Passive Fiber Optic Reflex Sight for Firearms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificially illuminated reflex sights are complex, expensive, and bulky, making them unsuitable for smaller concealed carry firearms, and there is a need for an affordable and compact aiming solution that utilizes ambient light.
Innovation Solution
A passive ambient light illuminated reflex optical sighting system that uses a polymeric fiber optic element to collect and utilize ambient light, eliminating the need for onboard artificial illumination, allowing for a smaller and more affordable design suitable for both larger and smaller firearms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrically-powered artificial illumination source is used in a reflex sight, then the reticle illumination is consistent and reliable, but the housing size increases and battery power is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electrically-powered illumination source and battery from the reflex sight system, extracting the problematic components that cause bulk and weight. Instead, it uses a passive fiber optic element that collects and transmits ambient light to illuminate the reticle, eliminating the need for power sources while maintaining reticle illumination functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic element serves itself by collecting ambient light directly from the environment and transmitting it to illuminate the reticle. The system uses naturally available light resources rather than requiring an external power source, making the illumination system self-sufficient and eliminating battery dependency.
2Volume of moving object
If a fiber optic element is used to collect ambient light, then the housing can be smaller and no battery is needed, but the reticle intensity varies with ambient light levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts and utilizes the dynamic nature of ambient light conditions. The fiber optic element dynamically adapts to varying light levels by collecting whatever ambient light is available, allowing the reticle illumination to vary with environmental conditions. This dynamic approach enables smaller housing size without battery while accepting variable intensity as a trade-off.
3Reliability
If traditional artificially illuminated reflex sights are used, then the reticle is always visible, but the sight is too bulky for concealed carry firearms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source and artificial illumination components from the reflex sight, eliminating the bulk associated with batteries and LED modules. The remaining passive optical components can be housed in a compact form factor suitable for concealed carry firearms while maintaining essential reticle visibility functionality through ambient light collection.
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 system provides a reliable and affordable aiming solution for various firearms, including smaller concealed carry pistols, with a variable reticle intensity that functions effectively in low light conditions without the bulk of traditional battery-powered sights.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber optic element supported by the housing, the fiber optic element configured and operable to absorb ambient light
Implementation Method 2
a lens supported by the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A passively and naturally illuminated optical reflex sighting system for a firearm in one embodiment includes a housing configured for detachable coupling to the firearm and comprising a plurality of light collection and transmission windows, an optical lens supported by the housing, a fiber optic element, and a light-transmissible cover enclosing the fiber optic element. The cover and fiber optic element are in visual communication with the housing windows which collect and transmit ambient light to the fiber optic element through the cover. The fiber optic element may be disposed inside and protected by the cover which may be clear. In operation, the fiber optic element absorbs ambient light and generates a reticle on the lens for aiming the firearm. A red or other colored dot reticle may be projected on the lens in some embodiments. No onboard artificial light is used to illuminate the fiber optic element.