Vaulting Pole Composite Layering for Delamination Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vaulting poles, particularly those made with carbon fibers, are prone to delamination, which reduces their durability and weight reduction benefits compared to E-glass and S-glass poles.
Innovation Solution
A vaulting pole design featuring seven layers: a helical E-glass tape, crosswise helical E-glass tape, UHP-glass body wrap, S-glass body wrap, carbon fiber body wrap, S-glass body wrap, S-glass body wrap, and an S-glass trapezoidal sail piece, which provides superior physical properties and resistance to delamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If carbon fiber layers are used in vaulting poles, then weight reduction is achieved, but delamination occurs reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining carbon fiber layers with fiberglass layers in a multi-layer construction. Specifically, the pole includes at least one carbon fiber layer surrounded by at least one fiberglass layer, creating a composite structure that leverages the weight advantages of carbon fiber while using fiberglass to prevent delamination and enhance durability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fiberglass layers as intermediary materials between carbon fiber layers or between carbon fiber and the environment. The fiberglass acts as a mediator that bonds the carbon fiber layers together and to the pole structure, preventing delamination while allowing the carbon fiber to provide weight reduction. This intermediary approach enables the carbon fiber to function effectively without suffering from delamination issues.
2Reliability
If multiple fiberglass layers are used, then delamination resistance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple fiberglass layers alone, the patent employs a composite material system combining carbon fiber and fiberglass layers. The carbon fiber layers provide structural strength and stiffness, allowing the use of fewer fiberglass layers for delamination resistance. This composite approach achieves the required reliability with reduced overall weight compared to using only multiple fiberglass layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different materials at different locations within the pole structure. Carbon fiber layers are positioned where maximum strength-to-weight ratio is needed, while fiberglass layers are positioned where delamination resistance and bonding are critical. This local differentiation of material quality optimizes the balance between weight and delamination resistance, avoiding the need to uniformly increase fiberglass throughout the entire pole.
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
The proposed design achieves a ten-percent weight reduction similar to carbon poles while significantly enhancing resistance to delamination, resulting in improved durability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
In terms of physics, the vaulting pole converts the kinetic energy of the vaulter into potential energy that is then used to overcome the force of gravity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vaulting pole has seven layers. The first layer is a helical E-glass tape, the second layer is a crosswise helical E-glass tape, the third layer is an UHP-glass body wrap, the fourth layer is an S-glass body wrap, the fifth layer is a carbon fiber body wrap, the sixth layer is an S-glass body wrap, and the seventh layer is an S-glass trapezoidal sail piece.