LED Firearm Sight Retrofit for Low-Light Aiming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sighting systems for firearms are inefficient in low-light conditions and may require radioactive materials, which are regulated and not suitable for all markets, leading to a need for an alternative solution that enhances visibility and speed of aiming without these limitations.
Innovation Solution
A sighting system utilizing LED lights with a power source, circuit, and housing to provide illuminated sights, which can be activated by motion or ambient light sensors, and include adjustable color and intensity, allowing for improved visibility in various lighting conditions without radioactive materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional sights are used without illumination, then the device complexity is low, but the visibility and aiming speed in poor lighting conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/chemical illumination systems (radioactive gases, fluorescent paints) with LED-based electrical illumination. This substitution provides controllable, bright illumination while avoiding the limitations of radioactive materials and maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated circuit boards and battery compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements variable illumination parameters through circuit boards that can adjust LED brightness and duration. The system offers different illumination modes (continuous, intermittent, motion-activated, light-sensor activated) that change operational parameters based on environmental conditions and user needs, resolving the contradiction between illumination intensity and energy consumption.
2Illumination intensity
If radioactive materials are used for illumination, then the visibility in poor lighting conditions is improved, but the regulatory restrictions and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates radioactive materials from the sighting system, replacing them with conventional LED components. This extraction removes the regulatory burden and manufacturing complexity associated with handling, storing, and disposing of radioactive substances while maintaining effective illumination functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses replaceable battery compartments with standard batteries instead of long-lasting radioactive sources. This approach uses inexpensive, readily available components that can be easily replaced when depleted, avoiding the complexity of radioactive material management while providing sufficient illumination duration for practical use.
3Illumination intensity
If LED lights are always on, then the visibility is maximized, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic illumination through intermittent LED activation patterns. The circuit board can program the LEDs to flash or illuminate at intervals rather than continuously, reducing average power consumption while maintaining sufficient visibility for aiming. Motion sensors and light sensors further optimize timing to activate illumination only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates motion sensors and ambient light sensors that automatically detect user presence and environmental conditions, activating LED illumination only when required. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual switches and optimizes energy usage by responding autonomously to actual viewing needs, resolving the contradiction between continuous visibility and energy conservation.
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
The LED-based sighting system enhances aiming speed and accuracy in both bright and low-light conditions, providing reliable and adaptable illumination without the regulatory constraints of radioactive materials, thus improving user safety and operational effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an LED (light emitting diode) light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A sighting system for use with firearms having a barrel for releasing a projectile toward a target, including an LED light, a power source for powering the LED1 light, a circuit that receives power from the power source and provides it to the LED light and controls the LED light, a housing for encasing the LED light, power source and circuit to act as an independent unit, wherein the housing is designed to be retrofit entirely on top of the barrel of the firearm, so that in dim light a user is guided by light from the LED light to align the barrel toward the target.