Vanadium Dioxide Golf Ball Layers for UV Screening and Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Golf ball manufacturers seek to develop compositions that exhibit both high visible light transmittance and excellent ultraviolet light screening without sacrificing durability and other desirable playing characteristics.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a vanadium dioxide nano-particle composition, which includes a polymer composition with vanadium dioxide composite nano-particles, slurry, or a mixture of a polymer emulsion and the slurry, to form layers in golf balls, enhancing light screening and durability while maintaining play characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional polymer compositions are used in golf ball layers, then durability and playing characteristics are maintained, but ultraviolet light screening is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultraviolet light screeningVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates vanadium dioxide nano-particles into polymer compositions to create a composite material that provides both UV screening and maintains durability. The nano-particles are dispersed within the polymer matrix to form a composite layer that combines the protective properties of vanadium dioxide with the structural integrity of the polymer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The vanadium dioxide nano-particles are specifically incorporated into certain layers of the golf ball (such as the cover or intermediate layers) where UV protection is most needed, while maintaining the original polymer composition in other layers to preserve overall durability and playing characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If UV screening materials are added to golf ball compositions, then ultraviolet light screening improves, but visible light transmittance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultraviolet light screeningVSAvoidvisible light transmittance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of vanadium dioxide nano-particles, which change their optical properties at specific temperatures. By controlling the particle size and composition, the material can screen UV light while remaining transparent to visible light at playing temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional UV absorbing chemicals with vanadium dioxide nano-particles, which provide UV screening through their electronic band structure rather than chemical absorption, thereby maintaining optical clarity in the visible range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If vanadium dioxide nano-particles are incorporated into polymer compositions, then UV screening and visible light transmittance improve, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultraviolet light screeningVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vanadium dioxide nano-particles are pre-dispersed into the polymer composition during the formulation stage, creating a ready-to-use composite material that simplifies the manufacturing process. This preliminary incorporation avoids the need for separate nano-particle application steps during golf ball production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dispersants or surface-modified vanadium dioxide nano-particles as intermediaries to facilitate uniform distribution within the polymer matrix, reducing aggregation and simplifying the mixing and processing steps required during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 vanadium dioxide nano-particle composition provides golf balls with high visible light transmittance and effective ultraviolet light screening without compromising durability or play performance, allowing for tailored physical and chemical properties.

Implementation Method 1

compositions that exhibit both high visible light transmittance and excellent ultraviolet light screening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet light screening: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12453906B2Golf ball and method of making same

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

Golf ball comprising a layer formed from a vanadium dioxide nano-particle composition; wherein the vanadium dioxide nano-particle composition comprises a polymer composition and one of a plurality of vanadium dioxide composite nano-particles, a vanadium dioxide composite nano-particle slurry, or a mixture of a polymer emulsion and the vanadium dioxide composite nano-particle slurry. Non-limiting examples of suitable polymer compositions include latexes, lacquers, enamels, acrylics, an epoxies, polyesters, urethane acrylates, polyester acrylates, alkyds, thermoset polyurethane compositions, thermoplastic polyurethane compositions, and/or ionomer compositions. The vanadium dioxide composite nano-particle slurry may be formed from a plurality of vanadium dioxide composite nano-particles that are dispersed throughout a dispersion medium. The polymer emulsion may comprise an aqueous dispersion or an emulsion of polymer resin.