Tetrahedral Golf Ball Dimple Pattern for Reduced Flight Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf ball manufacturers face challenges in creating dimple patterns that reduce flight distance while maintaining high aerodynamic performance and visual appeal, as existing dimple patterns either fail to adhere to USGA distance limits or compromise aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball with a tetrahedral dimple pattern featuring four identical sections, each containing dimples with three distinct diameters and high diameter disparities, arranged to ensure no dimple-free great circles, enhancing drag and lift forces for reduced flight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If dimple patterns with low surface coverages are used, then the flight distance is reduced, but the aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates
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 (minimum, maximum, and additional diameters). This creates localized variations in surface coverage that optimize both drag and lift forces, allowing the ball to achieve reduced flight distance while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency. The non-uniform dimple distribution across different areas enables simultaneous optimization of flight characteristics that would be impossible with uniform patterns.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform dimple patterns are used, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the aerodynamic performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the golf ball surface into four identical tetrahedral sections, each containing a specific arrangement of dimples with three distinct diameters. This segmentation allows for systematic design and manufacturing of complex dimple patterns while maintaining symmetry that simplifies the manufacturing process. The tetrahedral symmetry means that once one section is designed and manufactured, the other three sections can be replicated, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to asymmetric patterns with multiple dimple sizes.
3Area of stationary object
If high dimple count patterns with small dimples are used, then the surface coverage is increased, but the visual appeal deteriorates and aerodynamic performance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically distributing different dimple sizes across the surface rather than using uniform small dimples throughout. Each tetrahedral section contains a mix of minimum, maximum, and additional diameter dimples, creating visual variety and aesthetic appeal while maintaining optimal surface coverage for aerodynamic performance. The presence of larger dimples in specific locations provides visual interest and maintains the ball's appearance, preventing the monotonous look that would result from uniform small dimple patterns.
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 a symbiotic reduction in flight distance while maintaining a high-performance trajectory and improved aerodynamic consistency, with a visually appealing design.
Implementation Method 1
the top of the ball moves with the air flow, which delays the separation to a point further aft. Conversely, the bottom of the ball moves against the air flow, moving the separation point forward. This asymmetrical separation creates an arch in the flow pattern
Implementation Method 2
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
Implementation Method 3
The air separates from the surface of the ball, leaving a large turbulent flow area with low pressure, i.e., the wake. The difference between the high pressure in front of the ball and the low pressure behind the ball reduces the ball speed and acts as the primary source of drag
Data Source
AI summary
Golf balls having a low surface coverage dimple pattern arranged in a tetrahedral layout are disclosed. The dimple pattern has four substantially identical dimple sections. The dimples in each of the four dimple sections have at least three different dimple diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and an additional (third) dimple diameter, where the additional dimple diameter substantially contributes to the overall surface coverage of the dimple pattern. The resulting dimple pattern has a low dimple surface coverage and high diameter disparities among the dimples, which helps to reduce the flight of the golf ball while providing improved aerodynamic consistency.