Organically Modified Silicate Golf Ball Compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf ball manufacturers face challenges with materials that offer beneficial properties but are hindered by durability, adhesion, and processing issues, such as ionomer resins providing durability but low spin rates and polyurethane/polyurea materials offering control but with ultraviolet degradation and adhesion problems between layers.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball composition incorporating a polymer backbone with urethane, urea, or epoxy linkages linked via a coupling agent to polysiloxane, utilizing alkoxysilane and isocyanate-containing components to enhance adhesion, durability, and resistance to ultraviolet degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ionomer resins are used for golf ball cover materials, then durability and rebound are improved, but spin rate and control deteriorate due to material hardness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining ionomer resin with ceramic particles (such as alumina, silica, or zirconia) to create a hybrid cover material. The ceramic particles are dispersed within the ionomer matrix to form a composite structure that maintains the base material's durability while adding hardness and spin characteristics through the ceramic reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating surface treatments or coatings on the golf ball cover. The ceramic-containing composite layer is applied specifically to the outer surface or intermediate layers, allowing the bulk material to maintain its toughness while the surface provides enhanced spin and control characteristics.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If polyurethane or polyurea materials are used for outer cover layer, then spin rate and control are improved, but durability and adhesion between layers deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite materials by integrating ceramic particles into the polyurethane or polyurea matrix. This composite structure enhances the base material's durability and adhesion properties while preserving the spin and control characteristics provided by the polyurethane/polyurea formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediate layers containing ceramic composites as mediators between the core and outer cover. These intermediate layers improve adhesion between layers and provide a transition zone that enhances overall durability while allowing the outer polyurethane/polyurea cover to maintain its spin and control properties.
3Reliability
If ceramic materials are used to increase hardness and stiffness, then durability is improved, but shear and impact resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically distributing ceramic particles within specific regions of the golf ball cover structure. The ceramic content and particle size are varied across different layers, with higher ceramic concentrations in surface layers for hardness and durability, while intermediate layers have optimized compositions to maintain shear and impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by controlling ceramic particle size, shape, and distribution within the polymer matrix. By optimizing these parameters, the composite material achieves enhanced hardness and durability from the ceramic reinforcement while the polymer matrix maintains adequate shear and impact resistance through proper formulation and processing.
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 composition improves shear resistance, adhesion, and light stability, allowing for the use of materials that were previously limited by brittleness and processing difficulties, resulting in a golf ball with enhanced performance and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling agent including: an alkoxysilane including a terminal end including an isocyanate-reactive group; and an isocyanate-containing component, wherein the polymer backbone and polysiloxane are linked via the coupling agent
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions for golf balls that include organically modified silicates and the golf balls formed using the compositions are described. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which are based on a polyurethane and polysiloxane, polyurea and polysiloxane, and/or epoxy and polysiloxane, and, thus, have the benefits of increased COR, adhesion, and shear and impact resistance. The compositions of the invention may be used in any layer of a golf ball, e.g., an outer cover layer or inner cover layer, or may be used as a coating to be disposed over a structural outer layer of a golf ball.