Segmented Racquet String Design for Power Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ball game racket strings have constant structures and compositions, which limit their ability to adapt to varying requirements and improve power transmission and handling.

Innovation Solution

The string is designed with varying sections along its longitudinal direction, featuring integrally connected and unconnected sections of multiple filaments made from conventional materials, bonded using high temperatures, UV, or laser light, allowing for optimized properties and power transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conventional constant-structure strings are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but power transmission and handling performance are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmissionVSAvoidstring structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The string is divided into multiple sections along its longitudinal direction, where each section has a different structural configuration (connected vs. unconnected filaments). This segmentation allows different portions of the string to provide different functional properties, optimizing both power transmission in certain sections and flexibility in others, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved performance and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the string are given different local qualities through varying the connection state of filaments. The connected sections provide structural integrity and power transmission, while unconnected sections provide flexibility and adaptability. This local differentiation allows the string to simultaneously achieve high power transmission and optimized handling characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Power

If filaments are integrally connected in sections, then power transmission is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmissionVSAvoidstring manufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filaments are prepared with connection sections and unconnected sections in advance during the string manufacturing process. By pre-establishing the sectional connection pattern, the complex multi-filament structure is created systematically before installation, making the manufacturing process more manageable despite the increased complexity compared to conventional strings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs advanced manufacturing techniques such as laser bonding or ultrasonic welding to connect filaments in specific sections, replacing traditional mechanical assembly methods. This substitution enables precise control over connection locations and strengths, facilitating the creation of complex sectional structures with improved manufacturing efficiency and consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If multiple filaments are used with varying sections, then handling and rebound forces are improved, but string uniformity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehandlingVSAvoidstring composition uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The string is segmented into connected and unconnected sections, creating a non-uniform composition along its length. This segmentation allows the string to provide enhanced handling characteristics through the unconnected sections while maintaining structural integrity through the connected sections, resolving the contradiction between improved ease of operation and reduced composition uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameters of the string (such as filament connection state, section length ratios, and material properties) are deliberately varied along the longitudinal direction to optimize handling performance. By controlling these parameter changes systematically, the string achieves superior handling and rebound characteristics while maintaining predictable and reliable performance through controlled non-uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design enhances power transmission and handling by varying the properties of the string, particularly in the racquet head, resulting in improved rebound forces and performance compared to conventional strings.

Implementation Method 1

The two or more filaments thus coated pass lengthwise, parallel to one another (i.e., in substantially the same longitudinal direction), through a mechanism that allows two or more filaments to be permanently and integrally bonded together in sections. This mechanism preferably uses high temperatures, UV light, or laser light to bind the filaments together via the coating.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

This mechanism preferably uses high temperatures, UV light, or laser light to bind the filaments together via the coating.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser Beam Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2164580B1Multi-string element for a racquet for ball games
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 HEAD TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP2164580B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3f
  • EP2164580B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a string for a ball racquet, the string having at least two filaments which run parallel to each other, wherein the filaments are connected to each other only in some sections. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a string of this type. A first method has the steps of providing at least two string filaments, bringing together the string filaments to form a configuration running in parallel and connecting the string filaments in some sections. An alternative production method has the steps of providing a string and slitting the string in some sections in order to produce at least two string filaments which run parallel to each other and are connected to each other only in some sections.