Golf Ball Dimple Zoning for Stable Drag Across Flight Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf balls do not effectively optimize aerodynamic performance for improved flight control and distance.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design featuring specific dimple patterns and configurations that provide targeted drag and lift coefficients across various Reynolds numbers and spin ratios, along with integrated drag areas, to enhance aerodynamic characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dimple patterns are used, then manufacturing is simple, but aerodynamic performance is not optimized for flight control and distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying dimple depth, diameter, spacing, and distribution patterns to optimize aerodynamic coefficients. Specific embodiments use dimple depths of 0.010-0.030 inches, diameters of 0.100-0.200 inches, and spacing of 0.050-0.150 inches to achieve target drag coefficients of 0.250-0.350 and lift coefficients of 0.150-0.250 across different Reynolds numbers and spin ratios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating non-uniform dimple distributions with different characteristics in various zones of the ball surface. Premium zones near the apex use shallower dimples (0.010-0.020 inches) while equatorial regions use deeper dimples (0.020-0.030 inches), and polar regions use different spacing patterns, allowing localized optimization of aerodynamic properties for different flight conditions
2Reliability
If dimple patterns are optimized for specific Reynolds numbers, then aerodynamic performance at those conditions improves, but performance across various flight conditions becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing dimple patterns that perform effectively across multiple Reynolds numbers (100,000-300,000) and spin ratios (0.05-0.15). The multi-zone configuration with varied dimple parameters creates a robust aerodynamic response that maintains consistent drag coefficients (0.250-0.350) and lift coefficients (0.150-0.250) throughout the typical golf ball flight envelope, making the pattern adaptable to different launch conditions and ball speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by creating dimple patterns that adapt their aerodynamic behavior based on flight conditions. The combination of different dimple depths, diameters, and spacing creates a dynamic boundary layer transition pattern that automatically adjusts to varying Reynolds numbers and spin rates, maintaining optimal aerodynamic performance across the full range of golf ball flight conditions without requiring condition-specific patterns
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 design achieves improved flight control and distance by optimizing aerodynamic performance, with specific dimple patterns enhancing drag and lift coefficients, resulting in a tailored flight window.
Implementation Method 1
the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.230≤CD≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 220,000 and a spin ratio of 0.070
Implementation Method 2
the lift coefficient has the following range: 0.115≤CL≤0.200 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060
Implementation Method 3
at a Reynolds number of 220,000 and a spin ratio of 0.070; the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.230≤CD≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 160,000
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball is disclosed herein that has at least one modified aerodynamic characteristic or performance trait. More specifically, the golf ball disclosed herein can include a dimple pattern having a specific drag coefficient and/or specific integrated drag area.