Laser Lockout Switch with Threaded Actuator for Safety Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser sighting devices lack a safety feature to prevent accidental actuation of high-intensity laser modes, which can cause eye damage, particularly in training scenarios where high power operation is not warranted.
Innovation Solution
A lockout system with a switch and key mechanism that allows users to toggle between high and low intensity modes, preventing actuation above a preselected threshold intensity level when in the 'stored' state, ensuring eye-safe operation by requiring the lockout key to access high power settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lockout switch mechanism is added to prevent accidental high-power actuation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A lockout switch acts as an intermediary component between the user and the high-power laser mode. The switch requires a specific action (rotating the switch body) to transition states, thereby mediating access to high-power operation and preventing accidental activation while adding minimal complexity to the overall device architecture.
2Reliability
If a lockout key mechanism is required to access high power modes, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lockout switch is pre-configured in a locked state by default, requiring a deliberate preliminary action (rotating the switch body) to enable high-power modes. This preliminary action ensures that users consciously decide to access high-power operation rather than accidentally activating it, balancing safety with operational control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lockout switch prevents actuation above threshold intensity, then harmful factors are reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lockout switch provides dynamic control over laser power access by allowing users to transition between locked and unlocked states. This dynamic mechanism enables the device to adapt to different operational contexts: maintaining restricted access during training or sensitive operations, and enabling full power when necessary, thus balancing harm reduction with operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A lockout system for a laser device of a type having a laser emitter operable to emit a laser beam at a plurality of intensity levels includes a lockout switch operable to be placed in either a first state or a second state, wherein the laser device is configured to prevent actuation of the laser emitter at an intensity level above a preselected threshold intensity level when the lockout switch is in the first state and to permit actuation of the laser emitter at an intensity level above the preselected threshold intensity level when the lockout switch is in the second state. A lockout key operable to transition the lockout switch between the first state and the second state. In a further aspect, a laser sight device incorporating the lockout system herein is provided.