Releasable Arrowhead Tracker for Through-Shot Game Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing broadheads with tracking devices embedded within them fail to facilitate hunters in locating injured game animals when the arrow passes completely through the target, as the tracking devices are lost with the broadhead.
Innovation Solution
A broadhead design with a releasable tracker that ejects from the arrowhead and embeds within the animal, equipped with a transmitter for GPS location, and a mechanism to ensure the tracker is securely embedded and functional post-impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the tracking device is embedded within the broadhead, then the broadhead structure is simplified, but the tracking device is lost when the arrow passes completely through the animal
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device is separated from the broadhead into an independent component. The broadhead and tracker are distinct elements that can be assembled together, allowing the tracker to remain with the animal while the broadhead may pass through completely.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracker is positioned within the hollow interior space of the broadhead for streamlined flight, but is designed to be ejected or remain behind when the broadhead passes through the animal. This nesting allows compact storage during flight while enabling separation during impact.
2Measurement precision
If the tracker is released from the arrowhead upon impact, then the animal can be located accurately, but the release mechanism adds complexity to the broadhead design
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector is pre-positioned within the ferrule in a held state during flight. Upon impact, the pre-positioned ejector is automatically released to propel the tracker into the animal, ensuring the tracking function activates at the appropriate moment without requiring complex external triggers.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact force itself triggers the release mechanism. The deceleration or force of impact automatically activates the ejector to release the tracker, eliminating the need for external sensors, batteries, or complex electronic release systems.
3Force
If the sloped upper wall slides against the tracker housing, then the tracker is propelled into the animal effectively, but friction and contact forces may affect tracker embedding
Solution Approach 1:
The tracker housing upper end and ejector sloped upper wall are designed with complementary curved surfaces that guide smooth separation. The curved geometry reduces abrupt contact points and minimizes friction during the ejection process, allowing effective propulsion while reducing harmful contact forces.
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
Enables hunters to accurately locate injured game animals by providing a wireless tracking system that remains within the animal, ensuring effective recovery of the kill.
Implementation Method 1
A transmitter is coupled to the tracker housing. The transmitter is configured to wirelessly communicate with a global positioning system unit wherein the transmitter is configured to identify a geographic location of the tracker housing
Data Source
AI summary
A hunting game tracking system for tracking a location of an injured game animal includes an arrowhead having an aft end, a tip end, and a ferrule extending therebetween. A tracker housing releasably coupled to the arrowhead has a front side, a back side, and an upper end that is angled to extend outwardly from the front side and downwardly toward the back side. A transmitter wirelessly communicates with a GPS unit to identify a location of the tracker housing. An ejector is movably positioned within the ferrule. The tracker housing is positionable within a cutout extending into the ejector. The cutout includes a sloped upper wall that is in contact with the upper end of the tracker housing and that slides downwardly against the upper end of the tracker housing to urge the tracker housing outwardly from the arrowhead into the animal after impact.