Translucent Golf Ball Cover with Segmented Composite Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing golf balls with polyurethane or polyurea compositions face challenges in maintaining long-term appearance without adversely affecting performance, as they tend to chip or become damaged during play, and there is a need for a unique appearance with optimal performance characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A golf ball design featuring a translucent or transparent cover made from thermoplastic or thermoset materials, such as polyurethane, polyurea, or ionomer resins, with a core that can include multiple colors and surface patterns, and surface off-sets like dimples and projections to enhance aesthetics and playability, while maintaining a coefficient of restitution and compression within desired ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a polyurethane or polyurea cover is used to provide durability and performance, then the ball maintains optimal playability and coefficient of restitution, but the cover chips or becomes damaged during play and loses appearance quality

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidchipping and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into multiple layers: an inner layer made of polyurethane or polyurea for durability and performance, and an outer layer made of ionomer resin for protection against chipping and damage. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover combines two different materials with complementary properties: polyurethane/polyurea (providing elasticity and performance) and ionomer resin (providing toughness and damage resistance). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating the strengths of both materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a conventional opaque cover is used to protect the core, then the ball has standard appearance, but it lacks unique visual effect and aesthetic appeal

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidvisual effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover transitions from conventional opaque to transparent or translucent, fundamentally changing its optical properties. This allows the core's color and patterns to be visible through the cover, creating a unique visual effect while maintaining protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent/translucent cover acts as an intermediary that allows light to pass through, enabling the core to serve as a visual element. This mediator approach preserves protection while enhancing aesthetics through the visibility of internal structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If the cover is made transparent or translucent to create unique appearance, then visual effect is enhanced, but the cover may be more susceptible to showing damage and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransparencyVSAvoidvisibility of damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is segmented into an inner transparent/translucent layer for visual effect and an outer opaque or colored layer for protection. This segmentation allows the transparent portion to provide aesthetics while the outer layer masks damage and wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-layer composite cover combines transparent/translucent material (for visual effect) with opaque or colored material (for damage masking). This composite structure allows both transparency and damage concealment to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If multiple layers are added to the cover to improve durability and protect appearance, then strength is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidlayer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into exactly two functional layers: an inner layer for performance and an outer layer for protection. This limited segmentation provides durability enhancement without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two-layer composite structure combines materials with complementary properties, where each layer serves a specific function. This simple composite approach enhances strength while maintaining manageable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS8617004B2Golf ball with translucent cover

Publication Date: 2013.12.31 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

The present invention is directed a golf ball having at least a transparent or translucent cover and a core. The golf ball may also comprise an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover. The transparent or translucent cover may comprise a plurality of dimples on its surface as well as depressions other than dimples, such as stripes, text, or logos. Both the cover and the core may comprise an amount of dye or dyes. The cover may additionally comprise an amount of reflective particulates. The core may include a plurality of projections and/or depressions on its surface to provide more surface area for the adhesion of the cover to the core.