Internal Bow Projectile Launcher with Crank Cocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional crossbows pose safety concerns due to their exposed mechanisms and high energy components, require significant strength for cocking and handling, and are not compact, leading to issues with balance, accuracy, and stealth in hunting applications.
Innovation Solution
A projectile launcher with an internal bow assembly, a crank mechanism, and a trigger assembly, featuring a rotatable crank and pulley system that encloses the working components for enhanced safety and balance, allowing for easier cocking and quiet operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional crossbow design with external bow limbs and string is used, then high power and range are achieved, but safety concerns arise due to exposed high energy components and requirement for significant user strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the bow assembly inside a housing structure, nesting the high-energy components within a protective enclosure. The bow limbs are positioned within the housing rather than extending externally, allowing the high power crossbow to be handled safely while maintaining its explosive energy output when fired.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the bow string and limbs from their traditional external positions and relocates them inside the housing. By extracting these dangerous components from the external environment and placing them within the enclosed space, the design eliminates the safety hazards associated with exposed high-energy parts while preserving the crossbow's functional power.
2Power
If conventional crossbow with external cocking mechanism is used, then high draw weight is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome manual manipulation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cocking operations with a spring-loaded automatic cocking mechanism. The spring assembly automatically draws the bowstring and limbs when triggered, eliminating the need for users to manually manipulate the heavy crossbow components. This substitution transforms a strenuous manual task into an automatic mechanical action, greatly improving ease of operation while maintaining high draw weight capability.
3Power
If conventional crossbow with transverse bow limbs is used, then high power is achieved, but device complexity increases due to imbalance and accuracy issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the bow assembly asymmetrically within the housing, orienting it vertically rather than horizontally. This asymmetric arrangement shifts the center of gravity and balances the weight distribution, creating a more stable platform for aiming. The vertical orientation of the bow limbs within the housing eliminates the transverse configuration that caused imbalance, thereby improving shooting accuracy while preserving high power output.
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 solution provides a balanced, safe, and compact archery weapon that minimizes the risks associated with traditional crossbows, enhances accuracy, and reduces noise during operation, making it more suitable for hunting.
Implementation Method 1
The bow assembly includes a resilient upper bow arm and a resilient lower bow arm
Implementation Method 2
respective pulleys and cables interconnecting the bow arms and the stirrup carriage
Data Source
AI summary
The projectile launcher with internal bow includes a riser base, an elongate barrel assembly attached to the riser base, a crank mechanism attached to the back of the barrel assembly, a trigger assembly, and an internal bow assembly mounted to the riser base. The crank assembly includes a rotatable crank for selective reciprocation of a cocking pawl carriage riding inside a rail system in the barrel assembly. A biased cocking pawl in the pawl carriage selectively engages a projectile stirrup carriage riding on top of the rail system to push the stirrup carriage into a cocked position. The internal bow assembly includes reversed and vertically spaced, upper and lower resilient bow arms and respective pulleys and cables interconnecting the bow arms and the stirrup carriage. Cocking of the stirrup carriage flexes the bow arms in preparation for placement and firing of a projectile.