Golf Ball Dimple Profile with Conical Top and Polynomial Bottom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf ball dimples lack control over edge angle independently from diameter and depth, limiting aerodynamic performance, and existing non-spherical dimple designs often result in sharp demarcation lines or cumbersome mathematical descriptions.
Innovation Solution
The golf ball features dimples with a top conical sidewall and a bottom portion defined by polynomial, trigonometric, hyperbolic, or exponential functions, with a saucer ratio between 0.05 and 0.75, allowing for independent control of edge angle and chord depth, and a transition ratio between 0.02 and 0.50, to create a smooth continuous profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional spherical dimples are used, then manufacturing is simple, but edge angle cannot be controlled independently from diameter and depth
Solution Approach 1:
The dimple profile is segmented into two distinct portions: a top conical sidewall portion and a bottom portion defined by a mathematical function. This segmentation allows independent control of the edge angle (determined by the conical portion) from the depth and overall shape (determined by the bottom portion), resolving the technical contradiction by enabling edge angle control without requiring complete profile redefinition.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the dimple are assigned different geometric qualities: the top portion uses a conical geometry to control edge angle characteristics, while the bottom portion uses a mathematical function to control depth and curvature. This local differentiation allows each parameter to be optimized independently for aerodynamic performance.
2Reliability
If non-spherical dimple designs are used to control edge angle, then aerodynamic performance improves, but sharp demarcation lines appear between different portions
Solution Approach 1:
The transition between the conical sidewall portion and the bottom portion is designed to be smooth and continuous, eliminating sharp demarcation lines. The conical portion transitions seamlessly into the bottom portion through carefully controlled geometry, ensuring profile continuity while maintaining the aerodynamic benefits of edge angle control.
3Reliability
If dimple coverage is increased to improve flight distance, then aerodynamic performance improves, but tiny dimples are not effective turbulence generators
Solution Approach 1:
The dimple design changes the critical parameter of edge angle through the conical sidewall portion, allowing smaller dimples to maintain effectiveness as turbulence generators. The controlled edge angle ensures proper flow separation and turbulence generation even at reduced dimple sizes, enabling increased dimple coverage without sacrificing individual dimple effectiveness.
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 enhances aerodynamic performance by optimizing dimple shape, reducing drag, and improving lift, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility and avoiding the limitations of spherical dimples.
Implementation Method 1
The dimples on the ball create a turbulent boundary layer around the ball, i.e., the air in a thin layer adjacent to the ball flows in a turbulent manner. The turbulence energizes the boundary layer and helps it stay attached further around the ball to reduce the area of the wake.
Implementation Method 2
This greatly increases the pressure behind the ball and substantially reduces the drag.
Implementation Method 3
Lift is the upward force on the ball that is created from a difference in pressure on the top of the ball to the bottom of the ball. The difference in pressure is created by a warpage in the air flow resulting from the ball's back spin.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a golf ball having dimples with a cross-sectional profile comprising a conical top portion and a non-conical bottom portion. More particularly, the profiles of the present invention are defined by three independent parameters: dimple diameter (DD), edge angle (ΦEDGE), and saucer ratio (Sr). These parameters fully define the dimple shape and allow for greater flexibility in constructing a dimple profile versus conventional spherical dimples. Further, conical dimples provide a unique dimple cross-section which is visually distinct.