Elastically Deformable String with Segmented Core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elastically deformable strings that do not require knots face issues with stress concentration on the core material leading to deterioration, high frictional resistance, and difficulty in passing through string holes, while existing improvements either result in poor shape recoverability or increased friction.
Innovation Solution
A string design featuring an outer layer with loosely woven knob parts and densely woven link parts, along with a stretchable core material in a slackened or meandering state, allowing for reduced friction and improved elastic force distribution, enabling easy passage through string holes and maintaining tension during vigorous exercise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the core material is made stretchable to enable elastic deformation, then the string can be deformed elastically, but stress concentrates on the core material causing local deterioration and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The string is divided into multiple core strands (typically three) arranged in a triangular configuration, with each strand independently embedded in the knitted outer layer. This segmentation distributes the stress across multiple separate pathways, preventing stress concentration on any single core material strand, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving elastic deformability.
Solution Approach 2:
The core strands are nested within the knitted outer layer structure, with each core strand independently embedded in the fabric matrix. This nesting configuration allows the core material to deform elastically while the surrounding knitted structure provides stress distribution and protection, preventing local deterioration.
2Ease of operation
If the outer layer is made loosely woven to reduce friction, then the string passes easily through string holes, but the knob parts have poor shape recoverability and slip through string holes during vigorous exercise
Solution Approach 1:
The knitted outer layer features variable knit density with different knitting patterns in different regions: looser knitting in areas requiring flexibility and easier passage, and tighter knitting in areas requiring shape retention. This local quality variation allows the string to pass easily through string holes while maintaining sufficient retention force during vigorous exercise.
Solution Approach 2:
The knitted structure is designed to be dynamically adaptive, allowing the fabric to expand and contract with the elastic deformation of the core material. The knit pattern enables the outer layer to temporarily deform during passage through string holes and then automatically recover its shape, providing both ease of operation and reliable retention.
3Force
If the core material is placed in a straight line to maximize elastic force, then the string generates strong elastic force, but the core material deteriorates faster due to concentrated stress
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single straight core material, the elastic core is segmented into multiple parallel strands arranged in a triangular configuration. Each strand carries a portion of the total load, distributing stress evenly across all strands while maintaining the overall elastic force generation capability of the string.
Solution Approach 2:
The core material consists of composite construction with multiple elastic strands woven or knitted together in a triangular arrangement. This composite structure combines the elastic properties of individual strands with stress distribution across the composite, achieving both high elastic force and improved longevity through reduced stress concentration.
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 design reduces frictional forces and prevents damage to string holes, maintains elastic force for secure positioning, and enhances the overall elastic force of the string, preventing slipping and shifting during use.
Implementation Method 1
the core material is constituted by a stretchable string and placed inside the knob parts in a slackened and/or meandering state
Implementation Method 2
the outer layer comprises the knob parts that are constituted by outer layer yarns woven loosely
Data Source
AI summary
A elastically deformable string includes an outer layer and a core material placed inside the outer layer, wherein the outer layer has knob parts that are constituted by loosely woven outer layer yarns and elastically deformable, and link parts that are constituted by densely woven outer layer yarns and have a smaller diameter than the knob parts, wherein the loosely woven outer layer yarns are woven more loosely than are the densely woven outer layer using same yarns, and the core material is constituted by a stretchable string and placed inside the knob parts in a slackened and/or meandering state. The elastically deformable string is suitable for shoes, for example, as a shoelace which does not require knots.