Optimal Design of Tennis Racket by Modal Analysis : Coefficient of Restitution

• Published in: Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Series C Vol. 60; no. 577; pp. 3081 - 3086
• Main Authors: Wang, Jin Yong, Toyoda, Norihiko, Matsubara, Atsushi, Matsuhisa, Hiroshi, Honda, Yoshihisa, Sato, Susumu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers 1994
• Subjects: Coefficient of Restitution; Coupled Vibration; Modal Analysis; Substructure Synthesis Method; Tennis Ball; Tennis Racket
• ISSN: 0387-5024; 1884-8354
• DOI: 10.1299/kikaic.60.3081

Relationship between the structure of a tennis racket and the restitution of a ball is investigated theoretically by modal analysis and the substructure synthesis method. The racket and the ball are modeled by a beam and two masses, respectively, and they are connected by a spring. Since there is a mode of vibration which has a high value of restitution, the racket must be designed such that this mode becomes significant. For the high value of restitution, the gravity center of racket and the nodal points of modes should be close to the striking point. The natural frequency of the racket must coincide with that of the ball. The strings must be soft and the bending rigidity must be high.