Irregular Dimple Patterns for Golf Ball Aerodynamic Symmetry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball dimple patterns struggle to achieve optimal aerodynamic symmetry and surface coverage, limiting their ability to minimize drag and maximize performance due to the limited number of symmetric solid plane systems and resulting in less than optimal surface coverage and dimple arrangements.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating irregular domains based on polyhedrons, such as tetrahedrons, using midpoint to midpoint methods to pack and tessellate dimples on the golf ball surface, ensuring uniform patterns with preserved symmetry and minimizing the appearance of parting lines from the molding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional geometric shapes (circles, hexagons, triangles) or Platonic/Archimedian solids are used for dimple patterns, then aerodynamic symmetry is achieved, but surface coverage is less than optimal and dimple arrangements are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The dimple pattern is segmented into multiple irregular domains, each containing a specific number of dimples (e.g., 3, 4, or 5 dimples per domain). These domains are arranged in a tessellating pattern across the golf ball surface, allowing flexible configuration while maintaining overall symmetry. This segmentation enables optimal surface coverage without requiring complex single-pattern solutions.
2Reliability
If the number of dimples is increased to improve aerodynamic properties, then drag reduction and flight stability improve, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses repeated copies of aĉé number of irregular domain templates across the golf ball surface. Each domain type is defined once with precise dimple placements, then replicated systematically through tessellation. This copying approach ensures consistent aerodynamic properties while simplifying manufacturing, as the same domain patterns are reused throughout rather than requiring unique precision placement for each individual dimple.
3Area of stationary object
If irregular domains with non-straight segments are used to improve symmetry and coverage, then aerodynamic properties improve, but the appearance of parting lines from molding may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention deliberately uses asymmetric irregular domains with non-straight segments to create tessellating patterns that improve aerodynamic symmetry and surface coverage. The asymmetric shapes allow domains to interlock and fill the golf ball surface more efficiently, while the parting lines from molding are strategically positioned along domain boundaries where they are less visually prominent and do not disrupt the overall symmetric appearance of the dimple 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
This approach enhances the aerodynamic properties of golf balls by providing greater orders of symmetry, improved dimple distribution, and increased flexibility in arranging dimples, leading to improved flight stability and symmetry, while covering a significant portion of the ball's surface without detrimental effects on aerodynamic symmetry.
Implementation Method 1
tessellating the domains onto the surface of the golf ball
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.