Icosahedral Dimple Patterns for Golf Ball Flight Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-performance golf balls exceed the maximum distance allowed by the USGA, necessitating a need to fine-tune dimple patterns and dimensions to reduce flight distance while maintaining a high-performance trajectory.
Innovation Solution
Golf balls with dimples arranged in an icosahedral pattern featuring multiple diameters and edge angles, covering less than 70% of the surface, optimized to reduce flight distance while maintaining aerodynamic consistency and appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dimple patterns with increased surface coverage are used to improve aerodynamic efficiency and distance, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but flight distance becomes excessive and exceeds USGA maximum distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying multiple dimple parameters including surface coverage (reducing to 60-70%), dimple diameter (using at least three different diameters), dimple depth, and edge angles. This optimization of parameters achieves the dual goal of maintaining high aerodynamic efficiency while reducing flight distance to comply with USGA maximum distance standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs local quality by creating non-uniform dimple patterns with at least three different dimple diameters within the same pattern. This variation in local dimple characteristics across the ball surface allows for optimized aerodynamic performance and reduced flight distance compared to uniform dimple patterns
2Length of moving object
If inefficient dimple patterns with low surface coverage are used to reduce flight distance, then flight distance is reduced, but aerodynamic efficiency and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes parameter combinations including surface coverage (60-70%), multiple dimple diameters, dimple depths, and edge angles to achieve the counterintuitive result of reduced flight distance while maintaining or improving aerodynamic consistency. This systematic parameter optimization resolves the trade-off between flight distance reduction and aerodynamic performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite dimple pattern structure combining multiple dimple types (at least three different diameters) within a unified icosahedral arrangement. This composite pattern achieves superior aerodynamic consistency compared to simple low-coverage patterns while still reducing flight distance
3Reliability
If multiple dimple sizes are used to achieve increased surface coverage and improved aerodynamics, then aerodynamic consistency is improved, but the number of different dimple diameters increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dimple pattern into at least three distinct dimple diameter categories within an icosahedral framework. This segmentation approach organizes the complexity into manageable groups while achieving superior aerodynamic consistency through the varied pattern
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 icosahedral dimple pattern effectively reduces golf ball flight distance while maintaining a high-performance trajectory by optimizing dimple sizes and edge angles, achieving improved aerodynamic consistency and surface coverage.
Implementation Method 1
Lift is defined as the aerodynamic force component acting perpendicular to the flight path. It results from a difference in pressure that is created by a distortion in the air flow that results from the back spin of the ball.
Implementation Method 2
Drag is defined as the aerodynamic force component acting parallel to the ball flight direction. As the ball travels through the air, the air surrounding the ball has different velocities and, thus, different pressures.
Data Source
AI summary
Golf balls having a dimple pattern arranged in an icosahedral layout are disclosed. The dimple pattern has 20 substantially identical dimple sections, where each dimple section is defined by a spherical triangle. The dimples in each of the 20 dimple sections have at least three different dimple diameters including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and at least one additional dimple diameter. The resulting dimple pattern has a surface coverage of about 70 percent or less. The reduced surface coverage helps to reduce the flight of the golf balls.