Racket Dual-Core Structure for Balanced Strength and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rackets for ball sports like padel and beach tennis exhibit varying mechanical behaviors and performance issues due to inconsistent responses to ball impacts, leading to suboptimal user comfort and performance.
Innovation Solution
A racket design featuring a first and second half-shell with a central core made of a deformable material and a peripheral core made of a deformable material, which includes a variable density foam or expanding foam, enhancing mechanical strength and force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foam filling is used inside the frame to provide cushioning and vibration absorption, then user comfort is improved, but the mechanical strength and consistency of the racket structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The internal structure is divided into two distinct components: a peripheral core made of deformable material for comfort, and a central core made of rigid material for structural integrity. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the racket interior are assigned different material properties: the peripheral region uses deformable material for vibration absorption, while the central region uses rigid material for structural strength. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between comfort and strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If the racket uses a simple foam filling without structural reinforcement, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the response consistency and performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The racket employs a composite internal structure combining rigid and deformable materials in specific configurations. This composite approach enhances response consistency and performance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly of the two core components.
3Strength
If the racket frame is made entirely of rigid material for maximum strength, then structural strength is improved, but vibration absorption and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The internal structure is segmented into peripheral and central regions with different material properties. The peripheral deformable material absorbs vibrations and provides comfort, while the central rigid material maintains structural strength, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local regions of the racket interior are assigned different material qualities: deformable material at the periphery for vibration absorption and rigid material at the center for structural strength. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both comfort and strength.
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 improves mechanical behavior, providing better performance and user comfort by absorbing vibrations and ensuring homogeneous force distribution across the racket.
Implementation Method 1
The central core is made of a first deformable material... a material which has an elastic deformation at the end of which it returns to the initial shape, without residual deformations
Implementation Method 2
The peripheral core is made of a second deformable material... using a deformable material for the peripheral core makes it possible to guarantee good performance of the racket thanks to its elastic properties
Implementation Method 3
the second material is an expanding material... making the peripheral core of expanding material guarantees a homogeneous compression on the contour walls and on the central core when the second material is heated
Data Source
AI summary
A racket for ball sports includes: a first half-shell including a first head portion having a first impact wall, a first handle portion extending from the first head portion and a first contour wall extending around the first head portion; a second half-shell, coupled to the first half-shell, includes a second head portion having a second impact wall, a second handle portion extending from the second head portion and a second contour wall extending around the second head portion, the second contour wall being joined to the first contour wall; a central core of a first deformable material positioned between the first and second impact surfaces; and a peripheral core including a contour element positioned around the central core, the peripheral core of a second deformable material being positioned between the first and second impact surfaces in contact with the first and second contour walls.