Twisted Ribbon Arrow Vane for Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Archery arrow vanes face limitations in stabilization, particularly for slower-moving arrows from lower energy bows, as larger vanes can interfere with the arrow rest and become misshapen, leading to aerodynamic defects and reduced stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A vane design featuring a twisted ribbon strip with a semi-rigid but flexible material that induces spin during flight, including a fin to aid in stability, allowing the vane to clear archery components without deformation and maintain aerodynamic stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If larger vanes are used to increase surface area for stabilization, then lift and lateral forces increase improving arrow stabilization, but the vanes interfere with the arrow rest during shooting
Solution Approach 1:
The vane is divided into multiple vanes arranged around the arrow shaft, with each vane having a reduced individual surface area. This segmentation allows the collective stabilization effect while reducing interference with the arrow rest during shooting.
Solution Approach 2:
The vanes are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration around the arrow shaft at specific angular intervals, utilizing spatial arrangement to achieve effective surface area for stabilization while maintaining clearance from the arrow rest in any given direction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If offset or pre-curled vanes are used to induce spin, then arrow stabilization improves, but the vanes become stressed, bent, deformed or kinked during manipulation and mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The vanes are pre-assembled on the arrow shaft in a straight, unstressed configuration before flight. The spin-inducing curvature is achieved through the angular arrangement of multiple vanes rather than pre-curving individual vanes, eliminating manufacturing and mounting stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The vanes are arranged at asymmetric angular offsets around the arrow shaft, creating the spin effect through their relative positions rather than through asymmetric curvature of individual vanes. This maintains structural integrity while achieving stabilization.
3Productivity
If slower moving arrows are used with lower energy bows, then accessibility and ease of use improve, but existing vanes do not produce enough spin for notable stabilization
Solution Approach 1:
Each vane is designed with specific local characteristics including optimized surface area distribution and angular positioning to maximize spin induction efficiency. The local geometry of each vane is tailored to work collectively with other vanes to produce adequate spin even at lower arrow velocities.
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 twisted ribbon strip and fin configuration effectively stabilizes slower-moving arrows by inducing consistent spin and aerodynamic stability, while withstanding impacts without deformation, enhancing shot accuracy and arrow flight consistency.
Implementation Method 1
a ribbon strip having a leading ribbon edge that is twisted to induce spin of the projectile during its flight
Implementation Method 2
Vanes produce lift and lateral force on the arrow which in turn stabilizes the arrow's flight pattern by moving the center of pressure rearward
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A vane (10, 10', 10''), for a projectile such as an archery arrow(101) , including a ribbon strip (30) having a leading ribbon edge that is twisted to induce spin of the projectile during its flight. The vane includes a base (20) that mounts to a projectile surface. The ribbon strip extends upward from the base and can be semi-rigid but flexible. The ribbon strip includes an intermediate portion (33) spaced a distance from and free from attachment to the projectile surface so as to form a gap under the intermediate portion. The ribbon strip can include a second ribbon end (32) that is attached to the base rearward of the first end (31). It also can include a fin (40) that extends upward from the base within a gap between the ribbon strip and base. The ribbon strip alternatively can include a cantilevered second ribbon end that is free from attachment to the base and projectile.