Fiber Optic Weapon Sight Brightness via Curved Reflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional weapon sights often lack sufficient brightness in low-light conditions, limiting visibility and accuracy for shooters.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a reflective surface within the weapon sight that directs ambient light onto a fiber optic rod, enhancing visibility by focusing reflected light onto the receptor, which can be achieved through various shapes such as spherical or parabolic surfaces, and using materials like plastic with metallic coatings or detachable reflectors for improved light collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional weapon sights are used without light collection components, then the device complexity is low, but the illumination intensity is insufficient in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fiber optic rod with the sight body structure, integrating light collection functionality into the existing sight. The fiber optic rod is positioned within the sight body and works together with the reflector to capture and direct ambient light, merging multiple functions (light collection, light guidance, and sight indication) into a unified structure rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic rod serves as an intermediary element between the ambient light environment and the sight indication system. It captures ambient light through its lateral surface and transmits this light to enhance the brightness of the sight, acting as a mediator that bridges the gap between available environmental light and the visual indication needed by the shooter.
2Illumination intensity
If a reflector is added to direct ambient light onto the fiber optic rod, then the illumination intensity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved or spherical reflector surface within the sight body to efficiently direct ambient light onto the fiber optic rod. The curved geometry of the reflector is optimized to capture light from various angles and focus it onto the fiber optic rod, maximizing light collection efficiency while maintaining a compact structure that integrates well with the sight body.
3Illumination intensity
If the fiber optic rod is positioned along the length of the sight body, then the illumination intensity is maximized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sight body structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the structural framework for the sight, houses the fiber optic rod, positions the reflector, and facilitates light collection. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate positioning mechanisms and simplifies manufacturing by integrating positioning features directly into the sight body structure itself.
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
This solution significantly increases the brightness of the sight, providing enhanced visibility in all light conditions, improving shooting accuracy and usability across different environments and lighting scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective surface that is shaped to reflect ambient light to the light receptor
Implementation Method 2
direct ambient or environmental light onto a fiber optic rod to provide a brighter sight
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the disclosed invention relate to fiber optic weapon sights that use a reflector to direct ambient light to a fiber optic rod and thus provide weapon sights that are bright in any lighting condition. In one instance, the reflector can have a concave shape, such as a spherical or parabolic shape, that can focus ambient light on the fiber optic rod and thereby significantly increase the brightness of the weapon sight. The embodiments of the present invention can accordingly provide enhanced fiber optic front and/or rear sights for weapons including rifles, pistols, and shotguns.