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 challenges with the use of radar reflective stickers, including accurate positioning, alignment, durability, and quality of data.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball with at least one layer featuring a mark or plurality of marks made from radar detectable materials, such as electrically conductive ink, designed to improve detection and tracking by radar systems. The marks are strategically positioned and shaped to ensure every great circle path on the golf ball surface intersects the mark, enhancing data accuracy and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radar reflective stickers are placed on the golf ball surface, then radar tracking systems can obtain launch condition data, but the positioning accuracy, alignment precision, and data quality deteriorate due to manual placement challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the radar reflective function directly into the golf ball manufacturing process by incorporating radar reflective material into the ball's surface layers during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate sticker placement and achieving both high measurement precision and manufacturing precision simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The radar reflective marks are pre-positioned and integrated into the golf ball surface during the manufacturing process before the ball is used, ensuring accurate positioning and alignment without requiring manual placement at the point of use
2Reliability
If radar reflective stickers are used on the golf ball, then launch condition data can be collected, but the durability deteriorates leading to data quality decrease and frequent replacement needs
Solution Approach 1:
The radar reflective function is merged with the golf ball's structural layers, making the reflective marks an integral part of the ball that cannot separate or deteriorate independently, thereby ensuring consistent data quality throughout the ball's service life
Solution Approach 2:
The radar reflective marks are incorporated into the ball's construction during manufacturing, ensuring they are protected by the ball's cover and structural layers, which prevents deterioration and maintains reliability throughout the ball's duration of use
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual sticker placement is used on golf balls, then radar tracking can be implemented, but the time and effort required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The radar tracking capability is merged into the golf ball's manufacturing process, allowing the reflective marks to be applied automatically during ball production, which eliminates manual placement time and effort while maintaining full radar tracking system compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The radar reflective marks are pre-applied during the golf ball manufacturing process before the balls are distributed to users, converting a time-consuming manual operation into an automated manufacturing step that occurs once during production rather than repeatedly at each point of use
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 significantly improves the quality of launch condition data collected by radar tracking systems, providing enhanced accuracy and durability, thus addressing the limitations of existing radar reflective stickers.
Implementation Method 1
A golf ball with at least one layer featuring a mark or plurality of marks made from radar detectable materials... designed to improve detection and tracking by radar systems
Data Source
AI summary
Golf balls including a plurality of radar detectable marks disposed on any single layer or among two or more layers thereof are provided. When all of the radar detectable marks present on any layer of the ball are radially projected onto the outer surface of the ball, the resulting overall pattern of projected radar detectable marks includes a series of three or marks located on a 1.5 mm wide great circle band on the outer surface of the ball.