Tennis Racket Diamond Frame Drag Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tennis rackets suffer from increased drag forces due to surface discontinuities caused by string bands and suboptimal aerodynamic shapes, particularly during various shots, requiring more energy to move the racket at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A tennis racket with an oval frame supporting a lattice-work and through-bands for strings, where the bands are inserted flush with the frame's outer edge, and the frame features a diamond-shaped cross-section to minimize drag, combined with a bumper system that protects the strings and frame from impacts without adding thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bands are inserted into hollow housings on the periphery of the frame, then the lattice-work is supported and strings can pass through, but surface discontinuity is created between the band and frame which increases drag forces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting bands into hollow housings that create surface discontinuities, the invention inverts the approach by having bands protrude slightly from the frame surface. This reversal of the traditional insertion method eliminates the surface discontinuity problem while maintaining the structural support function and reducing drag forces during tennis shots.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating a specific protrusion geometry for the bands with precise dimensions (protrusion height between 0.5-2.0 mm, protrusion width matching frame width). This localized geometric modification optimizes the aerodynamic properties at the band-frame interface while maintaining the necessary structural support function, reducing drag forces without compromising reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the frame has an oval section, then the frame structure is traditional and easy to manufacture, but aerodynamic behavior is suboptimal for all tennis shots
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional symmetric oval frame section with an asymmetric diamond-shaped cross-section. This asymmetric geometry is specifically designed to optimize aerodynamic behavior across different shot types (forehand, backhand, serve) by reducing drag forces, while still being manufacturable using standard frame construction techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the frame cross-section from an oval shape to a diamond-shaped profile with specific angular characteristics. This parameter change optimizes the aerodynamic properties of the frame, reducing drag forces during various tennis shots while maintaining structural integrity and manufacturability.
3Reliability
If bands are arranged withdrawn relative to the outer edge of the frame, then the bands are protected from damage, but surface discontinuity increases drag forces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of withdrawing bands inside the frame to protect them (which creates surface discontinuities), the invention inverts the approach by having bands protrude slightly from the frame outer edge. This reversal protects bands through controlled exposure while eliminating the surface discontinuity that causes increased drag forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by defining precise geometric parameters for band protrusion (height of 0.5-2.0 mm, width matching frame width) at the outer edge of the frame. This localized geometric optimization simultaneously achieves band protection and drag reduction by eliminating surface discontinuities while maintaining adequate band exposure for durability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a tennis racket including: an oval frame adapted to support a latticework, and through-bands for the strands of latticework cord, each band being received in an outer housing in the frame and including through-tubes for the strands, the tubes being inserted in the direction of the interior of the frame in through-holes provided in the frame. Each band is arranged flush with the outer edge of the cross-section of the frame, and an outer shell of the cross-section of the frame is essentially diamond shaped.