Configurable BDC Reticle for Dynamic Holdover Mark Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ballistic drop compensation (BDC) reticles in optical aiming devices have static patterns that do not account for specific weapon and ammunition pairings, leading to inaccurate bullet drop predictions due to variations in humidity, elevation, temperature, and other factors, requiring calibration and experience to adjust.
Innovation Solution
A configurable BDC reticle system that uses user-selected ranges and ballistics input data to determine and project customizable holdover marks based on the ballistic trajectory of a particular weapon and ammunition pairing, allowing for precise adjustments and improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a static BDC reticle pattern is used, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the reticle cannot accurately represent bullet drop for specific weapon and ammunition pairings due to variations in humidity, elevation, temperature, and other factors
Solution Approach 1:
The reticle pattern transitions from a static fixed design to a dynamic configurable system where holdover marks can be repositioned along the reticle based on different ballistic trajectories. The system allows users to adjust the vertical positions of holdover marks to match specific weapon and ammunition combinations, enabling accurate bullet drop compensation across multiple configurations without requiring multiple physical reticles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameters of holdover marks within the reticle pattern to accommodate different ballistic scenarios. By adjusting the vertical positions of these marks along the reticle based on calculated ballistic trajectories for specific weapon-ammunition pairings, the system maintains measurement precision while using a single adaptable reticle structure rather than multiple fixed-pattern reticles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-position BDC holdover marks are used, then the reticle design and manufacturing are simplified, but the ranges represented vary significantly depending on environmental factors and ammunition characteristics, requiring calibration and experience
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of ballistic trajectories for specific weapon and ammunition pairings before the shooter needs to use the reticle. By pre-configuring the holdover mark positions based on computed ballistic data, the system eliminates the need for shooters to perform calibration or rely on experience to determine accurate range representations. The reticle is prepared in advance with the correct holdover positions for the selected ammunition type.
3Measurement precision
If multiple static reticles are provided for different weapon and ammunition pairings, then each reticle can be optimized for its specific pairing, but the device complexity and cost increase due to multiple reticle designs
Solution Approach 1:
The reticle system achieves multi-functionality by enabling a single reticle to serve multiple purposes across different weapon and ammunition pairings. Through the configurable holdover marks that can be repositioned based on ballistic trajectory calculations, one universal reticle replaces the need for multiple specialized reticles, each optimized for a specific ammunition type. This reduces the quantity of reticles from many to one while maintaining optimized accuracy for each pairing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and device for configuring an optical aiming device for ballistic drop compensation (BDC). The optical aiming device can include a housing with a reticle pane defining a reticle display field viewable by a user and indicating a zero point, the housing further including a plurality of axially spaced lenses and defining an optical path therethrough. In various embodiments the system includes a display device configured to project an image generated from a display, a processor, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer readable data storage medium can include instructions executable by the processor to receive a first set of ballistics input data indicating a first type of ammunition, determine a BDC pattern including at least two holdover marks corresponding to at least two ranges for the first type of ammunition, and project the BDC pattern onto the reticle display field.