Firearm Sight System Power Conservation via Motion-Triggered Reticle Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic sight systems for firearms, such as reflector or holographic sights, face power depletion issues, which can leave users without a functional aiming system, and completely turning them off compromises readiness in urgent situations.
Innovation Solution
A sight system with a housing, lens, power source, switch, emitter system, and motion sensor, where the emitter system includes a primary and secondary reticle configuration, allowing the primary reticle to remain visible while disabling the secondary reticle upon prolonged non-movement to conserve power, and re-enabling both upon motion detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the sight system completely turns off to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but the user loses battle-ready aiming capability
Solution Approach 1:
The reticle is divided into two separate emitters: a first emitter providing a primary reticle and a second emitter providing a secondary reticle. This segmentation allows independent control of each emitter, enabling the system to disable only the power-intensive second emitter while keeping the first emitter active, thus maintaining basic aiming capability while conserving power.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely turning off the sight system or reducing power to minimal levels, the system applies partial action by selectively disabling only the second emitter during non-movement periods. This partial disablement achieves power conservation while preserving essential aiming functionality through the first emitter.
2Reliability
If the sight system remains fully on to maintain readiness, then aiming capability is maintained, but power is depleted faster
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its power consumption based on motion detection. During movement, both emitters are active to provide full aiming capability. During non-movement periods exceeding a threshold duration, the system automatically transitions to a power-saving mode by disabling the second emitter, thus adapting power usage to actual operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different emitter configurations based on motion state. When motion is detected, the system operates with both emitters enabled; when no motion is detected for a predetermined time, it changes to a single-emitter mode, effectively changing the power consumption parameter while maintaining essential functionality.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the secondary reticle is disabled to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but reticle functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for potential functionality loss by ensuring the first emitter remains active as a backup. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even when the second emitter is disabled, the user retains basic aiming capability through the first emitter, preventing complete loss of reticle functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the reticle into two independent emitters, the system allows selective disabling of the second emitter while preserving the first emitter's functionality. This segmentation maintains adaptability by enabling the system to operate in different configurations (both emitters on, only first emitter on) depending on power availability and operational needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A sight system for a firearm or like device can comprise a housing; a lens coupled to the housing; a power source disposed in the housing; a switch in electronic communication with the power source; an emitter system disposed in the housing and in electronic communication with the switch; and/or a motion sensor. The emitter system can comprise a first emitter configured to present a primary reticle visible via the lens, and/or a second emitter configured to present a secondary reticle visible via the lens. The motion sensor can be in electronic communication with the second emitter. The first emitter and the second emitter can be electronically in parallel with one another. In response to a predetermined nonmovement duration passing without the motion sensor detecting movement, the sight system can be configured to disable the second emitter and maintain the first emitter to continue to present the primary reticle.