Collapsible Paddle Assembly for Compact Transport and Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible paddles for nautical crafts, such as kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, become difficult to handle and transport when disassembled due to independent parts that require separate securing in a backpack.
Innovation Solution
A paddle design with telescopic segments and geometric means on the blade and segments that allow for easy assembly and disassembly, featuring a clamping mechanism to secure the segments together, facilitating handling and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a paddle blade is made large to increase propulsion efficiency, then the propulsion force is improved, but the paddle becomes more susceptible to damage from debris and requires more storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle blade is divided into multiple segments that can flex relative to each other. This segmentation allows the blade to bend and absorb impacts from debris without breaking, while still maintaining a large overall surface area for effective propulsion when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The paddle blade incorporates flexible materials and joint mechanisms that allow it to dynamically change its rigidity. The blade can be rigid during normal paddling for efficiency, but becomes more flexible when encountering debris or during storage to prevent damage.
2Power
If a paddle blade is made large to improve propulsion, then the propulsion efficiency is improved, but the paddle occupies more storage space and becomes harder to store
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented blade structure allows the paddle to be folded or collapsed into a compact form for storage, while maintaining a large surface area when deployed for effective propulsion.
3Strength
If a paddle blade is made rigid to improve structural strength, then the strength is improved, but the paddle becomes more susceptible to breakage from impacts and requires more storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle blade uses flexible materials and joint mechanisms that allow it to dynamically adjust its rigidity. The blade maintains sufficient structural strength for propulsion while being able to flex and absorb impacts from debris, preventing breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
Dividing the blade into segments with flexible connections allows each segment to move independently, absorbing impact forces without transmitting them through the entire blade structure, thus preventing breakage while maintaining overall strength.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~2
Figure 3~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to a paddle for a nautical craft, comprising a shaft (1) having at least one segment (2) extending between an inner end (2a) and an outer end (2b), a blade (4) being reversibly connected to the outer end (2b) of the segment in order to be able to form, or demount, the paddle by connection, or disconnection, of the blade (4) and of the segment, the paddle comprising geometric means (23) formed on the blade (4) and complementary geometric means (24) formed on the segment (2), the geometric means being designed to connect the segment to the paddle (4) in the demounted configuration.