Weapon sighting device

Abstract

A weapon sight includes a chassis and an optical system. The chassis can be coupled to a firearm. The optical system is coupled to the chassis and includes a light source, a collimator, a mirror, a diffraction grating, and a hologram. The light source is a light emitting diode (LED) that emits light. The collimator receives the light from the light source and reflects the light in parallel rays. A folding mirror receives the light from the collimator and reflects the light in parallel rays. The diffraction grating receives the light from the folded mirror and diffracts the light. The hologram receives the light from the diffraction grating to output a reticle visible to a user of the weapon sight.

Description

weapon sights Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 588,538, filed October 6, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to weapon sights, and more specifically, to holographic weapon sights. Background Technology

[0003] Holographic weapon sights utilize holograms to output aiming lines. Compared to non-holographic weapon sights such as "red dot" sights, holographic weapon sights may have technological advantages and / or be preferred by users. Holographic weapon sights use lasers as a light source to output aiming lines from holograms. However, these lasers have high power consumption and can significantly reduce battery life compared to non-holographic weapon sights with other types of light sources that have comparable battery power. Advantageously, a holographic weapon sight should be provided whose light source has lower power consumption than typical laser light sources. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This document discloses an implementation of a weapon sight. In one implementation, the weapon sight includes a chassis and an optical system. The chassis is mountable to a firearm. The optical system is mounted to the chassis and includes a light source, a collimator, a mirror, a diffraction grating, and a hologram. The light source is a light-emitting diode (LED) that emits light. The collimator receives light from the light source and reflects the light as parallel rays to form a collimated beam, making the light source appear at infinity. The mirror receives the collimated beam from the collimator and reflects the collimated beam. The diffraction grating receives the collimated beam from the mirror and diffracts the light. The hologram receives light from the diffraction grating to output a holographic image of the weapon sight's visible lines.

[0005] The weapon sight may also include electronic components, which include one or more of the following: a power source that supplies power to the LED; an input through which a user provides user input for controlling the LED; and a circuit that controls the output of the LED based on the user input.

[0006] LEDs can have an emission area of ​​approximately 500 square micrometers or smaller from which they emit light, or an emission area of ​​approximately 100 square micrometers or smaller. LEDs can have a peak wavelength between 640 nm and 660 nm, and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of approximately 40 nm or smaller, or approximately 15 nanometers or smaller.

[0007] Light can propagate sequentially from the light source to the collimator, folded mirror, diffraction grating, and hologram along four central segments of the optical path. All four central segments can be within an angle of 45 degrees or less to the vertical plane, with the hologram outputting light horizontally. Three of the four central segments can be within an angle of 30 degrees or less to the vertical plane.

[0008] The dispersion of the diffraction grating and the hologram compensates for each other, resulting in a holographic image of the marker with three MOA or less. The diffraction grating can have an efficiency of 60% or higher. The hologram can have an efficiency of 25% or lower.

[0009] The collimator can be an off-axis parabolic mirror. The collimator can have an efficiency of 95% or higher. The LED's emission area can be located at the focal point of the collimator.

[0010] Active alignment can be used to align the LED with the optical system.

[0011] The weapon sight may also include another folding mirror. Light can propagate sequentially from the other folding mirror along four central segments of the optical path to the collimator, the folding mirror, the diffraction grating, and the hologram. All four central segments can be within an angle of 45 degrees or less to the vertical plane. Three of the four central segments can be within an angle of 30 degrees or less to the vertical plane. Light can propagate from the light source to the other folding mirror along a fifth central segment of the optical path, and this fifth central segment is within an angle of 20 degrees or less to the horizontal plane. Attached Figure Description

[0012] This disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be emphasized that, by convention, the various features in the drawings are not drawn to scale. Instead, for clarity, the dimensions of the various features have been arbitrarily enlarged or reduced.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a weapon sight connected to a firearm.

[0014] Figure 2 is a side view of the weapon sight in Figure 1.

[0015] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the weapon sight of Figure 1, depicting the internal components.

[0016] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the weapon sight in Figure 1, depicting the optical path.

[0017] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the weapon sight in Figure 1, further depicting the optical path.

[0018] Figure 6 is a top view of the collimating reflector of the weapon sight in Figure 1, with the parent reflector used for reference depicted by dashed lines.

[0019] Figure 7 is a side view of the collimating mirror in Figure 6.

[0020] Figure 8 is another side view of the collimating mirror in Figure 6.

[0021] Figure 9 is a side view of the sub-assemblies of the light source and collimator.

[0022] Figure 10 is a rear upper view of the optical components of a weapon sight that are fixed to each other.

[0023] Figure 11 is a front top view of the optical components of the weapon sight shown in Figure 10.

[0024] Figure 12 is a rear upper view of the chassis components of the weapon sight and the optical components in a fixed relationship.

[0025] Figure 13 is a front top view of the components in Figure 12.

[0026] Figure 14 is a rear top view of the chassis in Figure 11.

[0027] Figure 15 is a front top view of the chassis in Figure 11.

[0028] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the components in Figure 12.

[0029] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of another weapon sight, which is a variant of the weapon sights in Figures 1 to 5 and Figures 10 to 16. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Referring to Figure 1, the weapon sight 110 is configured to be mounted on a firearm 100 (e.g., a pistol or rifle) and output a reticle 112 to assist the user in aiming at the firearm 100. More specifically, the weapon sight 110 is configured to output the reticle 112 as a holographic image.

[0031] The weapon sight 110 typically includes a chassis 120, electronics 122, and an optical system 130. The chassis 120 is configured to be attached to the firearm 100, for example, via a Picatinny rail or other mounting configuration. The chassis 120 is attached to the optical system 130 and may, for example, typically contain various components of the optical system 130, and is subsequently mounted to the firearm 100 to support the optical system 130 thereon.

[0032] Optical system 130 is configured to output line 112. The optical system typically includes a light source 140, a collimator 150, a folding mirror 160, a diffraction grating 170, and a hologram 180. Light source 140 emits light that propagates sequentially along optical path 132 (indicated by arrows in Figure 1) from light source 140 to collimator 150, folding mirror 160, diffraction grating 170, and hologram 180. Optical system 130 and its components are discussed in further detail below.

[0033] The weapon sight 110 also includes electronics 122 for operating the weapon sight 110 and, in particular, the light source 140. Electronics 122 may include a power supply 122a, circuitry 122b, and user input 122c. The power supply 122a may be, for example, a battery, such as a primary or secondary battery in a standard format, such as CR123 or CR2302. Circuitry 122b is configured to operate the light source 140, for example, to adjust or otherwise supply power output from the power supply 122a to the light source 140 according to user input 122c and / or to change various functions (e.g., on / off, brightness). User input 122c is configured to receive input from a user, according to which the optical system 130 is operated, for example, to turn the light source 140 on or off, to control the brightness of the light source 140 output, or both.

[0034] Referring to Figures 2 through 5, the light source 140 is a light-emitting diode (LED). Compared to a light source that is a laser (e.g., a laser diode), the light emitted by the LED of the light source 140 can have lower power consumption, lower emission intensity, a wider spectral width, and a wider emission angle. For example, if the same battery (e.g., a CR123 with a capacity of 1500 mAh) is used, for a similar brightness level of the target line 112, the battery life of the weapon sight 110 with the LED as the light source 140 can be ten, fifteen, or more times greater than that of another weapon sight with a laser diode as the light source (e.g., 40,000 hours or more versus 2,500 hours). Therefore, the weapon sight 110 offers the advantage of significantly extended battery life compared to another weapon sight with a laser as the light source. However, in order to achieve the output of the caliper 112 with substantially equivalent quantitative and / or qualitative characteristics, the components and arrangement of the optical system 130 in the optical path 132 are different to address the different optical characteristics of the light emitted by the LED of the light source 140 (e.g., lower emission intensity, larger spectral width, and wider emission).

[0035] As described above, the light output from the LED of the light source 140 travels along the optical path 132 sequentially from the light source 140 to the collimator 150, the folded mirror 160, the diffraction grating 170 and the hologram 180, and then to the user's eye 102.

[0036] Light source 140 emits light with a peak wavelength between approximately or substantially 640 nm and 660 nm (e.g., approximately or substantially 650 nm) or other suitable wavelengths. The peak wavelength is the wavelength at which the light emitted by light source 140 has the greatest intensity. The peak wavelength can vary with temperature, for example, from 653 nm to 656 nm in a temperature range of 25 degrees Celsius to 75 degrees Celsius. The peak wavelength may also be referred to as the nominal wavelength. In another example, light source 140 emits light with a peak wavelength between approximately or substantially 510 nm and 530 nm (e.g., approximately or substantially 520 nm). As used herein, the term “approximately” means + / - 2.5% of the original wavelength value (e.g., 650 nm + / - 16 nm), + / - 10% of the spectral width value (e.g., 40 nm + / - 4 nm), + / - 10% of the linear and area dimensions value (e.g., 10 micrometers + / - 1 micrometer), + / - 2 degrees of the angle value (e.g., 45 degrees + / - 2 degrees), and + / - 2% of the percentage value (e.g., 45% + / - 2%). As used herein, the term “substantially” means about half of “approximately” (e.g., + / - 1.25% of the wavelength value).

[0037] Light source 140 may have a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of less than approximately 50 nm, such as less than approximately 40 nm, 30 nm, 20 nm, or 15 nm (e.g., approximately 12 nm). FWHM, or FWHM spectral width, generally refers to the total range of spectral widths in which the light emitted by light source 140 is at least 50% of its maximum intensity (i.e., at the peak wavelength). FWHM may or may not be centered on the peak wavelength, may vary with the peak wavelength, or both.

[0038] The light source 140 may have an emitting region from which it emits light that is less than about 1,000 square micrometers (e.g., 500 square micrometers, 200 square micrometers, 100 square micrometers or less). For example, the emitting region may have a diameter of 40 micrometers, 30 micrometers, 20 micrometers or 10 micrometers or less (e.g., about equal to 10 micrometers).

[0039] Light source 140 can be considered to have a peak axis 442, which is an axis originating from the emission region and extending through the point or region where the light emitted by light source 140 is at its maximum intensity. The half-intensity angle of light source 140 can be between approximately 20 degrees and 70 degrees, such as between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, between 40 degrees and 50 degrees, such as approximately 45 degrees. The half-intensity angle is the angle between the peak axis 442 and the position where the intensity of the emitted light is half of the peak intensity. The half-intensity angle can be approximately rotationally symmetric, such that the half-intensity angle forms an approximately right circular cone, with the peak axis 442 of light source 140 extending from the peak through the center of the cone shape, and the half-intensity angle extending from the peak and forming a curved side of the cone shape.

[0040] The light source 140 and collimator 150 are cooperatively configured such that the collimator 150 collects the light emitted by the light source 140 and reflects the light as parallel rays (i.e., collimated light). The light reflected by the collimator 150 as parallel rays can be referred to as collimated light or collimated beam. The collimator 150 can be, for example, a parabolic mirror, such as an off-axis parabolic mirror. The collimator 150 can also be referred to as a collimating mirror, a parabolic mirror, or an off-axis parabolic mirror.

[0041] Referring to Figures 6 through 8, the collimator 150 typically includes a first surface 652 and a second surface 654 opposite to the first surface 652. The first surface 652 is a reflective surface configured to reflect light received from the light source 140. For example, by having a suitable surface finish and / or reflective coating, the first surface 652 may have a reflectivity of approximately 95%, 98%, 99%, or more (e.g., approximately 99.5%) of the light emitted by the light source 140 and incident on (e.g., received therefrom) the first surface 652 of the collimator 150 (e.g., peak bandwidth at different temperatures, or a portion of the spectral bandwidth therearound, such as the FWHM spectral width or a portion thereof).

[0042] Various dimensional characteristics of the collimator 150 can be defined relative to the parent mirror 650. The collimator 150 can be cut from the parent mirror 650 or can be formed independently of the parent mirror, and the characteristics of the collimator 150 can be defined relative to the parent mirror.

[0043] The first surface 652 of the collimator 150 is curved. As described above, the collimator 150 may be an off-axis parabolic mirror, such that the first surface 652 is a concave surface having a parabolic shape (e.g., forming part of a parabola). The curvature of the first surface 652 may, for example, provide a parent focal length of about 50 mm or less, such as about 38 mm, 25 mm, 20 mm or less (e.g., about 10 mm to 20 mm, such as about 15 mm to 18 mm (e.g., 16.7 mm)). Note that the parent focal length F is measured along the optical axis 650a of the parent mirror 650 from the optical vertex 650b to the focal point 650c. In the case that the collimator 150 is an off-axis parabolic mirror, the optical axis 650a, the optical vertex 650b, and the focal point 650c are offset by an offset distance D from the edge of the collimator 150.

[0044] The second surface 654 may be planar, which can help orient the collimator 650 or the sub-assemblies of the light source 140 and collimator 150 to other optical components of the optical system 130, the chassis 120, or both. The second surface 654 may, for example, be perpendicular to the collimated light reflected by the first surface 652.

[0045] The aperture of collimator 150 can be defined in a first dimension and a second dimension (e.g., a first axis and a second axis, such as the X-axis and Y-axis), the first dimension and the second dimension being perpendicular to each other and intersecting, and perpendicular to and intersecting the optical axis 650a of collimator 150 at optical vertex 650b. The aperture (or width) (which may be referred to as the first aperture A1) in the first dimension (i.e., along the first axis 650d) is offset by an offset distance D from the optical axis 650a and the second axis 650e. The offset distance D may be, for example, between 0 mm and 10 mm, such as between 1 mm and 5 mm (e.g., between 2 mm and 3 mm, such as approximately 2.5 mm). The first aperture A1 may be, for example, 50 mm or less, such as less than 35 mm, 15 mm, 10 mm or less (e.g., approximately 9.5 mm). The aperture (or width) of the second dimension (which may be referred to as the second aperture A2) may be, for example, 100 mm or less, such as less than about 75 mm, 50 mm, 40 mm, 30 mm or less (e.g., about 29.5 mm). Although depicted as having a straight cross-section, the collimator 150 may have any other suitable cross-sectional shape.

[0046] Referring to Figures 9 and 10 through 16, the light source 140 and the collimator 150 are connected to each other in a fixed relationship, for example, as a sub-assembly 934, which is subsequently connected to the chassis 120 (as shown in Figure 9) or independently connected to the chassis 120 (as shown in Figures 10 through 16).

[0047] As further shown in Figure 9, in a fixed relationship (whether in subassembly 934 or independently connected to chassis 120), light source 140 and collimator 150 are positioned relative to each other such that the emission region of light source 140 is approximately or substantially located at the focal point 650c of collimator 150, for example, a distance along optical axis 650a from optical vertex 650b equal to the focal length F. The emission region may also be referred to as the emission surface.

[0048] Also in a fixed relationship, the light source 140 and collimator 150 are further oriented relative to each other such that the peak axis 442 of the light emitted by the light source 140 is incident on the collimator 150, for example, in its central region (e.g., within 50%, 25%, 10%, or 5% or less of each of the first aperture A1 and the second aperture A2, such as at its midpoint). For example, the light source 140 may be oriented relative to the collimator 150 such that the angle 944 (which may be referred to as the central ray angle 946) between the peak axis 142 of the light source 140 and the optical axis 650a of the collimator 150 (or the light reflected by the collimator 150) is between approximately 5 degrees and 45 degrees (e.g., approximately 10 to 40 degrees, 15 to 35 degrees, 20 to 30 degrees, 22 to 27 degrees, such as approximately 24 degrees).

[0049] Referring again to Figures 3 through 5, the folding mirror 160 is configured to receive and reflect light from the collimator 150. More specifically, the folding mirror 160 is configured to reflect the collimated beam received from the collimator 150 and maintain the non-collimated form of the light (i.e., keep the rays parallel). The light reflected by the folding mirror 160 may be referred to as collimated light, collimated beam, reflected collimated light, or reflected collimated beam. For example, the folding mirror 160 has a first surface that is reflective and planar. The first surface 362 may have a reflectivity of approximately 95%, 98%, 99%, or more (e.g., approximately 99.5%) of the light emitted by the light source 140 and incident on (e.g., received thereon) on the first surface of the collimator 150 (e.g., received thereon) (e.g., a peak bandwidth at different temperatures, or a portion of the spectral bandwidth around which, for example, the FWHM spectral width, or a portion thereof), and may have a suitable surface finish and / or reflective coating. The area of ​​the first surface 362 of the folding mirror 160 is adapted to receive and reflect substantially all the light reflected by the first surface 652 of the collimator 150 (e.g., 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or more), for example, its surface area is approximately equal to the surface area of ​​the first surface 652 of the collimator (e.g., to resolve differences due to the curvature of the first surface 652, for example, within the range of 20%, 10% or less of its angle).

[0050] Referring again to Figures 3 through 5, the diffraction grating 170 and the hologram 180 are cooperatively configured to resolve the relatively large FWHM spectral distribution of the light emitted by the light source 140 to output a caliper with appropriate resolution (e.g., six, three, or one MOA). For example, the dispersion of the diffraction grating 170 and the hologram 180 is configured to compensate for each other (e.g., are opposite and slightly unequal values). If the hologram 180 receives the collimated beam directly from the collimator 150 or the folded mirror 160, the holographic image will appear blurry due to the relatively large FWHM of the light output from the light source 140. This use of the diffraction grating 170 (i.e., resolving the relatively large FWHM to provide holographic image resolution) for the weapon sight 110 of the present invention, which has an LED as the light source 140, differs in principle from its use in laser-based holographic weapon sights. In laser-based holographic weapon sights, diffraction gratings are used instead to address positional drift (rather than image resolution) of the holographic reticle image, which would otherwise be caused by peak bandwidth shifts due to temperature variations (see U.S. Patent No. 6,490,060 for Laser-Based Holographic Weapon Sights).

[0051] Each of the diffraction grating 170 and the hologram 180 has relatively high efficiency. The diffraction grating 170 is a reflection grating, which can be, for example, a volume phase holographic grating having a cover glass 370a, a back glass 370c, and a recording material 370b therebetween. The diffraction grating 170 can have high efficiency, for example, by diffracting or transmitting 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or more of the light received therefrom (e.g., a reflected collimated beam from the folded mirror 160 and its peak bandwidth at different temperatures, or a portion of the spectral bandwidth around it, such as the FWHM spectral width or a portion thereof) into the hologram 180.

[0052] Hologram 180 is a transmission hologram and may be, for example, a volume phase hologram having a cover glass 380a, a back glass 380c, and a recording material 380b therebetween. Hologram 180 may have an efficiency of approximately 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, or lower, which can provide a desired resolution, such as one MOA. Compared to hologram 180, collimator 150, folded mirror 160, and diffraction grating 170 may have relatively high efficiencies to capture and utilize more light emitted by light source 140, which may not be necessary for laser-based holographic weapon sights. For example, diffraction grating 180 may have two, three, four, five, or more times the efficiency of hologram 170.

[0053] Referring again to Figures 3 through 5 and Figures 10 through 16, the components of the optical system 130 are arranged in a horizontally compact manner, with the horizontal plane parallel to the light emitted by the hologram 180 toward the user. For example, as shown in Figure 16, the four central segments 1632-1, 1632-2, 1632-3, and 1632-4 extending along the light path 132 and between the centers of those surfaces of the optical components of the optical system 130 that receive or transmit light (e.g., the emitting region of the light source 140, the first surface 152 of the collimator 150, the first surface of the folded mirror 160, the exposed surface of the cover glass 370a of the diffraction grating 170, and the exposed surface of the cover glass 380a of the hologram 180) are all within the range of angles of 45 degrees, 40 degrees, 35 degrees, or 30 degrees or less with respect to the vertical plane. For example, three of the four central segments (such as central segments 1632-1, 1632-2, and 1632-3) may be within the range of 35, 30, or 25 degrees or less with respect to the vertical plane, while the other of the four central segments (e.g., central segment 1632-4 between diffraction grating 170 and hologram 180) may be within the range of 45, 40, or 35 degrees or less with respect to the vertical plane.

[0054] As shown in Figures 3 to 5 and Figures 10 to 16, the light source 140 is positioned substantially vertically between the hologram 180 and the collimator 150, for example, below the hologram 180 and above the collimator 150, such that different lines within a range of 15 degrees, 10 degrees, or less angles to the vertical plane pass through the emitting region of the light source 140 and the first surface 652 of the hologram 180 or collimator 150. The light source 140, such as its emitting region or other portions thereof (e.g., a circuit board), may extend rearward (i.e., toward the user) beyond one or all other optical components of the optical system 130 (i.e., behind the collimator 150, the folding mirror 160, the diffraction grating 170, and / or the hologram 180). The light source 140 is also positioned behind any direct path along which light travels from the collimator 150 to the folding mirror 160, so as not to interfere with it.

[0055] Collimator 150 is positioned substantially vertically below light source 140 (as described above) and below folding mirror 160, for example, such that a vertical line (or a substantially vertical line within a range of 15 degrees, 10 degrees, or less angled to the vertical plane) passes through both collimator 150 and folding mirror 160. Collimator 150 (e.g., first surface 652, second surface 654, or both) may extend below one or all other optical components of optical system 130 (i.e., below light source 140, folding mirror 160, diffraction grating 170, and / or hologram 180, such as below their functional surfaces or media for receiving and / or processing light, their other structural aspects, or both).

[0056] The folded mirror 160 is positioned above the collimator 150 (as described above) and also above the diffraction grating 170, for example, such that a vertical line (or a generally vertical line within a range of 15 degrees, 10 degrees, or less angled to the vertical plane) passes through the folded mirror 160 and the diffraction grating 170. The folded mirror 160 (e.g., its reflective surface) may extend above one or all other optical components of the optical system 130 (i.e., above the light source 140, collimator 150, diffraction grating 170, and / or hologram 180), for example, above its functional surfaces for receiving and / or processing light, other structural aspects thereof, or both.

[0057] The diffraction grating 170 is positioned below the folded mirror 160 (as described above). The diffraction grating 170 (e.g., its functional surface or medium) may extend forward (i.e., away from the user) beyond one or all other optical components of the optical system 130 (i.e., in front of the light source 140, collimator 150, folded mirror 160, and / or hologram 180), for example, in front of its functional surface or medium for receiving and / or processing light, its other structural aspects, or both. The diffraction grating 170 and the light source 140 (such as the emission region and / or another portion (e.g., a circuit board)) may overlap in height such that a horizontal line passes through both optical components.

[0058] Hologram 180 is positioned above collimator 150 (as described above), and may also be positioned such that a vertical line (or a generally vertical line within a range of 15 degrees, 10 degrees, or less angled to the vertical plane) passes through both hologram 180 and collimator 150. Hologram 180 (e.g., its functional surface or medium) is located behind (i.e., toward the user) any direct path along which light can be transmitted from collimator 150 to folding mirror 160 (e.g., without blocking or otherwise interfering with the collimated beam that would otherwise be transmitted from collimator 150 to folding mirror 160).

[0059] Furthermore, referring to Figure 3, the weapon sight 110 may include a baffle 342 disposed between the light source 140 (i.e., its emission area) and the diffraction grating 170, such that light cannot be directly transmitted from the light source 140 to the diffraction grating 170. The baffle 342 may, for example, be constructed as an opaque member, attached to the chassis 120 and disposed between the light source 140 and the diffraction grating 170, but behind any direct path along which light can be transmitted from the collimator 150 to the folding mirror 160 and from the folding mirror 160 to the diffraction grating 170.

[0060] As shown in Figure 9 and as described above, the light source 140 and collimator 150 can be connected to each other to form a sub-assembly 934, which is in turn connected to the chassis 120. More specifically, each of the light source 140 and collimator 150 is individually connected to a sub-chassis 934a, together forming the sub-assembly 934. The sub-chassis 934a is a generally rigid structure formed by one or more components. The sub-chassis 934a is configured to connect to the chassis 120, which may include cooperative alignment features such that the sub-chassis 934a, and thus the light source 140 and collimator 150, are properly positioned and oriented relative to the other components of the optical system 130. Further discussion of the entry of the light source 140 and collimator 150 into the optical system follows in greater detail.

[0061] Alternatively, as shown in Figures 10 through 15, the light source 140 and collimator 150 are independently fixedly coupled to the chassis 120, and other optical components of the folded mirror 160, diffraction grating 170, and hologram 180 are fixedly coupled to the chassis (e.g., independently fixedly coupled to the chassis). The chassis 120 may be or include a single structural component (e.g., a monolith) formed, for example by injection molding and / or machining, to which one or more optical components (e.g., all) are directly coupled (e.g., adhered) or a sub-part of an optical component (e.g., less than all) is indirectly coupled (e.g., via sub-chassis 934a in sub-assembly 934). The single structural component may be formed from any suitable material by any suitable process, for example by injection molding or otherwise molding a polymer or composite material and / or by machining. The chassis 120 may be positioned within and coupled to a housing (e.g., formed as shown in Figure 2).

[0062] The chassis 120 is a generally rigid structure formed by one or more components, which are generally rectangular-cubic in shape having an upper, lower, left, right, front, and rear portion. A portion of the chassis 120 defines a central aperture 1032 through which a user views the reticle 112 output by the hologram 180 and the target covered by the reticle 112.

[0063] The chassis 120 defines the mounting position of each optical component in the optical assembly, including the light source 140, collimator 150, folding mirror 160, diffraction grating 170, and hologram 180. In the case of a sub-assembly 934 of the light source 140 and collimator 150, the chassis 120 defines the mounting position of the sub-assembly 934. The chassis 120 may also include positioning features for positioning and orienting the optical components relative to the chassis 120 and thus relative to each other in the mounting position in the manner described above. For example, when the optical components are coupled (e.g., fastened and / or adhered) to the chassis 120, each positioning feature constrains the movement of the associated optical component to aid in manufacturing.

[0064] The chassis 120 may include light source positioning features 1424, which typically include a flat surface on which the circuit board of the light source 140 abuts for positioning and connection, an upper protrusion extending above the flat surface to restrict forward movement of the light source 140, and left and right protrusions extending above the flat surface to restrict left and right movement of the light source.

[0065] However, it should be noted that the light source 140 can be actively aligned and connected to the chassis 120 or sub-chassis 934a, whereby the light source 140 emits light and its output is measured (e.g., reflected from collimator 150 and / or through hologram 180), while adjusting the position and / or orientation of the light source 140 until the desired output is measured, at which point the light source 140 is permanently fixed (e.g., adhered) to the chassis 120 or sub-chassis 934a. In the case of active alignment, a flat surface can be provided for connecting the light source 140 to the chassis 120 without requiring additional positioning features. The light source positioning feature 1424 can typically be formed in the rear portion of the chassis 120 and project rearward from the peripheral portion of the chassis 120. After being connected to the chassis 120 (e.g., using fasteners and / or adhesives), the light source 140 remains in a fixed position and orientation relative to the chassis 120.

[0066] The chassis 120 may include collimator positioning features 1425 that typically define a recess into which the collimator 150 is inserted. The collimator positioning features 1425 are used to position and orient the collimator 150 relative to the chassis 120 and thus relative to other optical components of the optical system 130. The collimator positioning features 1425 may include, for example, a lower surface that typically restricts downward movement, left and right surfaces that typically restrict lateral movement, and a front surface that typically restricts forward movement. The collimator positioning features 1425 may typically be formed in the lower portion of the chassis 120. After being attached to the chassis 120 (e.g., using fasteners and / or adhesives), the collimator 150 remains in a fixed position and orientation relative to the chassis 120.

[0067] The chassis 120 may include mirror positioning features 1426 that typically define a slot in which the folding mirror 160 is inserted. The mirror positioning features 1426 are used to position and orient the folding mirror 160 relative to the chassis 120 and thus relative to other optical components of the optical system 130. The mirror positioning features 1426 may include, for example, front and rear surfaces that typically constrain forward and rearward movement, and lower surfaces (e.g., flanges) adjacent to the front and rear surfaces that typically constrain downward movement. The mirror positioning features 1426 may typically be formed in the upper portion of the chassis 120. After being attached to the chassis 120 (e.g., using fasteners and / or adhesives), the folding mirror 160 remains in a fixed position and orientation relative to the chassis 120.

[0068] The chassis 120 may include grating positioning features 1427 that typically define a slot into which the diffraction grating 170 is inserted. The slot or recess is disposed on a first side (such as the front side) of the chassis and is configured to receive the grating 170 through the first side. The grating positioning features 1427 are used to position and orient the diffraction grating 170 relative to the chassis 120 and thus relative to other optical components of the optical system 130. The grating positioning features 1427 may include, for example, left and right surfaces that typically constrain lateral movement, a lower surface that typically constrains downward movement, and a rear surface that typically constrains rearward movement. The grating positioning features 1427 may typically be formed in the front portion of the chassis 120. After being attached to the chassis 120 (e.g., using fasteners and / or adhesives), the diffraction grating 170 remains in a fixed position and orientation relative to the chassis 120.

[0069] The chassis 120 may include holographic positioning features 1428 that typically define a recess into which the hologram 180 is inserted. The recess (e.g., a second recess) is located on a second side of the chassis 120, such as a rear side or otherwise opposite a first side of the chassis 120, and is configured to receive the hologram through the second side. The holographic positioning features 1428 are used to position and orient the hologram 180 relative to the base 120 and thus relative to other optical components of the optical system 130. The holographic positioning features 1428 may include, for example, upper and lower surfaces that typically constrain vertical movement, left and right surfaces that typically constrain lateral movement, and one or more front surfaces that typically constrain forward movement. The holographic positioning features 1428 may typically be formed in the rear portion of the chassis 120. After being attached to the chassis 120 (e.g., using fasteners and / or adhesives), the hologram 180 remains in a fixed position and orientation relative to the chassis 120.

[0070] Referring to Figure 17, weapon sight 1710 is a variant of weapon sight 110 and includes optical system 1730 as a variant of optical system 130. Weapon sight 1710 can be constructed in the manner previously described generally for weapon sight 110, although optical system 1730 includes another folding mirror 1790 arranged between light source 140 and collimator 150. In weapon sight 1710, folding mirror 160 may be referred to as first folding mirror 170, and the other folding mirror 1790 may be referred to as second folding mirror 1790.

[0071] Similar to optical system 130, the optical components of optical system 1730 are also arranged in a horizontally compact manner. The central segment 1732-1, extending along the optical path between light source 140 and the second reflector 1745, can be substantially horizontal (e.g., within the range of 20 degrees, 15 degrees, 10 degrees, or less angled to the horizontal plane). The central segment 1732-5, extending along the optical path between the second reflector 1745 and collimator 150, can be within the range of 45 degrees, 40 degrees, 35 degrees, or 30 degrees angled to the vertical plane. Furthermore, three or four of the central segments 1632-2, 1632-3, 1632-4, and 1732-6 (such as central segments 1632-2, 1632-3, and 1732-5) may be within the range of 35 degrees, 30 degrees, or 25 degrees or less with respect to the vertical plane, while another of the four central segments (e.g., central segment 1632-4 between diffraction grating 170 and hologram 180) may be within the range of 45 degrees, 40 degrees, or 35 degrees or less with respect to the vertical plane.

[0072] As shown in Figure 17, the light source 140 is typically located behind the hologram 180 and the collimator 150, at a height between them. The second reflector 1745 is positioned in front of the light source 140 at the height between the hologram 180 and the collimator 150, such that horizontal lines pass through the emission region of the light source 140 and the second reflector 1745, and / or vertical lines pass through the second reflector 1730 and the hologram 180, collimator 150, or both. The second reflector 1745 can be positioned behind any direct path of light from the collimators 150 and 160 along which it travels, so as not to interfere with them. Furthermore, the second reflector 1745 can act as a baffle 342 to prevent light emitted by the light source 140 from directly striking the diffraction grating 170.

[0073] The second reflector 1745 is a folded reflector having a planar and reflective first surface that directly receives light from the light source 140 and reflects the light to the collimator 150. For example, by having a suitable surface finish and / or reflective coating, the first surface of the second reflector 1745 may have a reflectivity of approximately 95%, 98%, 99% or more (e.g., approximately 99.5%) of the light emitted by the light source 140 and incident on its first surface (e.g., a peak bandwidth at different temperatures, or a portion of the spectral bandwidth around it, such as the FWHM spectral width or a portion thereof).

[0074] Collimator 150 is located generally vertically below the second mirror 1730 (as described above) and below the folding mirror 160 (as described above). Collimator 150 may extend below one or all other optical components of optical system 130 (i.e., below light source 140, folding mirror 160, diffraction grating 170 and / or hologram 180).

[0075] The first mirror 160, the diffraction grating 170, and the hologram 180 can be positioned relative to the collimator in the manner previously described for the optical system 130.

[0076] This specification discloses various embodiments of a weapon sight, as follows: Embodiment 1. A weapon sight comprising: a chassis capable of being coupled to a firearm; and an optical system coupled to the chassis, the optical system comprising: a light source, the light source being a light-emitting diode (LED); a collimator receiving the light from the light source and reflecting the light as parallel rays to form a collimated beam; a folding mirror receiving the collimated beam from the collimator and reflecting the collimated beam; a diffraction grating receiving the collimated beam from the folding mirror and diffracting the light of the collimated beam; and a hologram receiving the light from the diffraction grating to output a holographic image of a user-visible reticle of the weapon sight.

[0077] 2. The weapon sight according to embodiment 1 further includes a chassis, wherein the light source, the collimator, the folding mirror, the diffraction grating, and the hologram are coupled to the chassis and positioned relative to each other; wherein the LED has an emitting area of ​​approximately 100 square micrometers or less, and the LED emits light from the emitting area; wherein the LED has a peak wavelength between 640 nm and 660 nm, and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of approximately 40 nm or less; wherein the dispersion of the diffraction grating and the hologram is mutually compensated, such that the holographic image of the caliper is three MOA or less.

[0078] The diffraction grating has an efficiency of 60% or higher, and the hologram has an efficiency of 25% or lower; the collimator is an off-axis parabolic mirror, and the emission region is located at the focal point of the collimator; and the light propagates sequentially from the light source to the collimator, the folded mirror, the diffraction grating, and the hologram along four central segments of the optical path, wherein the four central segments are all within an angle of 45 degrees or less to the vertical plane.

[0079] Implementation Scheme 3. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 1, wherein the LED has an emission area of ​​approximately 500 square micrometers or less, and the LED emits light from the emission area.

[0080] Implementation Scheme 4. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 3, wherein the firing area is approximately 100 square micrometers or smaller.

[0081] Implementation Scheme 5. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 1, wherein the LED has a peak wavelength between 640 nm and 660 nm and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of about 40 nm or less.

[0082] Implementation Scheme 6. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 1, wherein the dispersion of the diffraction grating and the hologram compensates for each other, such that the holographic image of the caliper is three MOA or less.

[0083] Implementation Scheme 7. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 6, wherein the diffraction grating is a volume phase reflection grating and the hologram is a volume phase transmission hologram.

[0084] Implementation Scheme 8. The weapon sight according to any one of Implementation Scheme 6, wherein the diffraction grating has an efficiency of 60% or higher, and the hologram has another efficiency of 25% or lower.

[0085] Implementation Scheme 9. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 1 of C1, wherein the collimator is an off-axis parabolic mirror.

[0086] Implementation Scheme 10. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 9, wherein the LED includes a emitting area from which light is emitted and the emitting area is located at the focal point of the collimator.

[0087] Implementation Scheme 11. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 1, wherein the light propagates sequentially from the light source to the collimator, the folded mirror, the diffraction grating and the hologram along four central segments of the optical path, wherein the four central segments are all within a range of 45 degrees or less from the vertical plane.

[0088] Implementation Scheme 12. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 11, wherein three of the four center segments are within a range of 30 degrees or less of an angle with the vertical plane.

[0089] Implementation Scheme 13. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 1 further includes another folding mirror, wherein light propagates sequentially from the other folding mirror along four central segments of the optical path to the collimator, the folding mirror, the diffraction grating and the hologram, wherein the four central segments are all within a range at an angle of 45 degrees or less to the vertical plane.

[0090] Implementation Scheme 14. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 1 further includes a chassis, the chassis including positioning features, wherein the light source, the collimator, the folding reflector, the diffraction grating and the hologram are positioned relative to each other through the positioning features.

[0091] Implementation Scheme 15. A weapon sight, comprising: a light source, said light source being a light-emitting diode (LED); a collimator, said collimator receiving the light from said light source and reflecting the light as parallel rays to form a collimated beam; a folding mirror, said folding mirror receiving the collimated beam from said collimator and reflecting the collimated beam; a diffraction grating, said diffraction grating receiving the collimated beam from said folding mirror and diffracting the light of said collimated beam; and a hologram, said hologram receiving the light from said diffraction grating to output a holographic image of a user-visible reticle of said weapon sight; wherein said light propagates sequentially from said light source to said collimator, said folding mirror, said diffraction grating and said hologram along four central segments of an optical path, wherein said four central segments are all within an angle of 45 degrees or less to a vertical plane.

[0092] Implementation Scheme 16. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 15, wherein three of the four center segments are within a range of 30 degrees or less of an angle with the vertical plane.

[0093] Implementation Scheme 17. The weapon sight according to Implementation Scheme 15 further includes another folding mirror, wherein light propagates sequentially from the other folding mirror along four central segments of the optical path to the collimator, the folding mirror, the diffraction grating, and the hologram, wherein the four central segments are all within a range at an angle of 45 degrees or less to the vertical plane.

[0094] Implementation Scheme 18. A weapon sight comprising: a chassis capable of being coupled to a firearm; and an optical system coupled to the chassis, the optical system comprising: a light source, the light source being a light-emitting diode (LED) emitting light; a collimator receiving the light from the light source and reflecting the light as parallel rays to form a collimated beam; a folding mirror receiving the collimated beam from the collimator and reflecting the collimated beam; a diffraction grating receiving the collimated beam from the folding mirror and diffracting the light of the collimated beam; and a hologram receiving the light from the diffraction grating to output a holographic image of a user-visible reticle of the weapon sight; wherein the chassis includes positioning features through which the light source, the collimator, the folding mirror, the diffraction grating, and the hologram are positioned relative to each other.

[0095] 19. The weapon sight according to embodiment 18, wherein the chassis is a single component, and at least a majority of the light source, the collimator, the folding mirror, the diffraction grating, and the hologram are directly coupled to the single component.

[0096] 20. The weapon sight according to embodiment 19, wherein the chassis defines a first recess in a first side, in which the hologram is received, and defines a second recess in a second side, in which the hologram is received, the second side being opposite to the first side.

[0097] While this disclosure has been described in conjunction with certain embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, this disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which is subject to the broadest interpretation in order to cover all such modifications and equivalent structures permitted by law.

Claims

1. A weapon sight, comprising: A chassis that can be connected to a firearm; An optical system coupled to the chassis includes: a light source, which is a light-emitting diode (LED) that emits light; a collimator that receives the light from the light source and reflects the light as parallel rays to form a collimated beam; a folding mirror that receives the collimated beam from the collimator and reflects the collimated beam; a diffraction grating that receives the collimated beam from the folding mirror and diffracts the light of the collimated beam; and a hologram that receives the light from the diffraction grating to output a holographic image of a user-visible reticle of the weapon sight.

2. The weapon sight of claim 1, wherein the LED has an emission area of ​​approximately 500 square micrometers or less, and the LED emits light from the emission area.

3. The weapon sight of claim 2, wherein the firing area is approximately 100 square micrometers or smaller.

4. The weapon sight according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the LED has a peak wavelength between 640 nm and 660 nm and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of about 40 nm or less.

5. The weapon sight of claim 4, wherein the FWHM is approximately 15 nanometers or less.

6. The weapon sight according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispersion of the diffraction grating and the hologram is mutually compensated, such that the holographic image of the caliper has three MOA or less.

7. The weapon sight of claim 7, wherein the diffraction grating is a volume phase reflection grating, and the hologram is a volume phase transmission hologram.

8. The weapon sight according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the diffraction grating has an efficiency of 60% or higher, and the hologram has another efficiency of 25% or lower.

9. The weapon sight according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collimator is an off-axis parabolic mirror.

10. The weapon sight of claim 9, wherein the LED includes a emitting area from which light is emitted and the emitting area is located at the focal point of the collimator.

11. The weapon sight according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light propagates sequentially from the light source to the collimator, the folded mirror, the diffraction grating, and the hologram along four central segments of the optical path, wherein the four central segments are all within a range at an angle of 45 degrees or less to the vertical plane.

12. The weapon sight of claim 11, wherein three of the four center segments are within an angle of 30 degrees or less to the vertical plane.

13. The weapon sight according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising another folding mirror, wherein light propagates sequentially from the other folding mirror to the collimator, the folding mirror, the diffraction grating and the hologram along four central segments of the optical path, wherein the four central segments are all within an angle of 45 degrees or less to the vertical plane.

14. The weapon sight of claim 13, wherein three of the four center segments are within an angle of 30 degrees or less to the vertical plane.

15. The weapon sight according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein light propagates from the light source to the other folding mirror along a fifth central segment of the optical path, and the fifth central segment is within a range of 20 degrees or less of an angle with the horizontal plane.

Images