Oval Dimple Golf Ball Aerodynamic Isotropy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball designs fail to achieve optimal aerodynamic isotropy and air resistance reduction, particularly in oval dimple configurations where the long diameter is significantly longer than the short diameter, leading to inadequate flight distance and consistency.
Innovation Solution
The golf ball features oval dimples with a long diameter to short diameter ratio of 1.2 or less, cross-sectional areas satisfying specific relationships, and a surface coverage of at least 70%, arranged with a volume ratio of 0.85 to 1.7, and a distribution of at least 10% of oval dimples across different latitudinal ranges, ensuring balanced aerodynamic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oval dimples with a long diameter significantly longer than the short diameter are used, then the aerodynamic performance may be improved in certain directions, but the aerodynamic isotropy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the long diameter to short diameter ratio of oval dimples to be 1.2 or less, and setting the cross-sectional area relationship (DLA≥DSA) to optimize aerodynamic performance while maintaining isotropy. This quantitative parameter control resolves the contradiction between directional aerodynamic performance and overall isotropy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by arranging oval dimples with specific orientations at different latitudinal ranges (0-30°, 30-60°, 60-90°) on the golf ball surface. The dimples are positioned with their long diameters oriented differently according to latitude, creating locally optimized aerodynamic properties that collectively achieve global isotropy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the surface coverage of dimples is increased to reduce air resistance, then the aerodynamic performance improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the golf ball surface into multiple latitudinal zones (0-30°, 30-60°, 60-90°) and arranging dimples systematically within each zone. This segmented approach allows for controlled surface coverage of at least 70% while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity through standardized placement patterns.
3Stability of the object's composition
If oval dimples with specific cross-sectional area relationships are used, then the aerodynamic isotropy improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes clear quantitative parameter ranges (long diameter to short diameter ratio ≤1.2, cross-sectional area relationship DLA≥DSA, surface coverage ≥70%) that define the optimal dimple geometry. These well-defined parameters provide manufacturing targets that balance aerodynamic isotropy with achievable precision levels.
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 configuration achieves excellent aerodynamic isotropy and significantly reduces air resistance, resulting in improved flight distance and consistency, as demonstrated by simulations and flight distance measurements.
Implementation Method 1
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-191905 discloses a method intended to increase the flight distance by generating a large amount of turbulence in the air around the golf ball
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball includes oval dimples arranged on the surface thereof. Each of the oval dimples has a long diameter DL and a short diameter DS in a planar shape thereof, a relationship between the long diameter and the short diameter being defined as a following formula (1).DL≦DS×1.2 (1)Each of the oval dimples further has a cross-sectional area DLA on the first cross section of the oval dimple along the long diameter DL and a cross-sectional area DSA on the second cross section of the oval dimple along the short diameter DS, the cross-sectional area DLA being surrounded by a line connecting both ends of the first cross section of the oval dimple and the bottom surface thereof, the cross-sectional area DSA being surrounded by a line connecting both ends of the second cross section of the oval dimple and the bottom surface thereof, a relationship between the cross-sectional area DLA and the cross-sectional area DSA being defined as a following formula (2).DLA≧DSA (2)The surface coverage SR of all dimples on the surface of the golf ball is at least 70%.