Radar-Detectable Golf Ball Marking for Accurate Launch Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radar tracking systems struggle to accurately obtain launch condition data, particularly in limited 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 one or more radar detectable marks formed from electrically conductive ink, applied to various surfaces, ensuring every 0.025 inch wide great circle path intersects the mark, providing improved data collection and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If radar reflective stickers are placed on the golf ball surface, then radar tracking systems can obtain launch condition data, but the stickers suffer from positioning accuracy issues, alignment problems, durability concerns, and time-consuming placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunch condition data qualityVSAvoidsticker placement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the radar reflective function directly into the golf ball by integrating radar detectable material into the ball's layered structure during manufacturing. This eliminates the separate sticker component and its associated placement complexity, while maintaining the radar detection capability for launch condition data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The radar detectable material is incorporated into the golf ball structure during the manufacturing process before the ball is used. This preliminary integration ensures proper positioning and alignment are built-in from the start, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing sticker application and ensuring consistent performance from first use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If radar reflective stickers are used on the golf ball, then launch condition data can be collected, but the stickers lack durability and require replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection reliabilityVSAvoidsticker durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the radar reflective material with the golf ball's structural layers, the patent creates a permanent, integrated solution that cannot detach or deteriorate separately from the ball itself. This ensures the radar detection capability lasts for the entire service life of the golf ball, eliminating durability issues associated with separate stickers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by incorporating radar detectable material (such as electrically conductive ink or metallic particles) into the golf ball's layered structure. This composite approach provides both the structural integrity of the golf ball and the radar detection functionality, ensuring long-term reliability and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If stickers are placed on the golf ball for radar detection, then launch condition data can be obtained, but significant time and effort are required for sticker placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunch condition data qualityVSAvoidsticker placement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The radar detectable material is integrated into the golf ball during manufacturing before the ball reaches the consumer. This preliminary action eliminates the time-consuming sticker placement step that would otherwise be required at the facility, allowing for immediate use and reducing operational time losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The golf ball with integrated radar detectable material is self-sufficient and requires no additional preparation or attachment by the user. The ball comes ready-to-use with the detection capability built-in, eliminating the need for external sticker application processes and reducing manual effort and time requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 launch condition data collection by radar tracking systems, offering improved accuracy and reliability in limited travel distance environments.

Implementation Method 1

A golf ball having at least one layer with a mark, or a plurality of marks, disposed on a surface thereof. The mark has a continuous shape and is formed from a radar detectable material.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar reflection: Radar