Fiber Optic Shotgun Sight Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aftermarket sight mechanisms for shotguns are costly and time-consuming to install, often requiring barrel modifications and lack illumination, making them difficult to use in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sight assembly for shotguns that includes a housing with a light-collecting fiber optic and lens system, allowing for secure attachment without modifying the existing aiming bead, and providing an illuminated aiming point using ambient light or secondary light sources like tritium lamps or LEDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional aftermarket sight mechanisms are installed on a shotgun, then the shotgun can be customized with a sight, but the installation requires time-consuming and costly barrel modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The sight mechanism is divided into separate modular components: a mounting base that attaches to the shotgun barrel, a sight body, and an illumination device. This segmentation allows the sight to be installed as a complete unit without requiring modifications to the barrel itself, thus reducing installation time and cost while maintaining customization capability
Solution Approach 2:
A mounting base serves as an intermediary component between the shotgun barrel and the sight mechanism. This base provides a standardized interface that can be attached to the barrel without modification, and the sight mechanism can be mounted to the base, thereby eliminating the need for time-consuming barrel modifications
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional aftermarket sight mechanisms are installed on a shotgun, then the shotgun can be customized with a sight, but the process is costly and requires consultation with or performance by a gunsmith
Solution Approach 1:
The sight system is segmented into a pre-fabricated mounting base and sight mechanism, where the base is designed to attach to standard shotgun barrels without modification. This eliminates the need for gunsmith consultation and reduces installation complexity to basic mechanical attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting base is designed with self-aligning features and standardized attachment mechanisms that allow the user to install the sight themselves without requiring professional gunsmith services, thereby reducing cost and increasing ease of manufacture
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional aftermarket sight mechanisms are used, then the shotgun can be customized, but they fail to provide an illuminated aiming point making them difficult to use in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device is merged with the sight mechanism itself, integrating the light source directly into the aiming point. This combination ensures that the illumination function is built-in and always available when the sight is used, eliminating the limitation of non-illuminated sights in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The sight mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: providing the aiming reference and providing illumination for low-light conditions. This multi-functionality ensures that the sight remains effective across various lighting environments, enhancing adaptability without compromising illumination capability
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 easy, cost-effective installation and reliable target alignment in various lighting conditions by creating a consistent and illuminated aiming point without altering the shotgun's barrel, improving usability and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A light-collecting fiber may be supported by the housing and may extend along a longitudinal axis of the housing
Implementation Method 2
A lens may be supported by the housing and may receive light from the fiber to display an aiming point
Implementation Method 3
The sleeve may be attached to the fiber via an adhesive having a lower refractive index than the fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A sight assembly for a shotgun is provided and may include a housing. A light-collecting fiber may be supported by the housing and may extend along a longitudinal axis of the housing. A lens may be supported by the housing and may receive light from the fiber to display an aiming point. The lens may be spaced apart and separated from a distal end of the fiber by a predetermined distance.