Flat Reinforcing Threads for Inflatable Sail Cohesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reinforcing threads in sail technology, such as those used in mainsails, cause relief discontinuities and premature wear due to their thickness and friction with the wind, leading to reduced sail life and flexibility issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of flat or flattened reinforcing threads with an oblong cross-section, where the width is less than 0.06 times the length, to minimize thickness variations and prevent delamination, while maintaining flexibility and cohesion within the sail structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If individual reinforcing threads are used to reinforce the sail, then the mechanical strength of the sail is improved, but the sail lifespan is reduced due to relief discontinuities and delamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the reinforcing threads by flattening them to reduce their thickness from circular cross-section to oblong cross-section with width-to-length ratio less than 0.06. This parameter change reduces relief discontinuities and prevents delamination while maintaining mechanical strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the reinforcing threads flat specifically at the regions where they contact the wind and interact with the sail surface, while maintaining their full strength properties along their length. This localized geometric modification addresses the delamination issue without compromising overall reinforcement
2Strength
If individual reinforcing threads are used to reinforce the sail, then the mechanical strength of the sail is improved, but the flexibility of the sail is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cross-sectional geometry of the reinforcing threads from circular to oblong with reduced thickness, which reduces their stiffness and improves flexibility while maintaining their load-bearing capacity along the length direction
3Strength
If traditional reinforcing threads are used, then mechanical reinforcement is provided, but frictional resistance with the wind increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing threads to oblong with width-to-length ratio less than 0.06, which reduces their thickness and consequently reduces the frictional resistance with the wind while maintaining mechanical reinforcement effectiveness
4Stability of the object's composition
If the width of reinforcing threads is reduced to minimize thickness variations, then cohesion and prevention of delamination is improved, but the mechanical strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction by flattening multiple filaments together to form a oblong cross-section reinforcing thread. This composite structure distributes the mechanical load across multiple filaments while maintaining a thin overall profile that prevents delamination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from circular cross-section to oblong cross-section, effectively using the width dimension to maintain strength while reducing the thickness dimension to prevent delamination and improve cohesion with the sail surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a reinforcing textile thread (82) for an inflatable sail, such as a rigging sail or a flight sail, including a plurality of filaments which are agglutinated so as to form an elongate unitary body (820), and a binder (822) which ensures the cohesion among at least some of the filaments (821) of the unitary body (820), and which consists of a coating material. In order to guarantee an effective, directed reinforcement effect within an inflatable sail without limiting the lifespan of said sail, the unitary body has, in the cross-section thereof, an oblong outline, wherein the ratio of the maximum width (e) of said outline, which corresponds to a thickness of the unitary body, to the maximum length (l) of said outline, which corresponds to a width of the unitary body, is less than 0.06, a plurality of filaments (821) being arranged in series over the thickness of the unitary body.