Elastomeric Polyurethane Foam Tennis Ball
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tennis balls face a trade-off between comfort and durability, with pressurized balls providing comfort but losing pressure over time, while pressureless balls maintain properties but lack comfort.
Innovation Solution
A tennis ball made from elastomeric polyurethane foam with a specific density range, covered with textile material, produced by reacting aromatic polyisocyanate and a polyol with low unsaturation, using a blowing agent, to combine the comfort of pressurized and durability of pressureless balls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pressurized balls are used, then playing comfort is improved, but pressure is lost over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the core material from pressurized rubber to elastomeric polyurethane foam with specific density ranges (250-800 kg/m³). This material parameter change enables the ball to maintain its elastic properties and playing comfort without relying on internal pressure, thereby resolving the contradiction between comfort and pressure maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material construction with an elastomeric polyurethane foam core combined with textile covering. The foam core provides the necessary elasticity and comfort, while the textile layer provides durability and maintains the classic tennis ball appearance. This composite approach allows the ball to achieve both comfort and long-term property maintenance.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If pressureless balls are used, then property maintenance is improved, but playing comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific density parameter range (250-800 kg/m³) for the polyurethane foam core, which optimizes the balance between durability and comfort. This parameter control ensures the ball maintains its properties over time while providing sufficient elasticity and comfort for play, overcoming the limitations of traditional pressureless balls.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional rubber core is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but comfort and durability trade-off exists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise density parameters (250-800 kg/m³) and chemical composition parameters for the polyurethane foam core to ensure both comfort and durability. These parameter specifications guide the manufacturing process, making it possible to produce reliable balls with consistent performance while maintaining ease of manufacture through a single-step foam formation process.
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 maintains the comfort of pressurized balls while ensuring the durability and longevity of pressureless balls, meeting International Tennis Federation standards for rebound and compression load deflection.
Implementation Method 1
by putting an aromatic polyisocyanate, a polyol comprising at least 30 % by weight of a polyol having a level of unsaturation of at most 0.03 meq/g and a blowing agent into a ball shaped mould and by allowing these ingredients to form the polyurethane foam
Implementation Method 2
by putting an aromatic polyisocyanate, a polyol comprising at least 30 % by weight of a polyol having a level of unsaturation of at most 0.03 meq/g and a blowing agent into a ball shaped mould and by allowing these ingredients to form the polyurethane foam
Data Source
AI summary
Tennis ball which comprises an elastomeric polyurethane foam having a ball shape and a density of 250-800 kg/m3, which foam is covered with a textile material.