Electronic Firearm Aiming Device with Accelerometer Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing targeting systems for high-angle trajectories, such as those used in grenade launchers, fail to ensure first-round hits due to inaccuracies and durability issues, particularly with obsolete quadrant sights, and lack suitable sighting solutions for modern firearms like the M4 Carbine.
Innovation Solution
A firearm aiming device with a housing containing electronics and a display that attaches to a firearm, allowing operators to select the weapon and munition, providing real-time feedback on cant and elevation to ensure accurate targeting without the need for zeroing or complex aiming processes, using accelerometers and a numerical lookup table for ballistic calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional quadrant sights are used for grenade launchers, then aiming capability is provided, but reliability and durability are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical quadrant sight system with an electronic aiming device that uses accelerometers, displays, and electronic processors to determine weapon orientation and calculate firing solutions. This substitution eliminates the mechanical linkages and moving parts of traditional sights, dramatically improving reliability while providing more sophisticated aiming capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic aiming device automatically senses weapon orientation through accelerometers, retrieves appropriate ballistic data, and calculates firing solutions without requiring manual adjustment mechanisms. The system serves itself by autonomously determining the correct aim point based on sensor inputs and stored ballistic coefficients, eliminating the need for complex manual sight adjustment mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If manual aiming techniques are used, then no additional equipment is needed, but accuracy and first-round hit probability are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic aiming device provides real-time feedback to the operator through a display showing the calculated aim point, required elevation adjustments, and target acquisition status. This feedback loop allows the operator to make precise adjustments based on electronic guidance, dramatically improving first-round hit probability while keeping the interface simple and intuitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the firing solution before the shot is fired, using accelerometers to sense weapon orientation and stored ballistic data to determine the correct aim point. This pre-computation of aiming parameters eliminates the need for complex real-time manual calculations during the firing process, improving both accuracy and operational simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If complex sighting systems are provided, then aiming accuracy may improve, but ease of operation and user friendliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic aiming device automatically performs all complex calculations and adjustments without requiring the operator to manually compute ballistics or adjust multiple sight components. The system self-determines weapon orientation, retrieves appropriate ballistic coefficients, and presents a simple guidance indication, making sophisticated aiming capabilities as easy to use as simple mechanical sights.
4Reliability
If traditional leaf sights are used, then the system is simple, but reliability and first-round hit guarantee are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple but unreliable mechanical leaf sight with an electronic system that uses accelerometers and digital processing to determine weapon orientation and calculate firing solutions. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving reliability by eliminating the inherent inaccuracies of manual mechanical sighting methods.
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 reliable first-round hits by simplifying the aiming process, increasing user friendliness, and improving accuracy to within 1 meter of the intended target, without requiring additional sighting systems or complex training, and is durable and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
using accelerometers and a numerical lookup table for ballistic calculations
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention assist in aiming indirect fire weapons and firearms. A housing having a display and containing electronics attaches to a firearm. The electronics contain performance information specific to at least one firearm and munitions used in that firearm. Selector switches allow an operator to select the correct firearm and round to be fired from the firearm. Then, as an initial step in aiming, the operator directs the end of the weapon at a target. Then the operator adjusts the position of the firearm while observing the display. The electronics monitor the relative orientation of the firearm and displays feedback on the display as the orientation of the firearm is changed by an operator. When the display indicates the firearm is correctly aimed, the operator discharges the firearm.