Soft Golf Ball Coating for Spin Control and Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Golf balls with hard surfaces offer durability but lack spin control, while soft surfaces provide spin control but are prone to dirt collection and degradation in performance on driver shots.

Innovation Solution

A golf ball with a soft polyurethane outer surface coating having a hardness less than HB on the ASTM D3363 scale or less than 40 on the Sward Rocker Hardness test, which maintains driver shot performance and increases spin rate on short shots by forming a low-energy surface using hydroxyl or amine functionalized polydimethylsiloxane or fluoropolymer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hard surface coating is used on the golf ball, then durability is improved, but spin control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidspin control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the surface coating into multiple layers with different hardness characteristics. The outermost layer has a hardness of less than HB on the ASTM D3363 scale to provide spin control, while inner layers have progressively higher hardness to provide durability and structural support. This layered segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without compromising the overall ball performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a soft surface coating is used on the golf ball, then spin control is improved, but durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespin controlVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The soft outermost layer providing spin control is segmented from the harder inner layers that provide durability. The outer layer has a hardness of less than HB on the ASTM D3363 scale, while inner layers have progressively higher hardness values, creating a gradient structure that balances spin control and durability requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material structure with multiple layers of different polymers. The outermost layer uses a soft polymer for spin control, while inner layers use progressively harder polymers for durability. This composite structure combines materials with different properties to achieve both spin control and durability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If a soft surface coating is used on the golf ball, then spin control is improved, but dirt collection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespin controlVSAvoiddirt collection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the surface energy characteristics of the soft outermost layer by incorporating low surface energy materials or coatings. This surface modification maintains the softness required for spin control while creating a surface that resists dirt adhesion, effectively reducing the harmful effect of dirt collection on the soft surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS9149685B2Soft coating for a golf ball

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 FENG TAY ENTERPRISE CO LTD

AI summary

A golf ball having a soft outer surface coating having a hardness less than about HB on the ASTM D3363 scale, or less than about 40 on ASTM D2134 scale. The soft outer surface coating may contain polyurethane, a hydroxyl functional silicone material, or a hydroxyl functional fluoro material. Also, a method for making the golf ball. The golf ball having the soft outer surface coating exhibits a high spin rate over short shots essentially without degrading performance on driver shots, as compared with the performance of the uncoated golf ball.