability and toughness while the polyamide and plasticizer components soften the material to improve feel, control, and spin characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition and physical properties of the core layer through controlled neutralization levels (50-100%), specific polyamide resin selections, and plasticizer additions. These parameter adjustments transform the material from excessively hard to optimally soft while maintaining structural integrity, thereby improving control and spin without sacrificing durability.
2Strength
If highly neutralized ethylene-based ionomer resins are used to improve durability, then manufacturing processability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the processability issue by creating a composite material system where highly neutralized ionomer (which is difficult to process) is combined with polyamide resins and plasticizers. The polyamide and plasticizer components act as processing aids that improve melt flow and molding characteristics, enabling manufacturers to work with highly neutralized ionomer while maintaining its durability benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses polyamide resins and plasticizers as intermediary substances that facilitate the processing of highly neutralized ionomer. These intermediaries improve the melt flow index and molding properties of the composite material, allowing the highly neutralized ionomer to be effectively incorporated into golf ball core layers without compromising manufacturing processability.
3Speed
If harder core materials are used to increase initial velocity, then flight distance is improved, but the ball feels harsher and less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials to achieve a balance between speed and comfort by combining hard ionomer resins (which provide high initial velocity and flight distance) with softer polyamide resins and plasticizers (which provide comfort and control). This composite structure allows the hard components to deliver speed while the soft components mitigate harshness, creating a harmonious performance profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs local quality by creating a core layer composition where different materials serve different functions: the ionomer provides hardness for velocity, while the polyamide and plasticizer provide softness for comfort. This spatial and functional differentiation within the core layer allows simultaneous optimization of both speed and comfort characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core of at least one layer and cover of at least one layer are provided. At least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic polyamide composition, comprising a blend of polyamide, ethylene acid copolymer ionomer, fatty acid amide, and plasticizer. A polyamide having a transparent optical nature is preferably used in the composition. A fatty acid ester such as dipropylene glycol dibenzoate and propylene carbonate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The ball may contain an inner core and surrounding outer core layer. A rubber composition is preferably used to form the inner core and the polyamide-based composition is preferably used to form the outer core layer.