Variable Rigidity Paddle Shaft for Stand-Up Paddleboarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Paddles for stand-up paddleboarding are often costly and impractical due to the need for multiple variations to accommodate different user factors and water conditions, and there is a demand for a lightweight, strong paddle that enhances paddling efficiency and competitive performance.
Innovation Solution
A paddle assembly with a shaft that has varying flexural rigidity along its length, achieved through differences in material orientation and composition, allowing for adjustable stiffness profiles to optimize propulsion and user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple paddles with different characteristics are used to accommodate various user factors and water conditions, then adaptability is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is constructed with varying flexural rigidity at different locations along its length, creating localized stiffness characteristics that optimize performance for various paddling conditions without requiring multiple complete paddle designs
Solution Approach 2:
The flexural rigidity parameter of the shaft is varied along its length through changes in material composition, layer orientation, or structural configuration, allowing a single paddle to adapt to different user factors and water conditions
2Productivity
If a lightweight and strong paddle is designed to enhance paddling efficiency, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is formed from composite materials with varying properties along its length, combining lightweight strong materials with controlled flexural rigidity to maximize paddling efficiency while managing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the shaft have locally optimized properties for their specific functions, with the blade attachment area having higher rigidity and the handle area having appropriate flexibility, all within a single lightweight structure
Data Source
AI summary
A paddle assembly includes a tubular shaft that is configured to be coupled to a blade of the paddle assembly. The shaft has a shaft length, a first flexural rigidity at a first location along the shaft length and a second flexural rigidity at a second location along the shaft length. The ratio of the first flexural rigidity to the second flexural rigidity can be at least approximately 1.20. The shaft is substantially linear along the shaft length. The shaft has a shaft midpoint. The first location and the second location are substantially equidistant from and on opposite sides of the shaft midpoint. The shaft can have a tubular configuration. The shaft has a plurality of layers of material at each of the first location and the second location. The orientation of the layers of material at the first location is different than the orientation of materials at the second location. A modulus of elasticity of the materials used to form the shaft varies along the shaft length. The shaft can be formed at least partially from carbon fiber materials.