Golf Ball Dimple Depth Variation for Symmetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf balls with numerous dimples face challenges in achieving symmetry performance due to variations in roundness when hit from different angles, leading to inconsistent flight performance, and existing solutions to enhance symmetry often result in lower work efficiency during manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
The golf ball design features dimples at the equator formed to greater depths and volumes compared to other regions, with some or all dimples near the poles formed shallower or with smaller volumes, using a mold with hemispherical cavities to maintain symmetry and efficiency in production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dimples are arranged on the seam line to enhance aerodynamic performance, then the dimple density is improved, but the roundness of the ball about the equatorial axis deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making dimples at the equatorial region (seam line) deeper than dimples at the polar region. This creates different dimple characteristics in different zones: the equatorial dimples provide enhanced aerodynamic performance while the shallower polar dimples help maintain roundness about the equatorial axis, resolving the contradiction between density and shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in dimple depth across different regions of the ball. By making equatorial dimples deeper than polar dimples, the design compensates for the inherent lack of roundness at the seam line while maintaining overall symmetry in flight performance. This asymmetric depth distribution balances the aerodynamic benefits with geometric requirements.
2Reliability
If dimples at the equatorial region are made deeper to enhance symmetry performance, then the flight performance consistency is improved, but the manufacturing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making dimples at the equatorial region (seam line) deeper than dimples at the polar region. This creates different dimple characteristics in different zones: the equatorial dimples provide enhanced aerodynamic performance while the shallower polar dimples help maintain roundness about the equatorial axis, resolving the contradiction between density and shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the depth parameter of dimples based on their location on the ball. By varying dimple depth from the equatorial region (deeper) to the polar region (shallower), the design optimizes both flight performance consistency and manufacturability. This parameter variation allows standard molding processes to produce the desired symmetry without excessive complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ball is molded with axial symmetry to simplify manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the roundness about the equatorial axis deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making dimples at the equatorial region (seam line) deeper than dimples at the polar region. This creates different dimple characteristics in different zones: the equatorial dimples provide enhanced aerodynamic performance while the shallower polar dimples help maintain roundness about the equatorial axis, resolving the contradiction between density and shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates the roundness compensation into the mold design itself, with the equatorial dimple-forming projections extending further than polar projections. This preliminary action during molding ensures that the ball achieves both manufacturing simplicity and the required roundness about the equatorial axis without requiring post-processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a golf ball that is molded using a golf ball mold composed of a pair of mold halves, each having a hemispherical cavity, which when separably mated form an interior spherical cavity, the golf ball comprising a surface that includes an equator located at a place which corresponds to the parting line of the mold and a pole located at each of two vertices on either side of the equator, wherein the ball has on the surface thereof one or more dimple that lies across the equator and additionally has, at and near the poles, dimples some or all of which are formed to either a shallower depth or a smaller volume than dimples of the same diameter in other regions. The invention enables golf balls having numerous dimples formed thereon to be efficiently produced with a split mold. The golf balls thus obtained have a high symmetry performance.