Bowstring Release Device Adjustable Jaw Gap

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bowstring release devices suffer from manufacturing tolerance errors and wear, leading to inconsistent performance and increased costs due to the need for tight tolerances and potential operational failures under substantial pull forces.

Innovation Solution

A bowstring release mechanism with pivotally connected jaws and an adjustable gap between them, allowing for customizable slot width through adjustment members, ensuring proper retention and release of the bowstring across varying manufacturing dimensions and wear conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tight manufacturing tolerances are specified for jaw alignment, then bowstring retention reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebowstring retention reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing tolerance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing incorporates an adjustment mechanism that allows the gap between opposing jaw faces to be dynamically adjusted after assembly. This dynamic adjustment capability compensates for manufacturing tolerances and wear, maintaining reliable bowstring retention without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances during production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of jaw gap distance from a fixed value determined during manufacturing to an adjustable parameter that can be modified in the field. The adjustment mechanism enables users to widen or narrow the slot to compensate for tolerance errors and wear, ensuring consistent performance without tight manufacturing controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If fixed gap dimensions are used between jaws, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but performance consistency deteriorates due to cumulative tolerance errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidperformance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing incorporates an adjustment mechanism that allows the gap between opposing jaw faces to be dynamically adjusted after assembly. This dynamic adjustment capability compensates for manufacturing tolerances and wear, maintaining reliable bowstring retention without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances during production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism enables users to self-correct performance issues by adjusting the jaw gap in the field. Users can compensate for cumulative tolerance errors and wear without requiring precision manufacturing or specialized service intervention, maintaining performance consistency through end-user adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If no adjustment mechanism is provided, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability to wear and tolerance variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to wear and tolerance variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The housing incorporates an adjustment mechanism that allows the gap between opposing jaw faces to be dynamically adjusted after assembly. This dynamic adjustment capability compensates for manufacturing tolerances and wear, maintaining reliable bowstring retention without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances during production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism serves multiple functions: compensating for manufacturing tolerance errors, compensating for wear over time, and allowing adaptation to different bowstring configurations. This multi-functionality enhances adaptability while adding minimal complexity to the overall device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 mechanism provides reliable bowstring retention and release by adjusting the gap between jaws, reducing manufacturing costs and operational failures, and accommodating different archer preferences and hand sizes.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second jaws are movable with respect to each other between closed and open positions for respectively retaining and releasing a bowstring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9163897B1Bowstring release device

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 GOOD SPORTSMAN MARKETING LLC

AI summary

A bowstring release mechanism includes a housing and first and second jaws pivotally connected to the housing. The first and second jaws have first and second opposing faces. At least one of the jaws is movable with respect to the other jaw. A gap between the opposing faces is also adjustable through a slot formed in a the housing and an adjustment member for adjusting a width of the slot to narrow or widen the slot, and thus the gap.