Golf Ball Dimples With Raised Region And Ring Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball dimple designs are limited in their ability to maximize the distance traveled by the ball, as they do not effectively optimize aerodynamic performance in both high-speed and low-speed regions of the ball's trajectory.
Innovation Solution
The golf ball features dimples with a circular outer edge and a raised region inside, having a circular edge and a ring-like wall with a curved cross-sectional shape, where the raised region's top face is flat and its height is at most 60% of the dimple depth, optimizing aerodynamic performance in both high-speed and low-speed regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional dimple designs are used, then the aerodynamic performance is adequate, but the distance traveled by the ball cannot be further increased
Solution Approach 1:
The dimple is segmented into multiple functional regions: an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion, and a bottom portion. Each segment serves a specific aerodynamic function - the inner wall controls airflow attachment in the high-speed region, the outer wall manages separation, and the bottom portion maintains lift in the low-speed region. This segmentation allows optimization of each region independently to maximize distance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the dimple are given different geometric properties tailored to local aerodynamic requirements. The inner wall has a specific curvature radius ratio (0.05-0.2 times dimple diameter) for high-speed flow control, while the outer wall and bottom have different curvature characteristics for low-speed lift maintenance. This local optimization of geometric quality enables simultaneous performance in both high-speed and low-speed regions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If dimples are designed for high-speed region performance, then air resistance is reduced, but lift maintenance in low-speed region deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dimple geometry is designed to dynamically adapt to different flight phases. During the high-speed region (just after impact), the inner wall configuration promotes turbulent flow that reduces pressure drag. As the ball enters the low-speed region (after apex), the bottom portion and outer wall configuration maintains favorable pressure gradients that sustain lift. The single dimple structure thus provides dynamically appropriate aerodynamic responses throughout the trajectory.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to dimple design by creating asymmetric depth variations within the dimple structure. The inner wall, outer wall, and bottom portion create a three-dimensional flow control architecture that goes beyond traditional shallow dimple designs. This dimensional complexity enables independent optimization of drag reduction (via inner wall turbulence promotion) and lift maintenance (via bottom portion pressure management).
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
This design reduces air resistance in the high-speed region and maintains lift in the low-speed region, resulting in an increased distance traveled by the golf ball.
Implementation Method 1
when numerous dimples are formed on the surface of the ball, the stream of air at the surface of the ball during flight changes from laminar flow to turbulent flow, causing the airflow separation point to retreat and lowering the air resistance
Implementation Method 2
The thin layer of air that flows close to the surface of a golf ball in flight after being hit is called the boundary layer
Implementation Method 3
increasing the lift is known to be a major factor in lengthening the flight time of the ball and thus extending its distance of travel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a golf ball having a surface on which are formed a plurality of dimples having a circular outer edge that defines the dimple contour. Each dimple has formed therein, near a portion inside the dimple, a raised region with a circular edge, and also has formed therein, between the circular edge of the raised region and the circular outer edge of the dimple, a ring-like wall having a curved cross-sectional shape. The raised region has a top face which is substantially flat, and a height which is at most 60% of the dimple depth from the circular outer edge to the deepest position on the ring-like wall. In this golf ball, the distance of travel can be increased due to an air resistance-decreasing effect and a lift-maintaining effect.