Composite Paddle Shaft Structure to Prevent Sudden 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 material differentiation within the paddle rod to prevent complete fracture during use.

Innovation Solution

The paddle features a pole made of metal and a first rod made of tougher materials like polypropylene or glass-fibre reinforced polypropylene, which moves freely within the pole, along with a second rod of metal, and an accessory set with a clamp and c-shaped clip for adjustable length, reducing the likelihood of instantaneous breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the paddle rod is made of lightweight metal (aluminium or aluminium alloys), then the paddle is lightweight and easy to handle, but the paddle is prone to instantaneous breakage during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaddle weightVSAvoidbreakage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The paddle rod combines metal pole (aluminium or aluminium alloy) with a first rod made of polypropylene or glass-fibre reinforced polypropylene. This composite structure integrates the lightweight property of metal with the high toughness and breakage resistance of plastic materials, resolving the contradiction between light weight and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The first rod is positioned specifically within the pole at the location most susceptible to breakage. This local reinforcement strategy applies the tougher material precisely where needed to prevent instantaneous breakage, while maintaining the overall lightweight structure of the metal pole.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the paddle rod uses uniform material throughout, then the manufacturing is simple, but the paddle lacks the toughness needed to prevent complete fracture during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtoughness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The paddle rod uses a composite structure with metal pole and plastic first rod, combining the manufacturing simplicity of metal forming with the high toughness of reinforced polypropylene. The first rod can be inserted into the metal pole through straightforward assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The first rod is nested within the pole, with the first rod inserted into the metal pole. This nested configuration allows both materials to be utilized effectively while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process involving separate production of components followed by assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3895978B1paddle
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 YEH TZONG IN
  • EP3895978B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3895978B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3895978B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

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.