Tennis Racket Shock Absorber Inner Outer Frame Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard tennis rackets lack effective shock absorption and power distribution, leading to potential musculoskeletal injuries and imbalanced hitting power.
Innovation Solution
The tennis racket incorporates an inner and outer frame with shock-absorber means, specifically elastomer material blocks between the frames, and grommet strips that allow for force-fit string placement, reducing direct contact and enhancing vibration absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a standard tennis racket with a single frame is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but shock absorption is insufficient leading to potential musculoskeletal injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into an inner frame and an outer frame that are separate components. The inner frame provides structural support while the outer frame contains shock-absorbing material, creating distinct functional zones that reduce vibrations without requiring complete structural redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The outer frame is constructed with shock-absorbing material (such as elastomers or viscoelastic polymers) integrated into the frame structure. This composite approach allows the frame to simultaneously provide structural integrity and vibration damping, reducing shock transmission to the player
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the inner frame and outer frame are placed close together, then the racket structure is compact, but vibration absorption is reduced due to direct contact between frames
Solution Approach 1:
A layer of shock-absorbing material is positioned between the inner frame and outer frame to act as an intermediary. This material layer absorbs vibrations and prevents direct contact between the frames, reducing vibration transmission while maintaining a compact overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The shock-absorbing material forms a flexible interface between the rigid inner and outer frames. This flexible layer deforms under vibration loads, absorbing energy while maintaining the compact spacing between frames
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional stringing without grommet strips is used, then the stringing process is simpler, but power distribution is imbalanced and string placement precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
Grommet strips are pre-installed on the frame at precise locations before stringing. These strips contain pre-positioned holes that guide string placement, ensuring consistent and accurate string positioning without requiring complex measurement or adjustment during the stringing process
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet strips serve as intermediary components between the frame and the strings. They provide a structured interface that distributes string loads evenly across the frame and maintains precise string spacing, improving power distribution while simplifying the stringing process
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 significantly reduces vibrations felt by the user, preventing injuries and improving hitting power distribution for better performance.
Implementation Method 1
shock-absorber means disposed between the outer peripheral face of the inner frame and the inner peripheral face of the outer frame
Implementation Method 2
This design significantly reduces vibrations felt by the user
Data Source
AI summary
The racket includes a handle (2) and a frame (4) defined by an inner frame (40) and an outer frame (42), said frame further including shock-absorbing means (50) positioned between the peripheral outer surface of the inner frame and the peripheral inner surface of the outer frame. The frame further includes at least one fitting member (60) having an elongate body (62) and extending against the outer surface of the outer frame (42), and at least one tube (66) for passing a string yarn (10, 12), extending both in first openings (40″) formed in the inner frame and in second openings (42″) formed in the outer frame.