Hybrid Fire Control Sight for Handguns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire control sights for handguns are either too heavy and large for practical use or lack redundancy in case of electronic failure, making them inefficient for quick and precise elevation control and requiring additional mechanical sights for backup.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid fire control sight integrating electro-optical displays into a classic ladder sight, using sensors and a control computer to calculate and display optimal aiming points, allowing for precise alignment without additional weight or mechanical backup sights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electronic sighting devices with sensors and control computers are used, then measurement precision and automation are improved, but weight and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelevation angle measurement precisionVSAvoidfire control sight weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines electronic sensing components (inertial sensors, magnetic field sensors) and electro-optical display elements directly into the mechanical ladder sight structure. This integration allows the electronic fire control system to utilize the existing mechanical sight housing and optical path, eliminating the need for separate electronic sighting devices and reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ladder sight structure serves dual functions: as a traditional mechanical sighting device and as an integrated platform for electronic sensors and displays. The same structural components support both mechanical rear sights and electro-optical elevation indicators, maximizing functional density and minimizing weight.

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

2Extent of automation

If electronic sighting devices are used, then automation and measurement precision are improved, but reliability decreases due to lack of redundancy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic elevation calculationVSAvoidsystem reliability upon electronic failure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fire control sight incorporates backup mechanical rear sights that remain functional even when electronic systems fail. The mechanical ladder sight structure is designed to operate independently of electronic components, providing a predetermined fallback option that ensures continued weapon functionality without requiring additional separate backup devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If faded markings are used in the optical beam path, then device complexity is reduced, but the opening angle must cover maximum elevation angles exceeding usual sight opening angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesighting optics complexityVSAvoidsight opening angle
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional faded markings on the optical path to three-dimensional electro-optical display elements positioned within the ladder sight structure. The display device uses illuminated segments or LEDs arranged vertically along the ladder sight bars, providing elevation indicators that extend beyond the limitations of flat optical path markings and accommodate larger elevation angles without requiring excessive opening angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Area of moving object

If motor-driven mirrors or prisms are used to tilt the beam path, then the contradiction between large viewing angles and sufficient magnification is solved, but inertia of the sighting system increases and field of view is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing angleVSAvoidsighting system inertia
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces motor-driven mechanical mirror systems with a static electro-optical display system integrated into the ladder sight. Instead of physically tilting beam paths through moving components, the invention uses electronically controlled light-emitting or light-modulating elements that provide elevation indicators without mechanical movement, thereby eliminating inertia and maintaining a wide field of view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 quick and precise elevation control with redundancy, allowing shooters to use either electronic or mechanical sighting methods, enhancing usability and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a distance measuring device 2, 20

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight time of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

at least one inertial sensor 3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial sensing: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 3

a magnetic field sensor 6 or another direction-preserving sensor unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 4

at least one row of electro-optical elevation signal elements extending along at least one section of a sighting ladder strut

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP2878913B1Fire control sight, handgun with such a fire control sigth and a method for aiming said handgun
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 MBDA DEUTSCHIAND GMBH
  • EP2878913B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2878913B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2B
  • EP2878913B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fire control sight for a handgun (W), in particular for a grenade pistol, comprising a sight housing (10), a sight front sight (12), a sight ladder (14) which has two sight ladder arms (15, 16) with a plurality of sight rear sights (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e) forming sight bars (18a, 18a', 18b, 18b', 18c, 18c', 18d, 18d', 18e, 18e'), is characterized by a distance measuring device (2), at least one inertial sensor (3) and/or a magnetic field sensor (6), a control computer (4), and a display device (5) for displaying an optimal alignment of the barrel axis (X) of the handgun (W) determined by the control computer (4).