Segmented Pole Handle Core for Weight and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pole handles are either too heavy due to excessive material usage or lack stability under load, and they do not effectively showcase their lightweight design or provide ergonomic comfort.
Innovation Solution
A pole handle design featuring a core with side walls and apertures that form a cavity, made from thermoplastic materials with reinforcement, and a modular structure allowing for adjustable length and customizable materials, including a soft sheathing for comfort and visibility of the internal structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If more structure-forming material is used in the pole handle, then stability under load is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pole handle is divided into a core structure and an outer shell. The core contains longitudinal cavities that segment the material distribution, allowing material to be placed only where structurally necessary for load-bearing, while reducing material in non-critical areas. This segmentation enables the handle to maintain stability under load while minimizing overall material usage and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The pole handle employs a composite construction with a core made from thermoplastic material (such as polyamide, polycarbonate, or polypropylene) and an outer shell that may be made from different materials. This composite approach allows optimization of each layer for specific functions: the core provides structural integrity and stability, while the shell can provide ergonomic comfort and aesthetic appearance, achieving high stability with minimal material weight.
2Weight of moving object
If less structure-forming material is used in the pole handle, then weight is reduced, but stability under load deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal cavities segment the core structure into multiple walls, creating a lightweight yet rigid framework. This segmentation allows the handle to achieve high structural efficiency with minimal material, as the cavity walls are positioned to maximize bending resistance and load-bearing capacity while using far less material than a solid construction would require.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a solid three-dimensional structure to a hollow structure with longitudinal cavities. This dimensional change creates a space-efficient structure where the material is distributed along the length of the handle in thin walls, providing high stiffness-to-weight ratio and maintaining stability under load while dramatically reducing overall material consumption and weight.
3Weight of moving object
If the pole handle is designed with a lightweight structure, then weight is reduced, but visual appeal and visibility of lightweight design are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The outer shell of the pole handle can be manufactured in different colors, finishes, and translucency levels. The shell may be made transparent or translucent to visually reveal the internal cavity structure, allowing the lightweight design to be seen and appreciated aesthetically. This color and transparency variation enables the handle to maintain visual appeal while showcasing the weight-reducing cavity structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal cavities create visible linear patterns and geometric forms within the handle structure. When the outer shell is made transparent or translucent, these cavities become visible aesthetic features rather than merely functional elements. The three-dimensional cavity structure adds visual interest and complexity, enhancing the visual appeal of the lightweight design.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the pole handle uses a solid structure, then stability is improved, but ergonomic comfort and grip are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The core structure is segmented into multiple longitudinal walls separated by cavities, creating a framework that provides structural stability while leaving space for ergonomic features. The outer shell can then be shaped to conform to hand anatomy and incorporate soft materials in grip areas, achieving both stability and comfort through this segmented core-shell architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The pole handle combines a rigid thermoplastic core structure with an outer shell that can incorporate softer materials for ergonomic comfort. The core provides the necessary stability and structural integrity, while the shell can be molded with ergonomic contours, soft-touch surfaces, or integrated grip materials, allowing the handle to be both stable and comfortable to grip simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A pole handle for a ski pole or trekking pole, having a head region and a handle region , and an axial orifice which is open downwardly on one side to receive a pole tube, wherein the pole handle has a core with a left-hand side wall and a right-hand side wall, at least in certain regions, wherein the two side walls are connected at the top by a top surface so that the walls and the surface enclose a cavity, and the left-hand side wall and the right-hand side wall laterally delimit the cavity, and wherein the two side walls each have at least one aperture in a direction transverse to the pole handle longitudinal axis (S) and transverse to the direction of travel with a determined area.