Adjustable Paddle Shaft With Composite Rod Against Sudden Breakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paddles with adjustable lengths are prone to instantaneous breakage, posing a risk of injury to users due to the materials used, particularly when made of lightweight metals like aluminum alloys.

Innovation Solution

The paddle design incorporates a rod made of polypropylene or glass-fibre reinforced polypropylene within a metal hollow lower shaft, allowing for adjustable length without the risk of instantaneous breakage, and includes a clamp and accessory set for secure operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If lightweight metals like aluminum or aluminum alloys are used for the hollow lower shaft and extendable upper shaft, then the paddle weight is reduced, but the paddle is prone to instantaneous breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaddle weightVSAvoidbreakage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal hollow lower shaft with a plastic rod insert. The rod is made of either polypropylene or glass-fibre reinforced polypropylene, creating a composite structure that leverages the strength and toughness of the plastic material while maintaining the structural integrity and adjustability of the metal shaft. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by providing both lightweight properties and enhanced breakage resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the paddle shaft from different materials with different properties. The hollow lower shaft is made of metal for structural strength, while the rod inserted within it is made of plastic for toughness and breakage resistance. This localized material differentiation allows each component to contribute its optimal properties to the overall system, resolving the weight versus reliability contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If a rod made of polypropylene or glass-fibre reinforced polypropylene is used instead of metal, then the toughness and breakage resistance are improved, but the strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoughness and breakage resistanceVSAvoidload-bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two different materials - metal and plastic - into a single functional component. The metal hollow lower shaft provides structural strength and rigidity, while the plastic rod provides toughness and breakage resistance. By combining these materials in a nested configuration, the patent achieves both high strength and high toughness, resolving the contradiction between load-bearing capacity and breakage resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11801927B2Paddle

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 YEH TZONG IN

AI summary

The present invention disclosed a paddle, which includes a blade and a hollow lower shaft that connects to the blade. The hollow lower shaft is capable of receiving a rod and an upper shaft capable of entering and moving within said lower shaft; with one end of the upper shaft connected to the rod and able to move simultaneously with the upper shaft within the lower shaft. Wherein, the material of the rod within the hollow lower shaft is different from that of the hollow lower shaft, and the paddle is less likely to break instantaneously.