Golf Ball Dimples with Rotational Protrusions for Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf balls face a trade-off between maximizing aerodynamic performance and durability, as minimizing the land surface to enhance aerodynamics increases susceptibility to wear and tear from impacts.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating rotational elements on the inner surface of dimples, fully contained within the dimple perimeter, to energize the boundary layer and improve aerodynamics without compromising the land surface's robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the land surface is minimized to enhance aerodynamic performance, then drag is reduced and lift is increased, but the ball becomes more susceptible to wear and tear from impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating protrusions with rotational elements only within specific dimple regions, leaving other areas unchanged. This localized modification optimizes aerodynamic performance in the dimple zones while preserving the durability of the overall land surface, resolving the contradiction between drag reduction and wear resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the dimple structure by adding protrusions with rotational elements as distinct features within the dimples. This segmentation allows the aerodynamic function to be enhanced through the rotational elements while the dimple structure itself maintains its protective role, addressing both aerodynamic performance and durability requirements
2Loss of energy
If the number of dimples is increased to optimize aerodynamic performance, then drag reduction and lift generation are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the aerodynamic function by adding protrusions with rotational elements within individual dimples. This allows each dimple to be independently optimized with the protrusion features, enabling consistent aerodynamic performance across many dimples without requiring extremely tight tolerances on the overall dimple pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the dimples by adding protrusions with specific rotational elements. These parameter changes enhance the aerodynamic function of each dimple, allowing for improved drag reduction and lift generation while maintaining manufacturability through well-defined geometric features
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 solution enhances aerodynamic performance by agitating the air flow over the dimples, reducing drag and increasing lift, while maintaining a robust land surface to resist premature wear and tear.
Implementation Method 1
The dimples on the golf ball cause a thin boundary layer of air adjacent to the ball's outer surface to flow in a turbulent manner. Thus, the thin boundary layer is called a turbulent boundary layer. The turbulence energizes the boundary layer and helps move the separation point further backward
Implementation Method 2
The dimples on the golf ball cause a thin boundary layer of air adjacent to the ball's outer surface to flow in a turbulent manner
Implementation Method 3
The difference between the high pressure in front of the ball and the low pressure behind the ball slows the ball down. This is the primary source of drag for golf balls. The dimples on the golf ball cause a thin boundary layer of air adjacent to the ball's outer surface to flow in a turbulent manner... resulting in a substantial reduction in drag
Implementation Method 4
Lift is an upward force on the ball that is created by a difference in pressure between the top of the ball and the bottom of the ball. This difference in pressure is created by a warp in the airflow that results from the ball's backspin
Implementation Method 5
Lift is an upward force on the ball that is created by a difference in pressure between the top of the ball and the bottom of the ball
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball includes an outer land surface and a plurality of dimples formed thereon. The dimples comprise protrusions on the inner surface of the dimple to energize or agitate the airflow over the dimpled surfaces to increase the aerodynamic performance of the golf ball. These protrusions include rotational elements arranged in various configurations and are fully contained within the dimple perimeter and do not extend beyond a chordal plane of the dimple. By improving the aerodynamic of the airflow over the dimpled surface of the golf ball, the outer land surface of the golf ball may remain robust to prevent premature wear and tear on the golf ball.