Fire-control system with tiltable mirror for high-trajectory aiming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire-control systems fail to effectively aim high-trajectory ammunition at long distances due to the need for significant barrel elevation, making it difficult to maintain visual contact with the target and align the weapon correctly, especially when using low-exit velocity ammunition.
Innovation Solution
A fire-control system with partially reflective optics and a tiltable mirror that adjusts the reticle position based on target distance, using a light source and processor to ensure the reticle is superimposed on the target without obstructing the user's view, allowing for non-magnifying and parallax-free aiming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a normal sight is used for high-trajectory ammunition, then the sight structure is simple, but visual contact with the target is difficult or impossible due to barrel elevation
Solution Approach 1:
The reticle is projected into a different spatial dimension by using a tiltable mirror to redirect light at a 90-degree angle. This allows the reticle to be positioned vertically above the target rather than directly in the line of sight, enabling visual contact while maintaining proper barrel elevation for high-trajectory ammunition.
Solution Approach 2:
A tiltable mirror is introduced as an intermediary element between the light source and the user's eye. This mirror redirects the light path containing the reticle image, allowing the reticle to be displayed in a position that does not obstruct the view of the target while still providing accurate aiming reference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a sight covering a considerable interval of inclinations is used, then high-trajectory aiming is possible, but the sight complexity and limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror is made tiltable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the reticle's vertical position. This dynamic element enables a single sight structure to adapt to multiple inclination angles and target distances, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed-position reticles or complex mechanical elevation adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The reticle positioning function is separated from the main sight structure by using an independent tiltable mirror. This segmentation allows the mirror to be adjusted independently to compensate for different trajectory requirements, while the rest of the sight structure remains simple and stable.
3Illumination intensity
If magnifying optics are used to improve target visibility, then the view is enhanced, but the field of view is distorted and the other eye cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using full magnifying optics that would distort the field of view, the system uses minimal optical elements - simply a partially reflective surface and a tiltable mirror - to achieve the necessary reticle positioning. This partial action provides sufficient target visibility and reticle alignment without the harmful effects of excessive magnification.
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 accurate and efficient aiming of high-trajectory ammunition by maintaining a clear view of the target while adjusting the reticle position for optimal trajectory correction, incorporating features like wind and humidity compensation for improved precision.
Implementation Method 1
partially reflective optics, through which a user may observe a target and receive visually displayed information simultaneously
Implementation Method 2
controlling the tilt of at least one tiltable mirror arranged in the beam path between the user and the light source so that the reticle may visualized at the adequate position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A fire-control system comprising a housing, a light channel, through which a user may directly observe a target and receive visually displayed information simultaneously, said light channel comprising partially reflective optics, a light source emitting light to the partially reflective optics via an optical path, providing light for a reticle visible for a user, means for receiving a measure of the distance to the target a processor, for determining the adequate position of the reticle, based on the distance to the target, wherein at least one tiltable mirror is arranged in the optical path such that the position of the reticle in controllable by the tilt of the mirror.