Golf Ball Aerodynamic Subsurfaces for Dimple Packing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf ball dimple patterns face challenges in achieving optimal aerodynamic efficiency and surface coverage while maintaining aerodynamic symmetry, limiting the development of new symmetric patterns and often resulting in less than optimal performance.
Innovation Solution
The golf ball design incorporates a core and cover with an exterior surface and one or more subsurfaces, featuring dimples solely within the subsurfaces that are offset from the exterior surface, allowing for a non-circular perimeter with a non-constant radius of curvature and specific dimple arrangements to enhance aerodynamic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional geometric dimple patterns are used, then aerodynamic symmetry is maintained, but surface coverage and aerodynamic efficiency are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The golf ball surface is divided into multiple zones with different dimple characteristics. The patent implements a first zone with initial dimples and a second zone with secondary dimples, where each zone has distinct dimple patterns, depths, or densities. This segmentation allows optimization of aerodynamic efficiency in different surface regions while maintaining overall symmetry through systematic arrangement of the zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the golf ball surface are assigned different dimple properties to optimize local aerodynamic performance. The patent specifies that the first zone and second zone have different dimple characteristics (varying in depth, size, spacing, or pattern), allowing each region to be tailored for specific aerodynamic functions while the overall distribution maintains symmetry.
2Ease of operation
If dimple patterns are optimized for aerodynamic efficiency, then flight performance improves, but aerodynamic symmetry may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric dimple arrangements within symmetric zones. Individual dimples or dimple clusters may have asymmetric shapes or orientations, but these are distributed in a systematically symmetric pattern across the golf ball surface. This allows complex asymmetric features that enhance flight performance while maintaining overall aerodynamic symmetry through their symmetric distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional dimple patterns on the surface to three-dimensional zone structures with varying depths and configurations. By introducing vertical dimensionality through zones at different depths or with different dimensional characteristics, the patent achieves enhanced aerodynamic efficiency while maintaining symmetry through systematic spatial arrangement of these multi-dimensional zones.
3Area of stationary object
If subsurfaces are introduced to increase dimple surface area, then aerodynamic efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The subsurfaces are pre-formed as integral parts of the golf ball cover during the molding process, rather than being added as separate components. The injection molding or similar manufacturing processes create the recessed subsurface zones with their dimple patterns in a single operational step, avoiding post-manufacturing assembly and reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the increased geometric complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the subsurface structure: the subsurfaces simultaneously provide increased surface area for additional dimples, create aerodynamic zones, and are integrated into the cover material. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and manufacturing steps required, offsetting the complexity introduced by the multi-level surface geometry.
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 improves aerodynamic efficiency by optimizing dimple placement and surface coverage, enhancing the golf ball's flight characteristics and performance while maintaining symmetry, as demonstrated by the specified dimple coverage and transition zone configurations.
Implementation Method 1
Skin friction is a viscous effect residing close to the surface of the ball within the boundary layer
Implementation Method 2
dimples provide a means to energize the flow field and delay the separation of flow, or reduce the wake region behind the ball
Implementation Method 3
Lift force is perpendicular to the direction of flight and is a result of air velocity differences above and below the rotating ball. This phenomenon is attributed to Magnus, who described it in 1853 after studying the aerodynamic forces on spinning spheres and cylinders
Implementation Method 4
Bernoulli's equation relates pressure and velocity where pressure is inversely proportional to the square of velocity. The velocity differential, due to faster moving air on top and slower moving air on the bottom, results in lower air pressure on top and an upward directed force on the ball
Implementation Method 5
The drag force on a ball is attributed to parasitic drag forces, which consist of pressure drag and viscous or skin friction drag
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a golf ball having an aerodynamic subsurface for packing dimples. More particularly, the invention relates to a golf ball having an exterior surface and at least a first subsurface containing at least two dimples located solely on the subsurface and lying below the exterior surface of the golf ball. A transition zone between the exterior surface and the subsurface is disclosed having an angle of transition and a top radius and a bottom radius.