Golf Ball Electronics Integration via Viscoelastic Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf balls with electronic components face limitations in providing reliable long-term data due to poor durability, impact resistance, and high production costs, which hinder their commercial demand and performance.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design featuring a hollow metal spherical core with multiple polymeric mantle and cover layers, incorporating a multi-axis gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetic sensors, along with wireless communication capabilities, to acquire and report play data, including automatic scoring and impact detection, while using materials and structures to withstand repeated impacts and support large-scale production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electronic components are integrated into the golf ball to provide play data and automatic scoring, then data acquisition capability is improved, but durability and reliability deteriorate due to impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
A viscoelastic material is placed between the electronic components and the spherical core to cushion impact forces before they reach the electronics. This material absorbs and dissipates the shock from club impacts, protecting the gyroscope, accelerometer, and other sensitive components from damage while allowing the ball to maintain its structural integrity and performance characteristics.
2Extent of automation
If space is allocated for electronics assembly in the golf ball, then data reporting functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical core serves multiple functions: it provides the traditional golf ball structural foundation, creates a housing for the electronic components, and maintains the ball's aerodynamic properties. The viscoelastic material simultaneously cushions electronics and bonds structural layers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components and simplifies the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic components (gyroscope, accelerometer, processor, memory, and communication module) are integrated into a single compact assembly housed within the spherical core. This consolidation reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps and assembly operations required, making the production process more efficient and cost-effective while maintaining full data acquisition and reporting functionality.
3Reliability
If protective materials are used to shield electronics from impact, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The viscoelastic material is selected with specific mechanical properties (modulus, damping coefficient, and hardness) that optimize its shock-absorbing performance while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing processes. By carefully controlling these material parameters, the patent achieves effective electronics protection using materials that can be readily integrated into existing golf ball manufacturing workflows, avoiding the need for expensive specialized protective structures.
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 the durability and data acquisition capabilities of electronic golf balls, enabling reliable long-term performance and cost-effective mass production, addressing the limitations of previous designs by protecting electronics from impact forces and improving data collection and reporting.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic device including a multi-axis gyroscope
Implementation Method 2
a multi-axis accelerometer
Implementation Method 3
magnetic sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball that includes a spherical core and a cover layer having an outer surface defining a plurality of dimples, wherein the spherical core has an internal cavity providing support for an electronics assembly, wherein an electronic assembly is included within the spherical core, and wherein the electronics are configured to automatically determine when a club has impacted the ball and reports such data to an external device.