Tetrahedral Golf Ball Dimple Patterns for Reduced Flight Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf ball manufacturers face challenges in designing dimple patterns that reduce flight distance while maintaining high aerodynamic consistency and visual appeal, as existing high-performance balls exceed USGA distance limits and inefficient dimple patterns can impact appearance and performance.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball with a tetrahedral dimple pattern featuring four identical spherical triangle sections, varying dimple diameters, and low surface coverage, ensuring no dimple-free great circles, which generates higher drag and lift forces to reduce flight distance while maintaining a high-performance trajectory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-performance dimple patterns with increased surface coverage are used, then aerodynamic efficiency and distance are improved, but the golf ball will exceed the USGA maximum distance limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different dimple diameters in different regions of the golf ball surface. Specifically, it employs a tetrahedral pattern with four identical sections, where each section contains dimples of varying sizes (at least two different dimple diameters with a difference of at least 0.050 inches). This local variation in dimple properties allows optimization of aerodynamic forces in different areas to reduce overall flight distance while maintaining performance trajectory.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the dimple pattern by implementing low surface coverage (75 percent or less) combined with high dimple diameter disparity. The dimple pattern includes at least two different dimple diameters, with the difference between maximum and minimum diameters being at least 0.050 inches. This parameter change creates a unique aerodynamic characteristic that reduces flight distance while maintaining aerodynamic consistency.
2Length of moving object
If inefficient dimple patterns with low surface coverage are used, then flight distance is reduced, but aerodynamic consistency and visual appeal are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the golf ball surface into four identical tetrahedral sections, each containing a specific arrangement of dimples. This segmentation allows for systematic optimization of aerodynamic forces while maintaining visual appeal through symmetry. Each section can be independently designed and manufactured, ensuring consistent aerodynamic performance across the entire ball surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry in the sense of dimensional variation rather than pattern variation. While the overall tetrahedral pattern maintains symmetry for visual appeal, the dimples themselves exhibit asymmetry in their dimensions (at least two different diameters with a difference of at least 0.050 inches). This dimensional asymmetry within the symmetric pattern creates the desired aerodynamic characteristics for reduced flight distance while preserving aesthetic appeal.
3Area of stationary object
If small dimples are added to low surface coverage patterns, then surface coverage is increased, but the dimples do not contribute significantly to aerodynamic performance and may adversely impact performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using a limited number of dimple sizes (at least two different diameters) rather than incorporating many different sized dimples. The dimple pattern maintains low surface coverage (75 percent or less) while using dimensional variation to achieve the desired aerodynamic effect. This partial approach avoids the negative effects of excessive small dimples that would increase surface coverage without providing meaningful aerodynamic benefit.
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
The dimple pattern achieves reduced flight distance while preserving aerodynamic consistency and visual appeal by combining high dimple diameter disparity with low surface coverage, enhancing drag and lift forces.
Implementation Method 1
Lift is defined as the aerodynamic force component acting perpendicular to the flight path. It results from a difference in pressure that is created by a distortion in the air flow that results from the back spin of the ball.
Implementation Method 2
Drag is defined as the aerodynamic force component acting parallel to the ball flight direction. The air exerts maximum pressure at the stagnation point on the front of the ball. The air then flows over the sides of the ball and has increased velocity and reduced pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
Golf balls having a dimple pattern arranged in a tetrahedral layout are disclosed. The dimple pattern has four substantially identical dimple sections, where each dimple section is defined by a spherical triangle. The dimples in each of the four dimple sections have at least two different dimple diameters including a minimum dimple diameter and a maximum dimple diameter. The resulting dimple pattern has a low dimple surface coverage and high dimple diameter disparity which helps to reduce the flight of the golf ball while providing improved aerodynamic consistency.