Golf Ball Core Alignment Aid via Integral Color Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball alignment features require additional printing steps, which are time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
An alignment aid is integrated into the golf ball core, formed by a central spherical segment with a different color characteristic than the spherical cap portions, allowing for visibility through a transparent cover without the need for external printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alignment indicators are printed onto the outer surface of the golf ball, then the alignment aid is visible and functional, but the manufacturing process becomes time-consuming and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment aid is merged with the golf ball core by forming it as an integral part of the core structure during the core manufacturing process. This eliminates the separate printing step that would otherwise be required to apply alignment indicators to the ball surface, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining alignment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment aid is formed preliminarily as part of the core structure before the cover is applied to the ball. By incorporating the alignment feature during core formation rather than as a post-assembly step, the manufacturing process is streamlined and time-consuming surface printing operations are eliminated.
2Ease of manufacture
If alignment features are printed on the golf ball surface, then the alignment aid can be applied, but additional printing steps and resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment aid manufacturing is merged with the core manufacturing process. The alignment feature is formed as an integral part of the core structure using the same molding or formation processes that create the core itself, eliminating the need for separate printing equipment, materials, and operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The core structure itself provides the alignment aid functionality through its own geometric features or embedded elements. The core serves dual purposes: providing structural support and containing the alignment indication feature, thereby eliminating the need for external printing processes.
3Reliability
If a transparent cover is used to encase the core, then the alignment aid remains visible, but the cover material selection becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with localized transparency characteristics specifically in the regions where alignment aid visibility is required. This allows the majority of the cover to be made from materials optimized for other properties (durability, elasticity, weather resistance) while maintaining transparency only where needed for alignment visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover material selection is expanded by utilizing materials with varying degrees of transparency and color properties. Clear or translucent cover materials allow visibility of the alignment aid, while colored or patterned covers can be used in non-critical areas, providing design flexibility without compromising alignment functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball and a method of forming a golf ball is disclosed herein. The golf ball includes an alignment aid or feature that is integrally formed with a core body of the golf ball. A cover is provided that allows the alignment aid to be visible from an exterior of the golf ball. The alignment aid can be formed as central spherical segment that fuses two spherical cap portions with each other to form the core body. Different material selections can be made for the spherical cap portions and the central spherical segment that can further provide variation in performance characteristics of the golf ball.