Dual-Pitch Diopter Adjustment Mechanism for Fast Focus Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diopter adjustments in viewing optics face challenges in balancing quick adjustment with secure locking, particularly in fast focus systems where large pitch threads are prone to self-adjustment when bumped or during use.
Innovation Solution
A diopter adjustment mechanism featuring a scope tube with a first female thread of a larger pitch and a second female thread of a finer pitch on the lands of the first thread, combined with a jam nut having a male thread corresponding to the second female thread, allowing for quick adjustments and secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fine thread pitch is used for diopter adjustment, then the adjustment can be locked tightly with a jam nut, but it takes a long time for the user to reach the desired setting
Solution Approach 1:
The thread system is segmented into two distinct pitches: a first female thread with a first pitch and a second female thread with a second pitch. The jam nut can engage either the first thread for rapid adjustment or the second thread for secure locking, allowing the user to segment the adjustment process into quick positioning followed by stable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thread pitch parameter by providing two different pitches on the same scope tube. The first pitch is optimized for rapid movement (larger pitch), while the second pitch is optimized for secure locking (finer pitch). This parameter variation allows the same component to fulfill two contradictory requirements.
2Loss of time
If a large pitch thread is used for fast focus adjustment, then adjustments can be made quickly, but it is difficult to securely lock the adjustment in place and it will self-adjust when bumped or fired
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment process is segmented into two phases using the two different thread pitches. The first phase uses the larger pitch thread for rapid positioning, and the second phase uses the finer pitch thread for secure locking. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both speed and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The user first performs preliminary adjustment using the larger pitch thread to quickly reach the approximate desired position, then engages the finer pitch thread for final precise locking. This preliminary action with the coarse thread prevents the need for prolonged adjustment time while ensuring final stability.
3Device complexity
If a single thread pitch is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot simultaneously provide both rapid adjustment and secure locking
Solution Approach 1:
The scope tube is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating two different female threads with different pitches on the same component. This allows a single scope tube to provide both rapid adjustment and secure locking capabilities, making the system universally adaptable to different operational requirements without needing separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the thread pitch parameter at different positions on the scope tube, the system achieves different functional characteristics. The first pitch provides one set of characteristics (rapid movement), while the second pitch provides another set (secure locking), allowing the same base component to deliver multiple performance levels.
Data Source
AI summary
A diopter adjustment mechanism comprises a scope tube with a first female thread and a second female thread. The first female thread has a first pitch and is disposed on the scope tube forming a spiral thread and lands between the spiral threads. The second female thread has a second pitch and is disposed on the lands of the first female thread. A jam nut has a male thread corresponding to and engaging the second female thread. The pitch of the first female thread is greater than the pitch of the second female thread.