Integrated Radar Marks in Golf Balls for Reliable Launch Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar tracking systems struggle to accurately obtain golf ball launch condition data, particularly in limited travel distance environments, due to challenges with radar reflective stickers such as accurate positioning, alignment, durability, and time required for placement, leading to a decrease in data quality.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball with at least one layer featuring radar detectable marks, made from electrically conductive materials like silver, conductive carbon, or graphene, applied using techniques like pad printing, ensuring every great circle path intersects the mark, with shapes and dimensions optimized for improved data collection.
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 detect launch condition data, but the stickers suffer from positioning accuracy issues, alignment problems, durability concerns, and time-consuming placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the radar reflective function directly into the golf ball structure by integrating radar reflective markers into the ball's layers during manufacturing. This merging eliminates the need for separate sticker application, thereby removing positioning, alignment, and durability issues associated with stickers while maintaining radar detectability for launch condition data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar reflective markers are pre-integrated into the golf ball layers during the manufacturing process before the ball reaches the user. This preliminary action ensures that the markers are already in the correct positions and orientations, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site sticker placement and alignment while ensuring consistent radar detectability.
2Measurement precision
If radar reflective stickers are used on the golf ball, then launch condition data can be obtained, but the stickers lack durability and require frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The radar reflective markers are merged with the golf ball's structural layers, making them an integral part of the ball rather than a separate attachable component. This integration ensures that the markers move with the ball and are protected by the ball's cover and layer structure, significantly improving durability and eliminating the need for replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The markers are made homogeneous with the ball's material structure, using materials and manufacturing processes that integrate the reflective properties into the ball itself. This homogeneity ensures that the markers withstand the same mechanical stresses and environmental conditions as the rest of the ball, maintaining reliability throughout the ball's service life.
3Measurement precision
If traditional radar reflective stickers are placed on the golf ball, then launch condition data can be collected, but the process requires significant time and effort for positioning and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The radar reflective markers are positioned and aligned during the golf ball manufacturing process, long before the ball reaches the user. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site placement and alignment operations, allowing users to immediately use the ball for data collection without preparation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball is manufactured with multiple layers, each potentially containing radar reflective markers positioned at specific orientations. This segmentation allows for optimized radar detection from multiple angles and positions, ensuring reliable data collection regardless of the ball's orientation during flight, thereby eliminating the need for careful manual alignment.
4Measurement precision
If radar reflective stickers are used, then launch condition data can be obtained, but accurate positioning and alignment of stickers is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The markers are positioned with high precision during the controlled manufacturing environment using automated positioning systems and precision tooling. This preliminary action ensures accurate positioning and alignment is achieved through manufacturing precision rather than manual placement, eliminating the challenges of field positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The markers are combined with the ball's layered structure during manufacturing, allowing precise positioning to be built into the ball's construction. This merging ensures that the markers maintain their precise positions throughout the ball's use, as they are structurally integrated rather than separately attached.
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
Enhances the quality of golf ball launch condition data collection by radar tracking systems, providing enhanced user experience and reliability in limited travel distance environments.
Implementation Method 1
Golf balls of the present invention include one or more layers which have at least one radar detectable mark disposed on a surface thereof
Data Source
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AI summary
Golf balls including one or more layers having at least one radar detectable mark disposed on the surface thereof are provided.