Contrasting Color Peep Sight for Low-Light Archery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Peep sights for archery and firearms are difficult to see through in low-light conditions, and their cylindrical bores can impede visual clarity, especially for colorblind or color-impaired shooters, making it challenging to aim accurately.
Innovation Solution
The design features interchangeable and non-interchangeable peep sights with dual contrasting colors and adjustable aperture sizes, allowing light to funnel through and providing easy recognition in low-light conditions, suitable for all skill levels, including color-impaired users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cylindrical bore peep aperture is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but visual clarity and target visibility are impeded in low light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The peep aperture is divided into multiple segments including a front section, rear section, and intermediate section with different geometric configurations. Each segment serves a specific optical function: the front section defines the aperture opening, the intermediate section controls light reflection, and the rear section manages light funneling. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by creating a complex optical path that improves visual clarity while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the peep aperture are given different local qualities - the front section has a specific diameter for target visibility, the intermediate section has reflective surfaces at controlled angles, and the rear section has a funnel shape. This local differentiation allows each part to optimize its function for light management, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and visual clarity by making the structure complex only where optically necessary.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a frusto-conical recess design is used to deflect light, then target visibility may be improved, but too much light is deflected making it difficult to focus in low light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The peep aperture design incorporates dynamic light management through adjustable aperture sizes and selectable configurations. The system can adapt between different aperture openings (e.g., 7/32 inch, 3/16 inch, 1/8 inch) depending on lighting conditions. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the user to optimize between target visibility and light intensity based on environmental conditions rather than being fixed in one configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key parameters including aperture diameter, recess angles, and surface reflectivity to optimize performance. The intermediate section has reflective surfaces at specific angles (e.g., 30-60 degrees) that can be adjusted to control the amount of light deflection. By varying these parameters, the system resolves the contradiction between deflecting enough light for target visibility while maintaining sufficient illumination for focusing in low light conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-color peep sight is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but colorblind or color-impaired shooters cannot easily locate the peep
Solution Approach 1:
The peep sight incorporates multiple colors or contrasting color combinations (e.g., black with orange, blue with yellow, or fluorescent accents) to enhance visibility and locate the peep sight. This color differentiation resolves the contradiction by making the peep easily locatable for all users including color-impaired shooters, while the manufacturing process uses standard anodizing or painting techniques that remain relatively simple and cost-effective.
4Device complexity
If the aperture size is fixed, then the device is simpler, but users cannot adapt to different lighting conditions and skill levels
Solution Approach 1:
The peep sight system provides multiple aperture sizes and configurations that can be selected based on shooting conditions, skill level, and personal preference. The system includes interchangeable inserts or adjustable mechanisms that allow users to switch between different aperture diameters and optical configurations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the device adaptable to various conditions while maintaining relatively simple individual components that can be manufactured using standard processes.
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
Enhances visual clarity and accuracy by allowing shooters to easily locate and focus on the peep sight in various lighting conditions, improving aiming precision, especially in low-light situations.
Implementation Method 1
Both peeps have an open back allowing light to gather and funnel and up through the peep face
Implementation Method 2
The dual contrasting colors were selected to allow all skill levels and including color impaired the ability to see the peep
Data Source
AI summary
A sight, especially a peep sight for bows or firearms, having two parts of contrasting colors including a first housing part or a first color and a second insert part of a second, contrasting color/tone, received within a bore formed through the first housing part. The insert can have one of a plurality of selectable aperture widths depending upon the lighting conditions and use desired and may be permanently press fit into the housing or, alternately, threaded into the housing so that the peep includes an insert having contrasting color/tone with the housing to thereby create concentric rings of different colors around the peep hole.