Flexible Sail Panel with Interrupted Sheaths for Tie Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sails and awnings made with traditional methods suffer from rapid loss of flexibility due to adhesive aging, leading to stiffness issues during use, handling, and folding, resulting in difficulty in maneuvering, storage, and frequent replacement.
Innovation Solution
A membrane body design featuring sailcloths with flexible sheaths housing tie rods, which are longitudinally movable and connected only under load, maintaining flexibility over time and allowing the sail to assume a set shape under aerodynamic loads without deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If sails are reinforced with tie rods distributed according to a set pattern, then structural strength and stiffness are improved, but flexibility is lost due to adhesive aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the tie rod connection system adaptable rather than fixed. The tie rods are connected to the sailcloth through a mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment - the connection points can move relative to each other along predetermined paths, enabling the sail to adapt its shape under varying wind conditions while maintaining structural integrity. This dynamic connection system prevents the rigid adhesive bonding that causes flexibility loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by allowing the connection geometry between tie rods and sailcloth to vary. Instead of fixed adhesive bonds, the connection parameters (positions, angles, distances) can change within certain ranges, enabling the sail to optimize its aerodynamic profile under different loading conditions while maintaining structural strength through the tie rod framework.
2Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive is distributed on panels to bond tie rods, then structural integrity is improved, but rapid ageing occurs leading to loss of flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the adhesive layer from the tie rod connection system. Instead of bonding tie rods directly to the sailcloth with adhesive, the invention uses a mechanical connection system where tie rods are attached to a framework that connects to the sailcloth through discrete, movable connection points. This eliminates the adhesive aging problem while maintaining structural integrity through the mechanical framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary framework as a mediator between the tie rods and the sailcloth. This intermediate structure (the framework or rigging system) serves as a non-adhesive connection medium that transmits forces from the tie rods to the sailcloth while allowing for movement and adaptation. The intermediary framework replaces the adhesive bond, providing structural integrity without the aging problems of adhesive materials.
3Shape
If sails are made stiff to maintain shape under load, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but handling and folding become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a sail structure that can dynamically adjust its stiffness characteristics. The tie rod connection system allows the sail to be stiff when needed for aerodynamic performance during sailing, but can be easily manipulated and folded when not in use. The movable connection points enable the sail to transition between its operational aerodynamic shape and a compact folded state without permanent deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses segmentation by dividing the sail into modular sections connected by the tie rod framework. This segmentation allows different parts of the sail to move independently, making the overall structure easier to handle and fold while maintaining the ability to form the required aerodynamic conformation when deployed. The modular connection system enables controlled deformation during folding operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Membrane body (1) comprising at least one pair of panels (10, 11) connected together in an adhesive manner and for each pair of said panels (10, 11), at least one flexible sheath (15) arranged stably according to a set pattern to resist membrane stress acting on the panels (10, 11); each sheath (15) housing a respective tie rod (16), connected to the panels (10, 11) in an end position in a set manner in such a way as to be suitable for resisting normal stress to free the panels (10, 11) from the respective membrane stress, thereby maintaining the group of the panels (10, 11) flexible and maintaining the corresponding production method.