Swivel Cable Guard for Compound Bows Reduces Limb Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cable guards for compound bows apply undesirable torqueing forces on the limbs and rotatable members, leading to increased nock travel and inconsistent arrow launch due to lateral displacement of cables, which is exacerbated by shorter axle-to-axle distances in modern bow designs.
Innovation Solution
A cable guard with a body and a cable retaining member connected by a joint that allows the cables to move closer to the bowstring plane during draw, reducing lateral forces on the limbs and improving arrow trajectory by deflecting cables laterally away from the arrow's flight path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional fixed cable guards are used to laterally displace cables, then cable protection and arrow clearance are improved, but torqueing forces on limbs and rotatable members increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guard is designed with a flexible or articulated structure that allows it to dynamically adjust its position and flexibility during the draw cycle. This enables the cable guard to accommodate cable movement without applying constant lateral displacement, thereby reducing torqueing forces on the limbs and rotatable members while still protecting the cable and preventing arrow interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guard's physical parameters such as its position, angle, or flexibility are changed during operation to optimize performance. By adjusting these parameters based on the draw state, the cable guard can provide adequate protection without maintaining excessive lateral displacement that would create harmful torqueing forces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cables are laterally displaced by fixed cable guards, then arrow clearance is improved, but nock travel consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guard dynamically adapts its position during the draw cycle to maintain optimal clearance between the cable and arrow path. This dynamic adjustment ensures consistent nock travel by preventing cable interference with the arrow while accommodating the natural movement of cables during drawing, thereby improving both arrow clearance and launch consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guard is designed to automatically adjust to the cable's position and movement without requiring external control. This self-adjusting mechanism ensures that the cable guard provides adequate protection while minimizing interference with arrow travel, leading to consistent nock travel and improved precision.
3Length of moving object
If shorter axle-to-axle distance is used in modern bow designs, then bow compactness is improved, but the negative effects of cable displacement are amplified
Solution Approach 1:
In modern compact bows with shorter axle-to-axle distances, the cable guard is designed with enhanced flexibility or articulation to dynamically accommodate cable movement. This dynamic design is particularly important in compact bows because the reduced distance amplifies the effects of cable displacement, and the adaptive cable guard can adjust to minimize lateral forces on the rotatable members while maintaining adequate cable protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable guard for a compound archery bow includes a body and a cable retaining member connected to the body by a joint. The cable retaining member may retain at least one cable of an archery bow. The body of the cable guard has a length sufficient to position the joint at least at the drawn position of at least one of the cables retained by the cable retaining member. The joint connecting the cable retaining member to the body of the cable guard permits the opening of the cable retaining member to swivel forwards towards the mounting portion. Swiveling forward, the opening of the cable retaining members brings at least one of the retained cables closer to the bowstring plane of travel of the bow to which it is mounted.