Flexible Archery Projectile with Tethered Body Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional archery projectiles face issues such as susceptibility to crosswinds, bulkiness, shaft flexing, and unpredictable deflection characteristics due to fletching, which affect accuracy and ease of handling.
Innovation Solution
A projectile design comprising a first body portion with a tip and a second body portion connected by a tether that transitions from a compact configuration to a longer, deployed configuration during flight, eliminating fletching and reducing shaft flexing, with a tether that transmits tensile forces but not compressive forces, enhancing stability and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional fletching is used on arrows, then spin-stabilization and drag-stability are provided, but the arrow becomes susceptible to crosswinds and more bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional fletching from the arrow design entirely, extracting the problematic component that caused crosswind susceptibility and bulkiness while seeking alternative stabilization methods through the flexible shaft design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the arrow shaft by introducing flexibility and oscillation control characteristics, transforming from a rigid shaft to a flexible shaft with specific deflection characteristics that provide stability without traditional fletching
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional fletching is used on arrows, then spin-stabilization is achieved, but the arrow becomes bulky and more difficult to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional fletching from the arrow design, extracting the bulky component that hindered portability while maintaining stabilization through alternative means
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using external fletching components to achieve stabilization, the patent inverts the approach by making the shaft itself flexible and capable of controlled oscillation, turning the shaft from a rigid structure into an active stabilization element
3Strength
If a rigid arrow shaft is used, then structural strength is maintained, but shaft flexing and oscillations impact arrow flight accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the shaft parameter from rigid to flexible, introducing controlled flexing characteristics that reduce harmful oscillations and improve flight accuracy while maintaining sufficient structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction for the flexible shaft, combining materials with different properties to achieve both the necessary flexibility for oscillation control and the strength required for structural integrity
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional arrow design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but inconsistency in materials and tolerances cause varying deflection characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the shaft design to be flexible with controlled oscillation characteristics, which appears to reduce sensitivity to manufacturing variations and material inconsistencies, thereby improving deflection consistency
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to achieve perfect consistency through tighter tolerances in traditional rigid shafts, the patent inverts the approach by designing a flexible shaft that naturally compensates for manufacturing variations through its oscillation characteristics
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 design improves accuracy by reducing wind interference and shaft flexing, while allowing for compact storage and easier handling, maintaining stability through increased static margin and drag characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a tether that transmits tensile forces but not compressive forces
Implementation Method 2
The fletching often extends helically and causes the shaft to rotate, thereby spin-stabilizing the arrow during flight
Implementation Method 3
In addition to spin-stabilization, arrows can be drag-stabilized
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, projectile comprises a first body portion comprising a tip, a second body portion comprising a nock and a tether attached to the first body portion and attached to the second body portion. In some embodiments, the projectile comprises a first configuration where the first body portion contacts the second body portion. In some embodiments, the projectile comprises a second configuration where the first body portion is spaced apart from the second body portion.