Adjustable Paddle Shaft Using Composite Rods to Prevent Breakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional paddles are prone to instantaneous breakage, posing a risk of injury to users due to their design, which lacks sufficient toughness and material differentiation in the pole and extendable rod components.
Innovation Solution
The paddle features a pole made of metal and a first rod made of polypropylene or glass-fibre reinforced polypropylene, with a second rod of metal, allowing for adjustable length and incorporating a clamp and accessory set with a c-shaped clip and restriction parts to prevent sudden breakage, ensuring the first rod moves freely within the pole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the pole and extendable rod are made of lightweight metal (aluminium or aluminium alloys), then the paddle achieves light weight and good strength, but the paddle becomes prone to instantaneous breakage and lacks sufficient toughness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining metal (aluminium or aluminium alloys) for the pole with plastic (polypropylene or glass-fibre reinforced polypropylene) for the first rod. This composite construction allows the metal pole to provide strength and light weight while the plastic first rod provides toughness and resistance to instantaneous breakage, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the paddle rod from different materials with different properties. The pole is made of metal for strength and light weight, while the first rod is made of plastic for toughness. This local differentiation of material properties allows each component to optimize its function, with the plastic first rod specifically providing damage resistance at the extendable section
2Adaptability or versatility
If a clamp is used to clamp the extendable rod for length adjustment, then the paddle achieves adjustable length functionality, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism is designed to be self-servicing through a spring-loaded locking system. The spring automatically engages with grooves on the extendable rod to lock it in position, and can be released by simple manual pressure. This self-locking mechanism reduces the need for complex additional components while maintaining adjustable length functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the pole and the extendable rod. It provides a simple mechanical interface for length adjustment without requiring complex fastening systems, using a spring-loaded finger that engages with grooves to provide both locking and release functions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention disclosed a paddle, which includes a blade and a pole that connects to the blade. The pole consists of a first rod and a second rod capable of entering and moving within; with one end of the second rod connected to the first rod and able to move simultaneously. Wherein, the material of the first rod within the pole is different from that of the pole, and the paddle is less likely to break instantaneously.