Illuminated Sight Point Curved Transition Light Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sighting devices using short segments of light gathering fiber optics suffer from limited light gathering ability under low lighting conditions, resulting in insufficient brightness for the sight point, and sharp transitions in coiled fiber optics lead to light loss and reduced brightness.
Innovation Solution
An elongate light collector with a curved transition section and a coiled section that spirals around it, where the curved section has a large radius of curvature to minimize light loss, enhancing the brightness of the sight point by efficiently transmitting light to the sight point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the fiber optic is coiled to increase light gathering length, then the brightness of the sight point increases, but light loss at sharp bends reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from sharp bends to gradual curved transitions with large radius of curvature. The curved transition section allows the fiber optic to coil while maintaining large bending radii that minimize light loss, resolving the contradiction between increasing light gathering length and reducing light loss at bends.
2Illumination intensity
If a longer length of fiber optic is used to compensate for light loss, then the brightness requirement is met, but the device complexity and length increase
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing curved transitions with large radius of curvature instead of sharp bends, the patent reduces light loss efficiency. This allows achieving the required sight point brightness with a shorter fiber optic length, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining illumination intensity.
3Ease of manufacture
If sharp transitions are used in coiled fiber optic, then the structure is simpler, but light loss increases and brightness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sharp transitions with curved transition sections that have large radius of curvature. This design maintains relative structural simplicity while significantly reducing light loss, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and adequate brightness for the sight point.
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 solution provides a brighter sight point with reduced light loss, allowing for a shorter length of fiber optic to achieve similar brightness compared to prior art solutions, improving visibility in low lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The light collector is formed such that light can be gathered along its length and transmitted to the one end
Implementation Method 2
The curved section has a radius of curvature that is sufficiently large to substantially reduce or eliminate light loss from the curved section
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated sighting device includes an elongate light collector having one end defining a sight point that faces rearwardly for viewing by a user. The light collector is formed such that light can be gathered along its length and transmitted to the one end. The light collector further includes a curved transition section optically coupled with the sight point. The curved transition section has a radius of curvature that is sufficiently large to substantially reduce or eliminate light loss from the curved section and thereby increase a brightness of the sight point.