Golf Ball Dimple Arrangement Using Great and Small Circles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for arranging dimples on golf balls using great circles limit the dimple area ratio, leading to reduced lift force and increased manufacturing costs due to restricted dimple size variation and symmetry constraints, resulting in a poor aesthetic appearance and deteriorated flying performance.
Innovation Solution
The surface of a golf ball is divided using combined line segments of great circles and small circles with different positions, forming spherical polygons such as near-pole spherical regular pentagons, near-equator spherical pentagons, and spherical isosceles triangles, allowing for a higher dimple area ratio and reduced land surface area, while maintaining symmetry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dimples are arranged symmetrically on spherical regular polygons formed by great circles, then manufacturing precision and symmetry are improved, but dimple area ratio is limited and land surface area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical surface is segmented into multiple zones using both great circles and small circles, creating a more granular division that allows better utilization of available surface area for dimples while maintaining symmetry requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces small circles (a different dimensional approach compared to traditional great circle-only division) to create additional division lines that enable more efficient packing of dimples, increasing the dimple area ratio without compromising symmetry
2Device complexity
If dimple sizes are restricted to two to six kinds with similar diametric sizes, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but dimple area ratio is limited and aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different zones of the spherical surface are assigned different dimple size specifications, allowing optimization of dimple area ratio in each zone while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility through zonal management rather than uniform constraints
3Area of stationary object
If dimples are freely arranged to overlap, then dimple area ratio increases, but symmetry is damaged and flying characteristics change
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical surface is pre-divided into specific polygonal zones using great and small circles before dimple placement, establishing a framework that guides dimple arrangement to achieve both high area ratio and symmetry through predetermined zone boundaries
4Stability of the object's composition
If golf ball surface is divided using only great circles, then symmetry conforming to regulations is achieved, but dimple area ratio is limited and flying performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges traditional great circle division with small circle division to create a hybrid segmentation system that maintains the symmetry benefits of great circles while adding the area-efficient characteristics of small circles, achieving both regulatory compliance and improved performance
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 approach increases the dimple area ratio by 2-4%, improves dimple arrangement symmetry, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances the golf ball's flight distance and aesthetic appeal by allowing for a smaller land surface area and varied dimple sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a backspin of the golf ball is generated by a loft angle of the golf club. In this state, air is accumulated under the golf ball due to the dimples formed on a surface of the golf ball, thereby increasing the pressure. In contrast, a flow of air in an upper side of the golf ball is faster and thus pressure is decreased. Accordingly, the golf ball gradually flies higher according to the Bernoulli's principle
Data Source
AI summary
A surface of a sphere is divided by using not only great circles but also small circles, forming a spherical polyhedron. The spherical polyhedron includes two spherical regular pentagons, each having a center at the pole, ten spherical isosceles triangles near the pole, ten spherical pentagons near the equator, and ten other spherical isosceles triangles near the equator. Compared to a related art, dimples are accurately arranged in spherical polygons. Thus, a dimple area ratio is improved and the number of dimples is appropriately maintained.