Composite Tubular Archery Bow Riser for Strength at Lower Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing archery bows, particularly compound bows, face challenges with heavy risers due to large, complex metal constructions, which increase weight and manufacturing complexity, making them less desirable for portability and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The use of composite riser tubes made from high-strength fibers like graphite or metal, combined with metal or polymer components, to create a lightweight and rigid bow riser structure that can handle dynamic forces, featuring a design with offset riser tubes and securement mechanisms for efficient assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If large, complex metal risers are used to handle bending moments from wide compound bow limbs, then structural strength is improved, but weight and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The riser uses composite construction combining carbon fiber tubes with aluminum alloy fittings. The carbon fiber tubes provide high strength-to-weight ratio while the metal fittings provide connection points for limbs and accessories. This composite approach achieves the required structural strength without the excessive weight of solid metal risers.
Solution Approach 2:
The riser is divided into multiple components: carbon fiber tubes for the main structure, aluminum alloy fittings for connections, and separate limb pockets. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled together, reducing overall weight while maintaining strength.
2Weight of moving object
If complex carbon composite structures with multiple plies and fixtures are used to reduce riser weight, then weight is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The riser is manufactured as separate components (carbon fiber tubes, aluminum fittings, limb pockets) that are assembled together. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing of each individual part while achieving weight reduction, avoiding the need for complex multi-ply carbon structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The riser uses a composite construction combining carbon fiber tubes with aluminum alloy fittings. This approach reduces weight compared to solid metal while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of fully composite structures with multiple plies and fixtures.
3Reliability
If large metal risers are used to ensure structural integrity, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The riser employs composite construction with carbon fiber tubes providing structural integrity and aluminum alloy fittings providing connection functionality. This maintains reliability while reducing the complexity and cost associated with large solid metal risers.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials are used in different locations: carbon fiber tubes where weight reduction is critical and aluminum fittings where connection strength and machining capability are needed. This local optimization maintains structural integrity while reducing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An archery bow is provided including opposing limbs and a riser. The riser can include a riser handle and one or more primary riser elongated elements extending away from the handle to respective limbs. The primary riser elongated elements can be straight, elongated round or other shaped tubes, rods or bars constructed optionally from a composite or other material. Vents can be included in ports of the riser to facilitate escape of air when riser elongated elements are installed in those ports. The riser can include one or more connector lugs disposed between tube portions to facilitate attachment of accessories to the elongated elements. The elongated elements can be bonded, adhered or otherwise fixed to the riser handle, struts, lugs and/or limb pockets, which can be constructed from a metal such as aluminum, titanium or an alloy, and which can handle significant moments and forces transferred via the elongated elements.