Electronic Firearm Sight Trajectory Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional firearms require cumbersome mechanical guide sights for aiming ballistic projectiles, which are heavy and impractical for mobile use, especially when considering the curvature of projectile trajectories.

Innovation Solution

A firearm sighting device equipped with an image acquisition device, distance measuring device, inertial measuring unit, control computer, and image display, allowing for real-time alignment of the firearm barrel with the target while accounting for projectile trajectory, without mechanical moving parts, enabling precise and quick aiming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If mechanical guide sights are used for superelevation adjustment, then the curvature of ballistic projectile trajectory can be taken into account, but the device becomes heavy and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrajectory compensation precisionVSAvoidsighting device weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical guide sights with an electronic computing device that calculates trajectory compensation digitally. The sight computer uses electronic processors instead of mechanical linkages to compute superelevation adjustments, significantly reducing weight while maintaining precision through software-based ballistic calculations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes from fixed mechanical adjustment parameters to dynamically computable parameters. The sight computer continuously calculates optimal elevation adjustments based on real-time inputs (distance, wind, projectile type) rather than relying on pre-set mechanical sight adjustments, enabling precise trajectory compensation with minimal hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If mechanical guide sights are used for superelevation adjustment, then the curvature of ballistic projectile trajectory can be taken into account, but the device becomes bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrajectory compensation precisionVSAvoidsighting device volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces bulky mechanical guide sights with a compact electronic computing device. The sight computer uses integrated circuits and digital processors to perform trajectory calculations, reducing the physical volume required while maintaining computational precision through software algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sight computer serves multiple functions within a single compact unit: it calculates trajectory compensation, processes distance measurements, integrates with optical sights, and provides digital displays. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate mechanical devices into one compact electronic system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional aiming methods are used, then the shooter must manually adjust sights, but the aiming process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaiming operation simplicityVSAvoidaiming time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sight computer automatically performs trajectory calculations and provides elevation adjustments without requiring manual computation by the shooter. The system self-calculates superelevation based on input parameters and displays the correct adjustment, eliminating time-consuming manual sight adjustments while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback to the shooter through digital displays showing required elevation adjustments. The sight computer continuously monitors inputs (distance, wind conditions) and immediately updates the recommended sight adjustment, enabling rapid iterative refinement of aiming without manual calculation delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 facilitates easier and faster target acquisition, reduces the shooter's burden by providing a lightweight, portable aiming system that aligns the firearm with the projectile's expected trajectory, allowing for precise firing without mechanical bulk, and enables tracking of moving targets.

Implementation Method 1

an inertial measuring unit, which measures an inclination angle of the target device relative to the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the angle of inclination of the line of sight to the target being measured

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAngle measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP2634523B1Firearm targeting device, firearm and method for aligning a firearm
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 MBDA DEUTSCHIAND GMBH
  • EP2634523B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2634523B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2634523B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The firearms target device has an image capturing device (10), a distance measuring device (12), and inertial measurement unit along with a control computer and an image display device. A projectile has a leading barrel (20) and a target device (1), where the control computer is designed for displaying one of the images of the image capturing device received from image capturing device of a target object at an image display device. The image of the target object is covered with a sighting mark. An independent claim is also included for a method for aligning a fire arm equipped with a firearm-target device.