Golf Ball Dimple Plan Shapes for Aerodynamic Packing Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing golf ball designs focus little on the plan shape of dimples, which affects aerodynamic behavior and limits surface coverage uniformity and packing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of non-circular dimple plan shapes defined by low frequency periodic functions, such as sine, sawtooth, or square wave functions, along a simple closed path, to enhance dimple packing efficiency and aerodynamic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If circular dimple plan shapes are used, then manufacturing is simple, but surface coverage uniformity and packing efficiency are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimple geometry controlVSAvoidsurface coverage uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from traditional circular dimple shapes to non-circular plan shapes defined by periodic functions. This asymmetric design allows for optimized surface coverage and packing efficiency while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through defined mathematical boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by using periodic functions with adjustable parameters (amplitude, frequency, phase) to define dimple boundaries. This enables precise control over dimple geometry, size, and distribution, optimizing surface coverage uniformity and packing efficiency across the golf ball surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional dimple geometries are used, then aerodynamic characteristics are maintained, but control over dimple geometry is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic characteristicsVSAvoiddimple geometry control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by defining dimple boundaries through periodic functions with adjustable parameters. This provides versatile control over dimple geometry while maintaining the turbulent boundary layer effects necessary for reliable aerodynamic performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the golf ball surface into distinct dimple regions defined by periodic function boundaries. This segmentation allows independent optimization of different dimple zones while maintaining overall aerodynamic consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If non-circular dimple plan shapes are used, then packing efficiency is enhanced, but design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacking efficiencyVSAvoiddimple plan shape definition

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by defining complex non-circular dimple shapes through periodic functions with controlled parameters. This mathematical approach simplifies the design process compared to freeform geometry while achieving enhanced packing efficiency and surface coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12527994B2Golf ball dimple plan shape defined by Clausen function

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the selection of the plan shapes of the dimples thereon. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by a Clausen function of order 2 mapped along a simple closed path. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for designing dimples having a plan shape defined by a Clausen function of order 2 mapped along a simple closed path.