Golf Ball Ultralight Aerogel Core Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf balls face challenges in achieving increased distance and improved spin control, with traditional core materials compromising between resilience and durability, and existing dimple designs optimizing aerodynamics but not fully addressing the need for enhanced flight characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design featuring an ultralightweight core made from materials like silica aerogel or Airloy, combined with a spherical outer cover comprising a plurality of divots, which reduces drag and increases lift, along with intermediate layers and a durable outer cover to enhance aerodynamics and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rubber core materials with high hardness and compressive strength are used, then resilience is improved, but durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining ultralightweight materials (aerogel, Airloy) with traditional rubber or polymeric materials in the core. This composite structure allows the ball to achieve both high resilience from the rubber component and extended durability from the protective ultralightweight layer, resolving the contradiction between resilience and durability
2Length of moving object
If ultralightweight core materials are used, then flight distance is improved, but core strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The core uses a composite structure where ultralightweight materials (aerogel with density <1 g/L or Airloy) are combined with rubber or polymeric materials. This composite approach maintains core strength necessary for durability while the ultralightweight component reduces overall ball weight to optimize flight distance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates porous ultralightweight materials such as aerogel into the core structure. These porous materials provide extreme lightness (density less than 1 gram/L) that reduces ball weight and extends flight distance, while the composite construction with rubber maintains structural integrity
3Productivity
If dimples are added to the ball surface, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface curvature modifications by adding dimples to the spherical ball surface. This aerodynamic feature creates turbulence that reduces drag and extends flight distance, while the dimple pattern is integrated into the molding process to manage manufacturing complexity
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 golf ball achieves improved distance and control by minimizing drag and maximizing lift, while maintaining resilience and durability, with the ultralightweight core and divot design contributing to a more consistent and longer flight path.
Implementation Method 1
the dimples on a golf ball create a turbulent boundary layer around the ball perimeter
Implementation Method 2
the dimples on a golf ball create a turbulent boundary layer around the ball perimeter. The turbulence ensures that the boundary layer remains attached to the surface around the ball to reduce the area of the wake
Implementation Method 3
lift refers to the upward force on the ball that is created from a difference in pressure between the top and bottom surfaces of the ball. The difference in pressure results from the air flow created by the backspin of the ball
Data Source
AI summary
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a golf ball providing improve play characteristics. The disclosed golf ball includes an outer cover comprising a plurality of divots. The disclosed golf ball further includes a central core comprising one or more lightweight materials, such as aerogel. The combination of the lightweight core and the unique divots enable the golf ball to go farther and straighter when hit by the golfer, thereby providing increased performance.