Wake flow change accompanying the difference in ball panel shape

Abstract

In recent years, soccer balls of various designs have been developed, but depending on the design of the "panel" on the ball surface, there is a case that a "Knuckle ball" in which the trajectory changes irregularly during flight may occur. Knuckle ball is an element that audiences enjoy in games, but it is an obstacle in fostering players. In this research, we aim to clarify the influence of the panel on the surface of the soccer ball on " Knuckle ball" by wind tunnel experiment and to grasp the relationship between the panel shape of the ball and aerodynamic characteristics.