Golf Ball Dimples with Prismatoid Geometry 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 flight distance increases susceptibility to wear and tear.
Innovation Solution
The golf ball features dimples with multifaceted depressions comprising two distinct geometries, including a first circular perimeter with prismatoid depressions or protrusions and a smaller concentric circular perimeter, maintaining a specific circle ratio and edge angle to optimize aerodynamic characteristics while maintaining durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the land surface is minimized to maximize aerodynamic performance, then drag is reduced and lift is increased, but the ball becomes more susceptible to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The dimple surface is segmented into multiple flat facets instead of a continuous curved surface. Each dimple comprises multiple flat surfaces meeting at edges, creating a faceted structure that maintains aerodynamic effectiveness while reducing the continuous land surface area that would otherwise be vulnerable to wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimple structure transitions from a uniform conventional design to a localized faceted geometry where specific regions (facets and edges) have enhanced aerodynamic properties. The flat facets and sharp edges create localized turbulence that improves drag reduction and lift generation while preserving durability through the faceted structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional circular dimples are used, then manufacturing is simple, but aerodynamic performance is suboptimal compared to multifaceted designs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves away from the traditional curved circular dimple profile toward a faceted, polyhedral structure. Each dimple is formed by multiple flat surfaces intersecting at edges, creating a prismatoid geometry that deviates from conventional spherical curvature while maintaining manufacturability through modern molding techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimple design adds geometric complexity by introducing multiple facets and edges in three-dimensional space, transitioning from a simple circular depression to a multifaceted prismatoid structure. This dimensional complexity enhances aerodynamic performance by creating more effective turbulence 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
This design reduces drag and enhances lift by creating a turbulent boundary layer, resulting in improved aerodynamic performance and increased durability compared to conventional golf balls.
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. Thus, the thin boundary layer is called a turbulent boundary layer
Implementation Method 3
The circumference portion of each dimple, where the dimple wall drops away from the outer surface of the ball, which actually creates the turbulence in the boundary layer
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
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to golf balls, specifically, to a golf ball with multifaceted depressions comprising two discrete geometries surrounded by a first perimeter. A second perimeter is circumscribed within the first and surrounds prismatoid depressions or protrusions. Primarily the first and second perimeters are circular and the depressions or protrusions are based on a polyhedral prismatoid having a minimum of three and a maximum of twelve edges, wherein the ratio of the first and second diameters is between 0.25 to 0.90.