Pickleball Paddle Lattice Core for Vibration Damping and Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pickleball paddles inadequately dampen vibrations, which can affect player comfort and performance over time.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a lattice structure with soft filler materials in selected areas of the honeycomb core and/or adding laterally extending recesses to enhance vibration absorption and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a honeycomb structured core is used in the paddle, then vibration generation is reduced and paddle strength is maintained, but vibration damping remains inadequate for some players and playing styles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing soft filler material specifically in certain cells of the honeycomb structure rather than uniformly throughout. The filler is positioned in cells located in the lower portion of the paddle core, creating localized vibration damping zones that target specific vibration frequencies while preserving the overall structural integrity and performance characteristics of the paddle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the rigid honeycomb structure (providing strength and stiffness) with soft filler material (providing vibration damping). This composite approach creates a multi-functional core that simultaneously maintains structural performance and reduces unwanted vibrations, addressing the inadequacy of single-material solutions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If soft filler material is added to reduce vibrations, then player comfort is improved, but paddle performance characteristics may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By confining the soft filler material to specific cells rather than filling the entire core, the patent achieves vibration reduction in critical areas while preserving the rigid structural characteristics needed for performance. The selective placement ensures that power generation and ball control properties remain intact while dampening vibrations that reach the player's hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by filling only a portion of the honeycomb cells with soft material rather than the entire structure. This partial filling provides sufficient vibration damping to improve player comfort while maintaining enough rigid structure to preserve paddle performance characteristics such as power and control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration damping is enhanced throughout the entire paddle, then player comfort is improved, but power and performance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying vibration damping locally rather than globally. The soft filler material is positioned in specific cells in the lower portion of the core, providing vibration reduction exactly where it is needed to protect the player's hand, while leaving other areas of the core rigid to maintain power generation capability during ball impact.
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 solution effectively reduces paddle vibrations without compromising performance characteristics, providing improved player comfort and customizable power control.
Implementation Method 1
the vibration generated in the paddle upon the striking blade hitting a ball may be substantial... paddle manufacturers attempt to dampen vibrations in the paddle
Implementation Method 2
at least one soft filler material is contained, between the front face sheet and the back face sheet, in an area of the blade
Implementation Method 3
a lattice structure in at least the striking blade, wherein the lattice structure comprises at least one recess extending laterally from or close from a first side of the lattice structure to or close to a second side of the lattice structure
Data Source
AI summary
A pickleball paddle comprises a handle and a striking blade. In some aspects, a soft filler material is contained between the face sheets of the striking blade in an area of the striking blade near where the striking blade connects to the handle. The area of the striking blade comprises an area starting from bottom left edge of the striking blade and an area starting from bottom right edge of the striking blade. In another aspect, cells of a lattice structure contain a soft filler material in an area of the lattice structure in the handle and/or in an area of the lattice structure in a base area in which the striking blade connects to the handle. In another aspect, a lattice structure comprises a recess extending laterally from one side to the other side of the lattice structure on a surface of the lattice structure.