Archery Bow Limb Cover Geometry for Noise and Vibration Damping

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing archery bow limbs require improvements in functionality and performance, particularly in terms of durability, noise reduction, and vibration dampening during projectile launch.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a cover member onto the limbs of an archery bow, which can be affixed to surfaces such as tensile, compression, and lateral surfaces, featuring a pattern or protrusions to attenuate acoustic waves and absorb energy, thereby reducing noise and vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cover member is added to the limb, then durability and noise reduction are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A cover member is introduced as an intermediary component between the limb and the external environment. The cover member includes a body with a limb-facing surface that contacts the limb and an external-facing surface, serving as a protective mediator that absorbs impacts and reduces noise while maintaining limb functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover member body functions as a flexible shell structure that can deform to absorb impact energy and dampen vibrations. The shell configuration allows the cover member to mitigate damage from impacts while protecting the underlying limb structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a cover member is added to the limb, then vibration dampening is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevibrationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover member body functions as a flexible shell structure that can deform to absorb impact energy and dampen vibrations. The shell configuration allows the cover member to mitigate damage from impacts while protecting the underlying limb structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The density of the cover member material is specifically controlled to be less than the density of the limb material. This parameter change optimizes the cover member's ability to dampen vibrations while minimizing added weight and maintaining overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a cover member is added to the limb, then noise reduction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A cover member is introduced as an intermediary component between the limb and the external environment. The cover member includes a body with a limb-facing surface that contacts the limb and an external-facing surface, serving as a protective mediator that absorbs impacts and reduces noise while maintaining limb functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover member body functions as a flexible shell structure that can deform to absorb impact energy and dampen vibrations. The shell configuration allows the cover member to mitigate damage from impacts while protecting the underlying limb structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Object-generated harmful factors

If the cover member density is made lower than the limb density, then noise reduction is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The density of the cover member material is specifically controlled to be less than the density of the limb material. This parameter change optimizes the cover member's ability to dampen vibrations and reduce noise while minimizing added weight and maintaining overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 cover member enhances the durability and performance of archery bow limbs by mitigating damage from impacts, dampening vibrations, and reducing noise generated during projectile launch.

Implementation Method 1

dampening vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration dampening: Damping

Implementation Method 2

absorb energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

attenuate acoustic waves and absorb energy, thereby reducing noise

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave attenuation: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentUS12504251B2Archery bow and related apparatuses

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 HOYT ARCHERY INC

AI summary

An archery bow can include a limb assembly having a limb and a cover member. The limb includes a distal end and a proximal end. The cover member can be coupled to the limb between the distal and proximal ends. The limb can have a region disposed laterally adjacent to a cam of the archery bow. The cover member can be at least partially disposed on the region. The limb can define a first length and the cover member can define a second length. The first length and the second length can define a ratio. In some examples, the limb and/or the cover member can include a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom.