Light Conductive Member Retention in Weapon Sights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aiming sights face issues with fixed light gathering elements that cannot be replaced, migration due to attachment failures, and defects caused by heat and pressure during installation, leading to flexure and potential breakage of the light gathering element.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a light conductive member with a retention recess and a sight body with a bore retention member that allows for unflexed engagement, preventing axial travel and maintaining the light conductive member in an unstrained condition, enabling easy removal and reducing defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the light gathering element is heated and pressed to enlarge the end portions for retention in the sight body, then the light gathering element can be retained in the sight body, but defects such as inclusions, surface defects, and fractures occur in the light gathering element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal-mechanical retention system (heating and pressing) with a mechanical interlocking system using a retention groove and retention protrusion. The retention groove is formed in the light gathering element without heat treatment, and the retention protrusion engages with this groove to secure the element in the sight body, eliminating the harmful effects of heat and pressure while maintaining reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the retention mechanism from thermal-mechanical parameters (heat and pressure) to geometric parameters (groove profile and protrusion shape). The retention groove has specific dimensional parameters that allow mechanical interlocking without requiring thermal treatment, fundamentally changing the retention approach to avoid material degradation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the light gathering element is held in fixed relation in the sight body, then the aiming sight maintains stable alignment, but the light gathering element cannot be replaced or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the retention system into two separate components: the retention groove in the light gathering element and the retention protrusion in the sight body. This segmentation allows the light gathering element to be securely held during operation while enabling easy removal and replacement by simply disengaging the protrusion from the groove, combining stability with replaceability.
3Reliability
If adhesive or fastener attachment means are used to hold the light gathering element, then the element can be retained in the sight body, but the attachment means may fail causing migration of the light gathering element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the retention function from complex attachment means (adhesives or fasteners) and implements it through a simple geometric interlocking feature. The retention groove and protrusion provide inherent mechanical retention without requiring additional attachment materials or complex structures, simplifying the overall device while improving reliability.
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 ensures the light conductive member is retained without inducing flexural strain, reducing the risk of crazing or fractures and allowing for the light to be transmitted effectively, providing a stable and durable aiming indicia.
Implementation Method 1
a light conductive member configured to receive light along the length and conduct the light to at least one light conductive member end to provide a viewable aiming indicia
Data Source
AI summary
An aiming sight having a sight body having a bore communicating between first and second body ends adapted to receive within in unflexed retained engagement a light conductive member configured to receive light along the length and conduct the light to at least one light conductive member end to provide a viewable aiming indicia.