Composite Kayak Paddle Blade Layered Profile

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Solution Overview

Problem

Whitewater paddling conditions cause kayak paddles to experience severe wear and breakage, leading to potential life-threatening situations due to the high forces and friction, resulting in a shortened lifespan and risk of catastrophic failure.

Innovation Solution

The development of composite paddles with a shaft connected to blades featuring a layered cross-sectional profile, including commingled layers of thermoplastic and fiber filaments, and a layup structure with unidirectional thermoplastic fibers, which provide enhanced strength, stiffness, and resistance to impact and abrasion, reducing the risk of catastrophic failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional paddle construction is used, then the paddle is simpler and easier to manufacture, but it suffers from severe wear and breakage in whitewater conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to wear and breakageVSAvoidpaddle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining thermoplastic filaments with fiber filaments (such as glass or carbon fiber) to create a layered cross-sectional profile structure. This composite construction provides enhanced strength, stiffness, and resistance to impact and abrasion, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity by using advanced materials to achieve superior performance without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by creating a layered cross-sectional profile where different layers serve different functions. The commingled layer of thermoplastic and fiber filaments provides abrasion resistance at the surface, while the unidirectional thermoplastic fiber layer provides structural strength and stiffness. This localized optimization of material properties at different layers resolves the contradiction by targeting specific wear and failure points without requiring complex overall structural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the paddle is designed for durability, then it resists wear better, but it may become heavier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability and lifespanVSAvoidpaddle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials combining thermoplastic filaments with lightweight fiber filaments such as glass or carbon fiber. These fiber reinforcements provide high strength and durability at lower densities compared to traditional solid materials, allowing the paddle to achieve enhanced durability and resistance to wear and breakage without proportionally increasing weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies durability-enhancing materials locally where needed through the layered cross-sectional profile. The commingled layer provides abrasion resistance at the surface where wear occurs, while the unidirectional fiber layer provides structural strength. This localized application ensures durability is enhanced at critical areas without adding unnecessary weight throughout the entire paddle structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9359055B2Composite paddles
Publication Date: 2016.06.07 PELICAN INTL USA LLC
  • US9359055B2 patent drawing
  • US9359055B2 patent drawing
  • US9359055B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are composite paddles that may be used in kayaking and other sports alike. A composite paddle may include a shaft connected to one or more blades. A paddle blade may include a spine having a distal end and a proximal end to be connected to a mandrel; and a body having a layered cross-sectional profile to enclose the spine. The layered cross-sectional profile may include at least three adjacent layers of unidirectional carbon fiber or unidirectional fiberglass. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.