Composite Fiber Sheet Structure for Tougher Watch Straps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon fiber watch straps have limitations such as single color, poor pressure resistance, and susceptibility to breakage during lateral stretching, which affect user experience and safety.
Innovation Solution
A composite sheet comprising outer fiber reinforcement layers and intermediate structural support layers, made from materials like aramid and carbon fibers, with varying colors and weaving patterns, and stacked to enhance toughness and tensile strength using thermoplastic/thermosetting resins for bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If carbon fiber materials are used for watch straps, then light weight and high strength are achieved, but color variety and weave complexity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining carbon fiber layers with aramid fiber layers to create a multi-layer composite sheet. The carbon fiber layers provide structural strength and stiffness, while the aramid fiber layers contribute to color variety and weave complexity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing both high strength and color versatility through material combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the watch strap into multiple functional layers: carbon fiber layers for structural support and aramid fiber layers for color and surface properties. Each layer is optimized for its specific function, with carbon fiber providing tensile strength and aramid providing color variety and surface toughness. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each layer's properties.
2Weight of moving object
If carbon fiber materials are used for watch straps, then light weight is achieved, but pressure resistance and surface durability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials where aramid fiber layers are positioned between carbon fiber layers to provide a protective barrier. The aramid layers have higher surface toughness and pressure resistance, protecting the carbon fiber layers from impact and surface damage. This maintains the light weight advantage while adding surface durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The aramid fiber layers act as a protective cushioning layer that absorbs impact energy before it reaches the carbon fiber layers. This beforehand cushioning prevents surface breakage and protects the structural carbon fiber layers from damage during normal wear and accidental impacts.
3Strength
If carbon fiber materials are used for watch straps, then high strength is achieved, but resistance to lateral stretching and breakage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where carbon fiber layers and aramid fiber layers work synergistically. The carbon fiber provides high tensile strength in the primary load direction, while the aramid fiber layers provide complementary strength and flexibility in lateral directions. This composite approach enhances resistance to lateral stretching and overall breakage resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different fiber materials with different local qualities to different layers of the composite sheet. Carbon fiber layers are optimized for high strength in specific directions, while aramid fiber layers provide local quality improvements in surface toughness and lateral flexibility. This local quality differentiation enhances overall reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If single-layer carbon fiber structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but functional versatility and performance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the structure into multiple layers with distinct functions, but maintains manufacturing simplicity by using a lamination process that can be automated. Each layer is manufactured separately with optimized properties, then bonded together using resin impregnation and pressing. This segmentation enables functional versatility while keeping the manufacturing process manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials that can be manufactured through established lamination techniques. The multi-layer composite structure achieves functional versatility by combining different fiber types, while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple by using standard composite manufacturing methods like resin impregnation and hot pressing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composite sheet offers improved color variety, enhanced toughness, and increased tensile strength, addressing the limitations of conventional carbon fiber straps by allowing complex patterns and better resistance to wear and tear.
Implementation Method 1
two adjacent layers may be glued together by a thermoplastic resins coating or a thermosetting resins coating
Data Source
AI summary
A composite sheet is provided. The composite sheet includes one or more outer fiber reinforcement layers and one or more intermediate structural support layers. At least one surface of the composite sheet is an outer fiber reinforcement layer of the one or more outer fiber reinforcement layers. The one or more outer fiber reinforcement layers include at least one of an aramid fiber cloth layer, an aramid carbon fiber blend layer, an aramid glass fiber blend layer, and a natural plant fiber layer. The one or more intermediate structural support layers include at least one of a carbon fiber cloth layer and a carbon glass fiber blend layer. The composite sheet may be used to make watch straps.