Three-Layer Golf Ball Cover with Transparent Polyamide Intermediate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current golf balls, particularly solid constructions, lack the spin and feel characteristics of wound balls while being more difficult and expensive to manufacture, and existing multi-layer balls with ionomeric and polyurethane compositions do not effectively combine the desired performance criteria.

Innovation Solution

A golf ball design featuring a core surrounded by a three-layer cover, including a non-ionomeric inner cover layer, a stiff thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurea intermediate layer, and a thermoset polyurethane or polyurea outer cover layer, with specific hardness and material compositions to optimize playing characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a solid multi-layer construction is used, then manufacturing complexity and cost are reduced compared to wound balls, but spin and feel characteristics are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidspin and feel characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The golf ball cover is divided into three distinct layers with different material compositions and hardness values. The inner cover layer (55-60 Shore D), intermediate cover layer (65-75 Shore D), and outer cover layer (55-60 Shore D) each serve specific functions to collectively achieve wound ball-like spin and feel characteristics while maintaining solid construction manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material construction using thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurea for the intermediate layer, which combines the desirable traits of both soft and hard materials. This composite approach enables the ball to exhibit complex spin characteristics and feel properties typically associated with wound balls, while avoiding their manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If ionomeric and polyurethane compositions are used in multi-layer balls, then playing characteristics are extended, but the desired performance criteria are not effectively combined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplaying characteristicsVSAvoidperformance criteria combination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Each layer is assigned specific material properties and hardness values tailored to its position and function. The intermediate cover layer uses stiff thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurea with 65-75 Shore D hardness to provide structural integrity and spin control, while the inner and outer layers use softer materials for feel and durability, creating locally optimized performance throughout the ball structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9669265B2Three-cover-layer golf ball having transparent or plasticized polyamide intermediate layer

Publication Date: 2017.06.06 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

A golf ball includes a core and a three-layer cover disposed adjacent the core. The three-layer cover includes an inner cover, an intermediate cover, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes a non-ionomeric E/Y copolymer where E is an olefin and Y is a carboxylic acid. The inner cover has a hardness of about 45 to 68 Shore D. The outer cover includes a castable thermoset polyurethane and has a hardness of about 40 to 62 Shore D. The intermediate cover layer, disposed between the inner and outer cover layers, is formed from a polyamide composition, where the polyamide composition includes a transparent polyamide having a light transmission of about 50% or greater.