Handgun Aiming Device with Common Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aiming devices for handguns require complex individual adjustments of optical sights and tactical lasers, necessitating separate target plates and additional technical effort, especially for IR lasers, which complicates the alignment process.

Innovation Solution

A combined aiming device with active and passive aiming means, where the passive aiming device and tactical lasers are adjusted jointly using a common mechanical or combined mechanical-electronic adjustment device, allowing for simultaneous alignment of all components, including a micro-display for text and image information display, and integration of features like distance measurement and friend-foe detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If individual adjustment of optical sights and tactical lasers is performed separately, then each component can be precisely aligned, but the adjustment process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidadjustment process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple aiming components (optical sight, reflex sight, tactical lasers including visible and IR) into a single integrated aiming device. A common adjustment mechanism is provided that simultaneously adjusts all these components relative to the weapon axis, eliminating the need for separate adjustment procedures while maintaining alignment precision through factory calibration and mechanical coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of aiming components through a single mechanism. The device includes adjustment means that can simultaneously control the orientation of optical sights, reflex sights, and multiple tactical lasers, providing a unified adjustment interface that simplifies the overall alignment process while maintaining precise control over each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate adjustment devices are used for different aiming components, then each component can be independently adjusted, but the number of adjustment elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent adjustment capabilityVSAvoidnumber of adjustment elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent adjustment functions into a single common adjustment mechanism. This mechanism simultaneously adjusts the orientation of all aiming components (optical sight, reflex sight, visible laser, IR laser) relative to the weapon axis, reducing the number of adjustment elements from multiple separate devices to one unified device that performs all adjustments through coordinated mechanical motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If separate target plates are used for each aiming device, then each can be calibrated independently, but the calibration process becomes more difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables all aiming components to be calibrated simultaneously using a single common target plate instead of requiring separate target plates for each device. The integrated adjustment mechanism allows all components to be aligned to the same reference point on one target plate in a single operation, dramatically reducing calibration time while maintaining accuracy through the mechanical linkage that ensures consistent alignment across all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If IR tactical lasers are adjusted separately from visible components, then IR alignment can be optimized, but additional technical effort and specialized equipment are required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIR alignment precisionVSAvoidadjustment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates IR tactical laser adjustment with visible aiming components into a single common adjustment mechanism. The device includes both visible and IR lasers mounted on the same platform with shared adjustment means, allowing simultaneous alignment of all components to the weapon axis. Factory calibration establishes the relationship between visible and IR components, and the common adjustment mechanism maintains this relationship during field adjustments, eliminating the need for separate IR adjustment procedures and specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies the adjustment process by aligning all aiming components in one step, reducing complexity and allowing easy alignment with existing tools, enhancing usability and accuracy by automatically calculating holdover points for long-distance shots without manual reticle adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

The active aiming means has at least one tactical laser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

The passive aiming means by a reflex sight, which consists of a display together with a collimating mirror

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3042143B1Handgun having aiming means
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 RHEINMETALL SOLDIER ELECTRONICS
  • EP3042143B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3042143B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3042143B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to an aiming device (100), in particular of a handgun, comprising at least one active aiming means (3) and at least one passive aiming means (50), wherein the passive and active aiming means (3, 50), which are independent of each other, can be adjusted in relation to the hand weapon by means of a common adjustment device (4). The common adjustment device (4) is mechanically connected to both the active and the passive aiming means (3, 50). An angle sensor (13.1) is integrated for the common adjustment. The one or more active aiming means (3) are combined into a laser combination (3) in the form of a laser block.