Firearm Sighting Device with Actuator-Linked Illumination Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern telescopic hunting sights with illuminated reticles require manual operation to turn on and off, which can be inconvenient and unsafe, as it diverts the hunter's hand from aiming and consumes unnecessary energy, leading to battery depletion at critical moments.
Innovation Solution
A sighting device with a mechanically activated switch integrated into the firearm, which turns the illuminated reticle on when the firearm is cocked and off when uncocked, eliminating the need for manual operation and ensuring reliable activation only when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual switch operation is used to control illuminated reticle, then ease of operation is reduced and reliability is reduced, but device complexity is minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reticle illumination switch with the firearm's existing actuator mechanism (trigger, safety, or cocking mechanism). By merging these two functions into a single integrated system, the illumination is automatically activated when the firearm is prepared to fire, eliminating the need for separate manual operation while maintaining simplicity in the overall system design.
2Reliability
If illuminated reticle is kept on continuously to avoid manual activation, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation of the illuminated reticle by linking it to the periodic cycling of the firearm's actuator mechanism. The illumination turns on when the actuator is activated (indicating readiness to fire) and turns off when the actuator returns to its neutral position. This periodic operation ensures the reticle is illuminated only when needed, maintaining reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
3Ease of operation
If manual switch operation is required, then ease of operation is reduced and time is lost, but device complexity is minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the reticle illumination system self-service by automatically activating it through the firearm's existing actuator mechanism. The system monitors the state of the actuator and automatically turns the illumination on or off without requiring the user to manually operate a separate switch. This eliminates the need for additional control elements while improving ease of operation, as the illumination responds automatically to the firearm's operational state.
4Ease of operation
If illuminated reticle is activated early in hunt to avoid manual operation, then ease of operation is improved, but energy consumption increases and battery depletes prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic activation tied to the firearm's actuator cycling to control the illuminated reticle. Instead of keeping the illumination on from the start of the hunt, it activates only when the actuator indicates readiness to fire and deactivates when not needed. This ensures the battery is preserved for the duration of the hunt while maintaining ease of operation through automatic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the illumination system in advance by linking it to the actuator mechanism, so that activation is automatically ready when the firearm is cocked or the safety is engaged. This preliminary preparation ensures the illumination is available exactly when needed without requiring early activation or manual intervention, thereby conserving battery life while maintaining operational readiness.
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 enhances the convenience and reliability of reticle illumination by ensuring the illuminated reticle is automatically turned on when ready to shoot and off when not in use, conserving battery life and improving safety by eliminating manual operation during critical moments.
Implementation Method 1
a reed contact that can be closed by the force of a magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
For a firearm sighting device with an electrical illumination device that can be turned on and off by means of a switch, the switch is embodied and arranged in or on the sighting device such that, for the conventional attachment of the sighting device on the firearm, the switch is activated mechanically to turn on the illumination device by the activation of an actuator provided in or on the firearm for setting the firearm into the armed state. By disabling the firearm, the switch is activated mechanically to turn off the illumination device. Preferably, the activation of the switch is performed using a non-contact method, for which, in particular, the configuration of the switch as a reed contact is suitable. The switch can also be part of a retrofit kit, by means of which a sighting device for a firearm can be equipped at a later time with the previously mentioned function. Here, the switch of the retrofit kit replaces a standard switch operated by hand separately from the firearm.