Composite Ball Bat Ply Structure for Rolling Tamper Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a ball bat with a fiber composite barrel portion that fails or shows evidence of failure when rolled, as tampering with existing bats can enhance performance beyond approved limits, leading to an unfair advantage, and current methods like the advanced break-in test are not always effective in detecting such alterations.
Innovation Solution
The ball bat features a barrel portion constructed with multiple plies of fiber composite material, where two or more outer plies are aligned at the same angle, typically between 20 to 80 degrees, to maintain performance within limits during normal use but exhibit visible cracking during a rolling procedure, indicating tampering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the barrel portion is constructed with multiple plies of fiber composite material aligned at the same angle (20-80 degrees), then the bat maintains performance within approved limits during normal use, but the bat exhibits visible cracking during rolling procedure to indicate tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel portion is segmented into multiple plies of fiber composite material, each ply being a discrete layer that can be independently manufactured and positioned. This segmentation allows the bat to maintain structural integrity during normal use while enabling detection of tampering through visible cracking patterns when plies separate during rolling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different fiber orientations to different plies, with substantially all fibers in each ply aligned at angles between 20-80 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. This local variation in fiber orientation creates zones of controlled weakness that remain hidden during normal use but become apparent through cracking during tampering detection.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing ball bats are used without modified ply structure, then manufacturing is simpler, but they cannot provide visible evidence of rolling or tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The plies are pre-aligned at specific angles (20-80 degrees) during manufacturing to create a structure that will naturally crack and separate during rolling procedures. This preliminary positioning of fibers ensures that when tampering occurs, the damage becomes immediately visible without requiring complex detection equipment or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention relies on visual detection of cracking and separation between plies as the plies are positioned within 0.002 inches of each other. When rolling occurs, the plies separate and cracks become visible to the naked eye, providing clear visual evidence of tampering similar to color change detection methods.
3Strength
If the plies are positioned very close together (within 0.002 in), then the bat structure remains intact during normal use, but the bat fails visibly during rolling test
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies a precise parameter for ply positioning (within 0.002 inches) that balances two opposing requirements: close enough positioning to maintain structural integrity during normal use, but close enough to allow visible separation and cracking during rolling procedures. This parameter change creates the dual-function behavior needed for both performance and tampering detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball bat extending about a axis, and including a barrel portion formed of a fiber composite material. The material includes first and second plies arrangements. The first and second ply arrangements define first and second ply arrangement thicknesses, respectively. The first and second arrangements include at least one ply having first and second plurality of fibers and first and second resin, respectively. The first and second arrangements define at least one first angle and second angle with respect to the axis, respectively. Each of the at least one first angle is of the same angular polarity and each of the at least second angle is of the same angular polarity. The first angle is of opposite polarity of the second angle. The ratio of the first and second arrangement thicknesses is at least 1.5. The first arrangement is positioned over and within 0.002 in of the second arrangement.