Composite Racquet Frame for Lateral Flex and Torsional Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing racquets struggle to provide improved performance, control, power, and feel, particularly in top spin swings, while maintaining a large sweet spot and maneuverability without increasing the polar moment of inertia.
Innovation Solution
A racquet design featuring a frame made of fiber composite material with specific geometric and material properties, including a yoke and throat elements, allowing for increased lateral flexibility and reduced forward/rearward stiffness, while maintaining torsional stability, achieved through a unique lay-up of high-angle fiber composite layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If racquet frame beam height is increased to improve performance, then racquet stiffness is improved, but lateral flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The racquet frame employs different beam heights at different locations: a first beam height at the throat portion and a second beam height at the head portion, where the ratio between them is between 0.6 and 0.9. This local variation allows the frame to have sufficient stiffness in critical areas while maintaining lateral flexibility in other areas, resolving the contradiction between overall stiffness and lateral flexibility.
2Area of stationary object
If head size is increased to enlarge string bed, then string bed size is increased, but polar moment of inertia increases making racquet harder to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the ratio of beam heights between throat and head portions (0.6 to 0.9) and controls the head size within specific ranges (90-120 square inches) to achieve the right balance between string bed area and polar moment of inertia, allowing large string bed without excessive maneuverability loss.
3Productivity
If main and cross string segments are lengthened to improve performance, then string segment length is increased, but racquet control and stability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The racquet frame is constructed from composite materials with specific lay-up configurations that provide optimized flexibility and stability characteristics, allowing improved performance while maintaining control without needing to excessively lengthen string segments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If racquet is designed for increased dwell time and control, then lateral flexibility is improved, but forward/rearward stiffness and torsional stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The differentiated beam height design provides location-specific mechanical properties: the throat portion and head portion have different stiffness characteristics that collectively deliver improved lateral flexibility for dwell time while maintaining sufficient forward/rearward stiffness and torsional stability for control.
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
Enhances dwell time, control, and power during top spin swings by allowing for better interaction with the ball, without compromising maneuverability or increasing the polar moment of inertia.
Implementation Method 1
a racquet design featuring a frame made of fiber composite material with specific geometric and material properties, including a yoke and throat elements, allowing for increased lateral flexibility and reduced forward/rearward stiffness, while maintaining torsional stability, achieved through a unique lay-up of high-angle fiber composite layers
Data Source
AI summary
A racquet including a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. The head portion of the racquet being formed of a fiber composite material. When the racquet is tested under the racquet lateral bending test, the racquet has a lateral deflection of at least 6.5 mm when measured in a first direction that is parallel to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. When the racquet is tested under a racquet forward/rearward bending test, the racquet has a forward/rearward deflection with respect to the longitudinal axis of less than 7.3 mm when measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.