Firearm Sight with Motion-Activated LED and Fiber Optic Hybrid Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firearm sights, such as fiber optic and reflex sights, are often ineffective in low-light environments and can be inaccurate due to ambient light dependence and excessive movement of aiming dots, making it difficult for shooters to aim accurately in various conditions.
Innovation Solution
A firearm sight with a light emitter that automatically activates in response to motion, position, or orientation changes detected by a sensor, using visible or infrared light to facilitate easier and more accurate aiming, regardless of environmental lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If fiber optic sights are used to gather ambient light, then the sight provides an illuminated point for aiming, but the sight becomes ineffective in dark conditions or low-lighting environments due to insufficient ambient light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fiber optic light-gathering elements with LED light-emitting elements in a single sight assembly. The fiber optic portion gathers ambient light when available, while the LED portion provides artificial illumination when ambient light is insufficient, creating a hybrid system that merges the advantages of both technologies to resolve the contradiction between illumination intensity and adaptability across different lighting conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The sight assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in ambient light mode using fiber optic elements during daytime, switch to artificial light mode using LED elements in low-light conditions, and provide both visible and infrared illumination options. This multi-functionality enables the single sight to adapt to various lighting environments, resolving the contradiction between providing sufficient illumination and maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If LED light-emitting elements are added to compensate for insufficient ambient lighting, then the sight can provide aiming light in low-lighting environments, but the positioning of light-gathering element and light-emitting element becomes difficult to achieve sufficient brightness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the LED light-emitting elements within or adjacent to the fiber optic light-gathering structure. The LED elements are positioned in close proximity to the fiber optic elements, with the fiber optic elements surrounding or enclosing the LED elements. This nested arrangement simplifies the positioning complexity by integrating both light sources into a unified compact structure where the relative positions are predetermined and optimized for light transmission efficiency
3Ease of operation
If conventional reflex sights with light sources are used to project a dot onto the target, then the sight provides an aiming point, but the dot is prone to excessive movement on the target when the firearm moves inadvertently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fiber optic elements to create a visual copy or representation of the aiming point that is transmitted through the fiber optic structure. Instead of projecting a dot that moves independently, the fiber optic elements transmit light in a way that creates a stable visual reference point that remains consistent with the firearm's position, reducing the excessive dot movement problem while maintaining ease of aiming
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 shooters to aim accurately in both illuminated and non-illuminated environments by providing a stable and adjustable light source that activates only when needed, improving aiming precision and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitter may include a visible-light emitter and/or an infrared-light emitter
Implementation Method 2
The at least one sensor is configured to detect at least one of a motion, a change in position or a change in orientation of the sight housing
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm sight which facilitates ease and accuracy in aiming a firearm may include a sight housing configured to be attached to a firearm. The sight housing may include a front housing end and a rear housing end. At least one power source and a light emitter which electrically interfaces with the power source may be provided in the sight housing. A light transmission compartment may be provided in the sight housing and disposed in light-receiving communication with the light emitter. The light transmission compartment may have a light emission end at the rear housing end of the sight housing. A light transmission medium may be provided in the light transmission compartment to emit light from the light emitter through the light emission end of the light transmission compartment.