Oval Dimples for Golf Ball Aerodynamic Isotropy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 to ensure excellent aerodynamic isotropy and reduced air resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If oval dimples with long diameter significantly longer than short diameter are used, then dimple coverage can be increased, but aerodynamic isotropy deteriorates and air resistance reduction becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using oval-shaped dimples instead of circular ones, with the long diameter being 1.05 to 1.2 times the short diameter. This controlled asymmetry allows increased dimple coverage area while maintaining aerodynamic isotropy through specific orientation arrangements where the long diameters of oval dimples are positioned parallel or perpendicular to the equator of the golf ball.
2Area of stationary object
If oval dimples with larger long diameter are used, then surface coverage is improved, but air resistance reduction becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses oval dimples with controlled aspect ratios (long diameter 1.05 to 1.2 times short diameter) to increase surface coverage while maintaining effective air resistance reduction. The asymmetric oval shape allows more dimples to be arranged on the ball surface, increasing overall coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies that the bottom surfaces of the oval dimples should have curved shapes (circular arc or parabolic curves) rather than flat bottoms. This curvature optimization ensures that the dimples effectively reduce air resistance by promoting beneficial turbulence patterns while maintaining the increased coverage provided by the oval shape.
3Ease of manufacture
If oval dimple arrangement does not follow specific orientations, then manufacturing is simpler, but aerodynamic isotropy becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the orientation requirement by specifying that long diameters of oval dimples should be parallel or perpendicular to the equator. This creates four possible orientations (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°), which are symmetric with respect to the ball's rotation axis, thereby maintaining aerodynamic isotropy while allowing relatively simple manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the orientation requirements for oval dimples based on their position and function. By specifying that long diameters be parallel or perpendicular to the equator, the patent creates locally optimized dimple orientations that collectively maintain global aerodynamic isotropy, balancing manufacturing simplicity with performance requirements.
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 results in superior aerodynamic isotropy and air resistance reduction, enhancing flight distance and consistency by optimizing dimple arrangement and shape on the golf ball surface.
Implementation Method 1
generate a large amount of turbulence in the air around the golf ball
Implementation Method 2
decrease the difference in the flight distances
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 and further having a depth DPL on a first cross section of the oval dimple along the long diameter DL and a depth DPS on a second cross section of the oval dimple along the short diameter DS, the depth DPL being a distance taken on the first cross section along the long diameter DL from a first line connecting both ends of the first cross section of the oval dimple to a deepest point of a dimple bottom surface, the depth DPS being a distance taken on the second cross section along the short diameter DS from a second line connecting both ends of the second cross section of the oval dimple to a deepest point of a dimple bottom surface, a relationship between the depth DPL and the depth DPS being defined as a following formula (1):DPS>DPL (1).Each of the oval dimples further having 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 the first 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 the second 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).