Archery Bow Multiple Tube Structure Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional archery bows face limitations in weight, stiffness, aerodynamics, and vibration damping, leading to suboptimal arrow velocity and accuracy, with existing designs either weakening the structure or compromising stability through material removal for weight reduction.
Innovation Solution
A composite bow system featuring multiple continuous tubes fused along facing surfaces with strategically formed apertures or ports, providing internal reinforcing walls for strength and stiffness, while allowing air passage and deformation to enhance aerodynamics and vibration damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If material is removed from the bow structure to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but structural strength and stability are weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The bow structure is divided into multiple separate tubular elements (first tube, second tube, third tube) that are positioned adjacent to each other. These segmented tubes maintain structural integrity while reducing overall weight compared to a solid structure. The segmentation allows strategic material removal without compromising strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction with multiple tubular elements made from materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or other fiber-reinforced polymers. These composite materials provide high strength-to-weight ratio, enabling weight reduction while maintaining or enhancing structural strength. The tubes are bonded together using adhesives or other joining methods to create a unified composite structure.
2Strength
If the bow structure is made solid and dense, then strength is improved, but weight increases and aerodynamics worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The bow incorporates a porous or hollow tubular structure instead of a solid dense structure. The multiple tubes create internal voids that reduce weight while the tubular walls maintain strength. This porous configuration also improves aerodynamics by allowing air to pass through the bow structure during arrow release, reducing air resistance and improving arrow velocity.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented tubular design distributes structural strength across multiple elements rather than relying on a single solid mass. Each tube contributes to the overall strength while the combined structure remains lighter than a solid equivalent. The segmentation allows for optimized wall thickness and material distribution.
3Strength
If the bow structure is made solid and dense, then strength is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The porous tubular configuration allows air to flow through the bow structure during the shooting cycle, reducing aerodynamic drag and improving the speed of limb return. This porous design maintains structural strength through the tubular walls while enabling beneficial air passage that enhances aerodynamic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented tube structure creates channels for air flow that a solid structure would block. The gaps between and within tubes facilitate aerodynamic efficiency without sacrificing strength, as each tube maintains its structural integrity while the assembly provides aerodynamic benefits.
4Ease of manufacture
If the bow structure is made with flat laminated panels, then manufacturing is simplified, but torsional properties and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from flat laminated panels to curved tubular structures. The circular or oval cross-section of the tubes provides superior torsional resistance compared to flat panels, as the curved geometry naturally resists twisting forces. This curved tubular design improves accuracy by maintaining structural stability during the shooting cycle while remaining manufacturable through molding or forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite tubular construction combines multiple materials with different properties to achieve optimal torsional performance. Fiber reinforcement in the tubular walls provides exceptional torsional rigidity, while the tubular geometry itself resists twisting. This composite approach maintains ease of manufacture through modern composite fabrication techniques.
5Strength
If the bow structure uses a rigid solid design, then strength is improved, but vibration damping deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The porous tubular structure provides vibration damping through air movement within the tubes and at the ports. As the bow limbs vibrate after arrow release, air flows in and out of the tubular structures, creating damping effects that reduce unwanted vibrations and noise. This porous design maintains strength through the tubular walls while actively dampening vibrations through aerodynamic mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Air acts as an intermediary damping medium within the tubular structure. The air movement through the tubes and ports during vibration provides passive damping without requiring additional mechanical components. This intermediary air cushion absorbs and dissipates vibrational energy while maintaining the structural strength of the tubular walls.
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 solution results in a lightweight, durable bow with tailored stiffness, improved aerodynamics, enhanced vibration damping, and increased arrow velocity, while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
multiple continuous tubes fused along facing surfaces to form internal reinforcing walls
Implementation Method 2
ports formed between the tubes... allowing air passage and deformation to enhance aerodynamics
Implementation Method 3
enhanced vibration damping... The tubes can be separated at various locations to form apertures or ports between the tubes
Implementation Method 4
The tubes can be separated at various locations to form apertures or ports between the tubes... allowing air passage and deformation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
An archery bow (10) comprising: a. a riser portion (14); and b. two limbs (12,12a), attached to opposite ends of said riser portion; characterized in that c. at least one of said riser portion or said limbs comprises: i. two or more hollow tubes (22), each of said tubes having one or more portions of its surface touching one or more portions of the surface of one or more others of said tubes; ii. wherein said portions of said tubes touching others of said tubes are fused together at said touching portions (24); iii. wherein the portions of said tubes not touching others of said tubes form the external surface of said bow limbs or riser portion of said bow; and iv. wherein said bow limbs or said riser portion defines one or more ports (20) extending therethrough, said ports being formed between said portions of said one or more tubes not touching others of said tubes.