Golf Ball Dimple Radial Channels Aerodynamic Drag
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf balls lack optimal aerodynamic efficiency due to limitations in dimple configuration, surface texture, and air flow patterns, which affect lift and drag forces during flight.
Innovation Solution
The golf ball features dimples with radially arranged channels and channel edges that extend from the perimeter edge to the dimple center, creating a textured surface that enhances aerodynamic performance by altering air flow patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional smooth dimple surfaces are used, then manufacturing is simple, but aerodynamic efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dimple surface incorporates channels that create a porous-like structure, allowing air to pass through and interact with the dimple interior. This textured surface configuration improves aerodynamic efficiency by generating beneficial flow patterns while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through mold-integrated channel features.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimple surface features localized channels with specific geometries (depth, width, orientation) that create varying flow characteristics across different regions of the dimple. This local variation in surface quality optimizes aerodynamic performance by controlling boundary layer behavior and flow separation patterns in specific areas.
2Productivity
If complex dimple surface textures are added, then aerodynamic performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dimple surface is segmented into multiple channels with defined geometries rather than using a continuous complex texture. This segmentation approach allows each channel to be independently optimized for aerodynamic function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through repetitive mold features.
Solution Approach 2:
The channels are designed with curved surfaces that follow the spherical geometry of the golf ball, creating smooth transitions and avoiding sharp edges. This curvature approach reduces flow separation and turbulence while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through rotational molding techniques.
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 textured dimple surface improves aerodynamic efficiency by reducing drag and enhancing lift, leading to more stable and distant golf ball flights.
Implementation Method 1
Drag is opposite to the direction of flight and orthogonal to lift. The overall drag force on a ball is pressure drag and viscous or skin friction drag.
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.
Implementation Method 4
This phenomenon is attributed to Magnus, who described it in 1853 after studying the aerodynamic forces on spinning spheres and cylinders
Implementation Method 5
The overall drag force on a ball is pressure drag and viscous or skin friction drag. The low-pressure area behind the ball is also known as the wake.
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball has a generally spherical surface and a plurality of dimples separated by a land area. At least one of the dimples has a perimeter edge connected to the land area and a dimple surface surrounded by the perimeter edge. The dimple surface has a plurality of channels and a plurality of channel edges that extend continuously from the perimeter edge to an intersection at a dimple center. The plurality of channels have at least a first type channel and a second type channel. The plurality of channel edges have a plurality of shared edges, wherein each shared edge is shared between a first type channel that is directly adjacent to a second type channel. Each shared edge extends radially from the dimple center to a terminal end and includes an intersection point therebetween. The portion of the shared edge that extends from the intersection point to the terminal end is an extension edge, and the extension edge is a portion of the perimeter edge.