Dual Tilt-Sensor Sighting Calibration Without Bulky Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sighting systems require complex and bulky instruments for calibration, leading to high maintenance costs and downtime due to the need for on-site calibration, especially after replacing optronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A sighting system with tilt sensors attached to the base and sighting device, connected to a central unit, allowing for on-site calibration by measuring tilt angles between the base and sighting device, eliminating the need for bulky instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an autocollimator is used for calibration to achieve 100 μrad accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical-mechanical autocollimator system with an electronic sensor-based system. Tilt sensors (accelerometers/gyrometers) electronically measure the orientation of the base and sighting device, eliminating the need for bulky optical instruments while achieving the required calibration accuracy through electronic signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tilt sensors as intermediary measurement devices between the base and sighting device. These sensors act as mediators that capture orientation data and transmit it to the central unit for processing, replacing the direct optical measurement path of the autocollimator with an electronic intermediary system.
2Measurement precision
If calibration is performed at the workshop with bulky instruments, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs calibration actions continuously in the background during normal operation rather than requiring dedicated calibration time. The tilt sensors continuously measure orientation data, and the central unit processes this data to maintain calibration status, allowing calibration to occur preliminarily and continuously without interrupting sighting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sighting system performs its own calibration using integrated tilt sensors and a central processing unit. The system self-calibrates by measuring the orientation of the base and sighting device relative to each other and automatically adjusting or confirming the calibration status, eliminating the need for external workshop calibration services.
3Ease of repair
If the sighting device is replaced without on-site calibration, then ease of repair is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the sighting system to self-calibrate after device replacement using tilt sensors that automatically measure the new device's orientation relative to the base. The central unit processes this data to establish accurate alignment without requiring external calibration equipment or workshop intervention, making the system self-sufficient for post-replacement calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs calibration measurements immediately upon device replacement by continuously monitoring tilt sensor data. The system captures orientation information at the moment of replacement and processes it to establish the new baseline, ensuring measurement precision is restored without delaying the replacement process.
4Ease of operation
If tilt sensors are used for on-site calibration, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the tilt sensors serve multiple functions: they continuously monitor orientation during normal operation, enable on-site calibration after replacement, and provide data for both the base and sighting device. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple calibration and monitoring capabilities from the same sensor components.
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
Enables fast and accurate on-site calibration, reducing maintenance costs and downtime by allowing replacement of sighting devices without returning to the workshop.
Implementation Method 1
a first tilt sensor (28) rigidly attached to the base (4), a second tilt sensor (30) rigidly attached to the sighting device (20)... adapted to measure a difference between the measurements made by each tilt sensor, in such a way as to quantify a tilt angle between the base and the sighting device
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a sighting system including a sighting device orientable with respect to a base, adapted to implement a simple and fast on-site calibration method. The sighting system includes for that purpose a cradle holding to the base a sighting device provided with a line of sight. The sighting system includes a first tilt sensor attached to the base, a second tilt sensor attached to the sighting device. The tilt sensors are connected to a central unit adapted to measure a difference between the measurements made by each tilt sensor, in such a way as to quantify a tilt angle between the base and the sighting device, without it being necessary to use a voluminous tool.