Self-aligning Crossbow Interface Using Asymmetric Angled Surfaces

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for novel structures that help achieve proper alignment between the stock and bow portions of a crossbow to ensure optimal performance, as existing crossbows often lack effective alignment mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The crossbow incorporates self-aligning interfacing portions with angled surfaces on both the bow and stock portions, which are designed to be coaxial or coplanar, allowing for secure and precise alignment through complementary mating surfaces and fasteners, ensuring the central vertical axes or planes of both components are aligned.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional crossbow designs are used without self-aligning mechanisms, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but proper alignment between the stock portion and bow assembly portion cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment between stock portion and bow assembly portionVSAvoidinterface structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interfacing portion includes a first surface and a second surface oriented at equal but opposite angles to the first central vertical axis, creating an asymmetric configuration. The complimentary interfacing portion has corresponding surfaces oriented at equal but opposite angles to the second central vertical axis. This asymmetric angular arrangement enables self-alignment functionality while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The self-aligning interface allows the stock portion and bow assembly portion to automatically align themselves through the angled surfaces during assembly. The geometry of the interfacing surfaces causes the components to naturally orient correctly without requiring external alignment tools or complex adjustment mechanisms, enabling the system to align itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If self-aligning interfacing portions with angled surfaces are implemented, then proper alignment and performance are achieved, but the interface structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidinterface structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interfacing portion includes a first surface and a second surface oriented at equal but opposite angles to the first central vertical axis, creating an asymmetric configuration. The complimentary interfacing portion has corresponding surfaces oriented at equal but opposite angles to the second central vertical axis. This asymmetric angular arrangement enables self-alignment functionality while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The self-aligning interface allows the stock portion and bow assembly portion to automatically align themselves through the angled surfaces during assembly. The geometry of the interfacing surfaces causes the components to naturally orient correctly without requiring external alignment tools or complex adjustment mechanisms, enabling the system to align itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If the interfacing surfaces are oriented at equal but opposite angles to the central vertical axes, then coaxial alignment is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoaxial alignment of central vertical axesVSAvoidsurface angle precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The self-aligning interface allows the stock portion and bow assembly portion to automatically align themselves through the angled surfaces during assembly. The geometry of the interfacing surfaces causes the components to naturally orient correctly without requiring external alignment tools or complex adjustment mechanisms, enabling the system to align itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The interfacing portion includes a first surface and a second surface oriented at equal but opposite angles to the first central vertical axis, creating an asymmetric configuration. The complimentary interfacing portion has corresponding surfaces oriented at equal but opposite angles to the second central vertical axis. This asymmetric angular arrangement enables self-alignment functionality while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS9341430B2Self-aligning crossbow interface

Publication Date: 2016.05.17 MCP IP LLC

AI summary

In some embodiments, a crossbow comprises a bow portion defining a first central vertical axis and a stock portion defining a second central vertical axis. The bow portion comprises an interfacing portion and the stock portion comprises a complimentary interfacing portion. The interfacing portion and the complimentary interfacing portion are arranged to provide self-alignment of the stock portion with the bow portion, such that the first central vertical axis and the second central vertical axis are coaxial.