Golf Ball Radar Detectable Mark Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radar tracking systems for golf balls face limitations in accurately obtaining launch condition data, particularly ball spin properties, due to the challenges associated with using radar reflective stickers, such as accurate positioning, alignment, durability, and the need for frequent replacement.

Innovation Solution

A golf ball with at least one layer featuring a mark or plurality of marks made from a radar detectable material, such as electrically conductive ink, which is designed to improve detection and tracking by radar systems. The marks can have specific shapes, dimensions, and materials to ensure optimal radar reflectivity and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If radar reflective stickers are placed on the outer surface of the golf ball, then radar tracking systems can obtain launch condition data, but accurate positioning and alignment of the stickers becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunch condition data accuracyVSAvoidsticker positioning and alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the radar reflective marking directly into the golf ball structure by forming the mark as an integral part of the cover layer or intermediate layers during the ball manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate sticker application and ensures precise positioning and alignment are built into the ball itself, resolving the contradiction between obtaining accurate launch condition data and achieving precise sticker positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If radar reflective stickers are placed on the golf ball, then radar tracking is enabled, but time and effort are required to place the stickers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunch condition data qualityVSAvoidtime required to place stickers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the radar reflective mark into the golf ball structure during the manufacturing process before the ball is completed. The mark is formed as part of the cover layer or intermediate layers during molding, eliminating the need for time-consuming sticker application steps after the ball is manufactured, thus reducing time loss while maintaining data quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If radar reflective stickers are used on the golf ball, then radar detection is possible, but the stickers lack durability and require frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunch condition data qualityVSAvoidsticker durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the radar reflective marking with the golf ball structure by forming it as an integral part of the cover layer or intermediate layers during manufacturing. This integration ensures the mark has the same durability and weather resistance as the ball itself, eliminating the need for frequent replacement while maintaining reliable radar detection and data quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If radar reflective stickers are placed on the golf ball, then launch condition data can be collected, but the quality of data decreases due to positioning challenges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection capabilityVSAvoidlaunch condition data quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the radar reflective mark within the ball structure during manufacturing, ensuring optimal positioning is built in from the start. This eliminates subsequent positioning challenges that degrade data quality, while maintaining full data collection capability and producing high-quality launch condition data consistently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 golf ball design enhances the quality of launch condition data collected by radar tracking systems, providing more accurate and reliable data with reduced need for sticker replacement, thereby improving the user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a mark, or a plurality of marks, made from a radar detectable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

electrically conductive ink comprising a base resin and an electrically conductive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250186842A1Golf ball having at least one radar detectable mark

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

Various golf ball configurations are disclosed herein that include radar reflective features. The radar reflective features can be formed as inks, resins, electrically conductive metals, polymers, carbons, or other substances that can be deposited or disposed on various portions of a golf ball. The radar reflective features can be formed from a variety of materials, as further disclosed herein. The radar reflective material or radar detectable material can be composed of a base resin including a heat distortion temperature (HDT) increasing additive and an electrically conductive material. The HDT increasing additive can be configured to render the radar detectable mark sufficiently durable to withstand high temperature formation processes and techniques required to form a golf ball layer.