Elastic-Cord Lens Cap Assembly for Damage and Reflection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lenses of flashlights, telescopic sights, and night vision devices are susceptible to damage from dust, debris, and impacts, and highly reflective surfaces can reveal user location, posing risks for warfighters.
Innovation Solution
A lens cap assembly comprising a sleeve, removable lens or anti-reflection element, and a cap secured by an elastic cord, designed to protect and shield these devices from physical damage and light reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lens is exposed to protect the device functionality, then the device can operate properly, but the lens becomes vulnerable to dust, debris, and impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is divided into separate components: a removable lens cap and an optional removable lens element. This allows the user to attach the cap when protection is needed and remove it when device operation is required, resolving the contradiction between protection and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens cap is pre-positioned on the device, ready for immediate attachment. This preliminary preparation allows the user to quickly protect the lens without delay, maintaining both protection capability and operational readiness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lens cap remains attached to protect the lens, then physical damage is prevented, but the device cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The lens cap is designed to be dynamically removable and reattachable. This dynamic capability allows the protection state to change based on operational needs, enabling the system to switch between protected and operational modes as required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a removable lens is added to the lens cap assembly, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens element is separated from the cap structure, allowing it to be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation provides optical flexibility without requiring complex integration, as the lens can be swapped without affecting the cap mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens cap assembly is designed to accommodate multiple functions: it can serve as a simple protective cap or be configured with a removable lens element for optical versatility. This multi-functionality is achieved through a standardized interface that supports both configurations without increasing base complexity.
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 lens cap assembly effectively safeguards these devices from physical damage and prevents light reflections, enhancing their usability and concealment.
Implementation Method 1
The cap is removably secured to the front end of the sleeve by an elastic cord
Implementation Method 2
a sleeve configured to frictionally engage with a flashlight head
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are implementations of a lens cap assembly, each configured to shroud the lens of a device such as a flashlight, an optical sight, or a night vision device. Each lens cap assembly comprises a sleeve, either a removable lens or an anti-reflection element positioned within the sleeve, and a cap. The cap is removably secured to the sleeve by an elastic cord.