Auto-illuminating Dry Fire Target Using Passive Optical Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry fire training systems require calibration and often rely on batteries, making them costly and inconvenient for novice users, who may struggle to configure the systems effectively.
Innovation Solution
A portable, battery-free dry fire training apparatus that uses a beam splitter lens and diffuser element to illuminate brightly upon a laser pulse strike, distributing beam energy over the lens surface without the need for power sources, allowing for effective training without batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic targets are used to provide training feedback, then training effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to batteries and electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the battery and electronic control components from the target system. The illumination function is achieved purely through optical components (beam splitter lens and diffuser element) that passively convert laser energy into visible light, eliminating the need for power sources and electronic circuitry while maintaining training feedback capability
Solution Approach 2:
The target apparatus is designed to be self-powered by the incoming laser beam itself. The laser pulse strikes the beam splitter lens, which automatically directs light to the diffuser element, creating illumination without requiring any external power source, switches, or electronic control systems
2Illumination intensity
If batteries are used to power electronic targets, then illumination and feedback are provided, but maintenance requirements increase due to regular battery replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completely removes the battery component from the system. The beam splitter lens and diffuser element create illumination through passive optical processes, eliminating the need for replaceable power sources and reducing maintenance to virtually zero
3Measurement precision
If laser beam energy is concentrated at a single point, then precise hit detection is achieved, but illumination intensity is insufficient for visible feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter lens segments the incoming laser beam into multiple reflected paths, and the diffuser element further divides the light into numerous scattered beams. This segmentation distributes the laser energy across a wide area of the target face, creating bright visible illumination while the precise point of initial laser impact remains detectable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the concentrated laser energy (one-dimensional point impact) into two-dimensional area illumination through the beam splitter lens and diffuser element. The laser hit location is preserved as the origin point while the light energy is distributed across the target surface in a different spatial dimension
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 apparatus provides a cost-effective, user-friendly solution for dry fire training by illuminating brightly in response to laser hits, enhancing training value and accessibility for gun owners without the need for battery replacement.
Implementation Method 1
the laser may be distributed horizontally across a beam splitter lens and broken into hundreds of smaller beams, which may be reflected into a beam chamber
Implementation Method 2
the beams may strike a beam diffuser element within the chamber and be further broken down into smaller beams
Implementation Method 3
these smaller beams may be reflected back at random angles to the beam splitter lens
Data Source
AI summary
A dry fire training apparatus includes a beam chamber, a beam splitter lens, and a beam diffuser element. The beam chamber has a receiving side, a reflecting side, and at least one sidewall extending therebetween. The beam splitter lens is coupled to the receiving side. The beam splitter lens is configured to receive a laser pulse having a first trajectory therethrough. The beam diffuser element is coupled to the reflecting side and/or the sidewall. The beam diffuser element is configured to diffuse the laser pulse around the beam chamber and reflect the laser pulse at a second trajectory to illuminate the beam splitter lens.