Protective Cap Clamp Ring Retention for Rugged Optical Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective caps for optical devices are easily misplaced or lost, and existing retention methods fail to provide secure, adjustable, and adaptable solutions for repositioning and retention during field use, especially in rugged environments.
Innovation Solution
An attachment device using a clamp ring with a split and fastener assembly, combined with an elastic cord, allows for adjustable and secure retention of protective caps on optical devices, enabling them to be positioned over or displaced from the lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional protective caps are made detachable for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates as they are easily misplaced or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment device is divided into separate functional components: a clamp ring for securing to the device body, an elastic cord for retention, and a protective cap for lens coverage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall reliability through their coordinated interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic cord acts as an intermediary element between the clamp ring (attached to the device) and the protective cap. This intermediary provides continuous retention force while allowing the cap to be easily accessed and removed when needed, resolving the contradiction between secure retention and ease of access.
2Device complexity
If retention methods use simple tethers or cords attached directly to the device body, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates as they fail to provide secure retention or convenient repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple retention functions into a single integrated system: the clamp ring provides secure attachment to the device body, the elastic cord provides retention force and repositioning capability, and the projections with apertures provide attachment points. This combination achieves reliable retention without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic cord introduces dynamic elements to the retention system, allowing it to adapt to different positions and provide repositioning capability. The cord can be threaded through different apertures to change the cap's position, and the stopper knots allow for adjustable retention lengths, enhancing reliability while maintaining reasonable simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If existing retention solutions are made fixed in structure, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as they lack adjustability to various device dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp ring incorporates a split and adjustable fastening mechanism that allows it to adapt to different device dimensions and shapes. The fastener can be adjusted to secure the clamp ring firmly around various optical devices, maintaining manufacturing precision of the retention structure while achieving adaptability to different device sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device is designed with universal features: the clamp ring can accommodate various optical devices (flashlights, telescopic sights), the elastic cord can be threaded through different aperture combinations to achieve various retention positions, and the projections with apertures provide multiple attachment points. This multi-functionality achieves adaptability without sacrificing the precision of the retention mechanism.
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 attachment device provides secure, adjustable, and adaptable retention of protective caps, ensuring they remain attached to the device even in rugged conditions, enhancing usability and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic cord configured to couple the protective cap to the clamp ring, the elastic cord having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end extends through the aperture defined by a first one of the projections and through a corresponding first aperture defined in the protective cap, and the second end extends through the aperture defined by a second one of the projections and through a corresponding second aperture defined in the protective cap
Implementation Method 2
a clamp ring defining a central opening configured to receive and frictionally engage a portion of the device adjacent to the lens
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment device for protective caps is disclosed. The attachment device is used in conjunction with an elastic cord to selectively position a protective cap over the lens of a device, such as a flashlight or a telescopic sight, and to retain the protective cap when it is displaced from its position covering the lens.