Delayed-Deploy Broadhead Reduces Inflight Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical broadheads experience inflight drag due to exposed blades, deploy blades before penetration, and have complex designs with exposed parts, leading to inefficiency and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A forward deploying, rear activated, delayed opening broadhead with a ferrule containing longitudinal slots and blades that remain recessed during flight, deploying only after the ferrule has penetrated the target, featuring a trigger device and deployment assist slide to radially open the blades within the target, internalizing moving parts for reduced wear and drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blades are exposed during flight to enable deployment, then blade deployment is achieved, but inflight drag increases and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are nested within the ferrule structure during flight, with each blade positioned within its own longitudinal slot. The ferrule acts as a protective container that holds the blades in a retracted state, eliminating exposed surfaces that would create drag. Only the tip protrudes forward, while all blade surfaces remain internalized within the ferrule's longitudinal slots.
Solution Approach 2:
The broadhead transitions from a static closed configuration during flight to a dynamic deployed configuration upon target impact. The blades are designed to pivot from a retracted position within the ferrule to an extended cutting position through the deployment mechanism activated by target contact, allowing the system to optimize for low drag during flight and high cutting performance upon impact.
2Area of stationary object
If blades are deployed before penetration, then cutting surface is increased, but kinetic energy is expended on cutting outer surfaces before penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule and its tip perform the preliminary action of penetrating the target before the blades are deployed. The tip is designed to first breach the outer surfaces (skin, soft tissue, bone) and establish penetration depth, only then triggering blade deployment. This ensures the cutting surfaces are fully utilized within the target rather than being consumed on outer surface resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The broadhead function is segmented into two distinct phases: penetration by the tip through outer surfaces, and cutting by the blades within the target. This functional segmentation allows the tip to handle the high-resistance penetration task first, then transfer to the blades for the lower-resistance cutting task, optimizing energy distribution across different operational phases.
3Reliability
If multiple moving parts are included for blade deployment, then blade deployment is achieved, but device complexity and failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment mechanism merges multiple functions into a unified system: the trigger device, deployment assist slide, and blade pivoting action are combined into a single integrated mechanism activated by target impact. The trigger device engages with the deployment assist slide, which simultaneously controls all blade movements, eliminating the need for separate actuation systems for each blade and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The broadhead deployment system is self-activating through target impact alone, without requiring external power sources, electronic components, or complex triggering mechanisms. The impact force automatically engages the trigger device, which then self-propels the deployment assist slide to pivot all blades outward, allowing the system to serve itself through the natural mechanics of target contact.
4Productivity
If parts are exposed to target impact, then broadhead can strike target effectively, but damage and wear increase and lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The blades and trigger device are nested within the ferrule structure, protected from direct target contact during the high-wear penetration phase. Only the hardened tip protrudes forward to handle target impact, while the vulnerable blade edges and mechanical components remain internalized within the ferrule's longitudinal slots, shielded from damage until deployment is necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The broadhead dynamically transitions from a protected state during flight and penetration to an exposed state during blade deployment within the target. The blades pivot from a retracted protected position to an extended cutting position only after the ferrule has successfully penetrated, minimizing the time vulnerable parts are exposed to damaging conditions while maintaining cutting effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises a novel broadhead generally consisting of a means to attach said broad-head to an arrow shaft, a ferrule with longitudinal slots for recessed blades and a perpendicular circular indentation to hold an o-ring, a tip to provide aerodynamic flight and a cutting surface, pivoting forward deploying blades, and a delayed deployment mechanism designed to trigger deployment of the blades after the broadhead has entered the target. An o-ring may be positioned on the ferrule to hold the blades in the recessed position until deployment is triggered by the delayed deployment mechanism. In preferred embodiments, the design of the pivot point and the slots in the ferrule only allow the blades to deploy to a position slightly greater than perpendicular to the ferrule. Also in preferred embodiments, the blades are fully recessed and will remain so until the broadhead has entered the target.