Light Containment Structure for Laser Sight Secondary Emission Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laser sights on weapons emit secondary light that can reveal the user's location to unintended observers, compromising tactical advantage and operational security.

Innovation Solution

A light containment structure with specific design features, including a cavity and openings that absorb or redirect secondary light, preventing it from illuminating unintended areas while allowing the primary light beam to reach the target, and optionally incorporating antireflective coatings or materials to minimize visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a laser sight is used to illuminate the target, then the target acquisition speed is improved, but the user's location is revealed to unintended observers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget acquisition speedVSAvoidlocation disclosure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light containment structure segments the light path into a controlled cavity system with multiple openings. The cavity is divided into sections with strategically positioned openings that allow the laser beam to pass through while preventing secondary light from escaping in directions that would reveal the user's location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the light containment structure have different optical properties. The cavity walls are designed with specific reflectivity or absorptivity characteristics, and openings are positioned at specific locations to control where light escapes. This local differentiation allows the structure to permit target illumination while blocking location-revealing light.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a light containment structure is added to suppress secondary light, then the location disclosure is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation disclosureVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light containment structure is integrated with the laser sight assembly, combining multiple functions into a single unit. The cavity structure serves both to contain the light path and to provide mounting surfaces and structural support, reducing the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to block light from all directions and then creating openings for the beam, the design inverts the approach by creating a controlled cavity that naturally channels light through the desired path. The structure is designed so that the primary light path is the easiest route, and secondary light suppression is achieved by the natural geometry rather than additional blocking elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Effectively conceals the location of the weapon user by suppressing secondary light emission, maintaining tactical advantage and operational security while ensuring the primary light beam reaches the intended target.

Implementation Method 1

A light containment structure with specific design features, including a cavity and openings that absorb or redirect secondary light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

A light containment structure with specific design features, including a cavity and openings that absorb or redirect secondary light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight redirection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9714812B2Devices for eliminating position disclosing light emitted by a laser

Publication Date: 2017.07.25 CHRISTIANSEN RICHARD BERT

AI summary

A device for preventing secondary light emitted by a laser sight from being seen is disclosed. The device includes a cavity defined by a sidewall and first and second ends of a light containment structure. In some embodiments, the light containment structure is mountable so as to receive light from a laser sight of a weapon through a first opening located at the first end of the light containment structure. The device can include a first portion located at the second end of the light containment structure, and a second opening defined by the first portion and that can pass light from the cavity toward an object such that the object is illuminated to a user of the weapon by the light from the second opening. In some embodiments, the cavity can be configured such that light does not directly illuminate the sidewall.