Modular Night Vision Bridge Alignment Without Factory Collimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular night vision systems face challenges in optical axis alignment due to the lack of specialized tools for field collimation, making it difficult for users to align different scopes without factory assistance.
Innovation Solution
A bridge assembly with alignment members, such as lasers or reticles, is used to connect monocular tube assemblies, allowing users to align optical axes outside the manufacturing facility using intuitive methods like laser reflections and reticle alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If modular night vision systems are designed with removable scopes for field reconfiguration, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but optical axis alignment becomes difficult without specialized factory tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alignment members (lasers, reticles, or other visual indicators) as intermediary elements that facilitate the alignment process. These members provide a common reference framework that enables users to align optical axes without specialized factory tools, thus resolving the contradiction between modular adaptability and ease of field alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment tooling with optical alignment methods using lasers and visual indicators. This substitution allows alignment to be performed using intuitive optical references rather than requiring specialized mechanical fixtures, enabling field reconfiguration while maintaining alignment accuracy
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized alignment tools and fixturing are used for precise optical axis alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and field serviceability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to perform its own alignment function by incorporating alignment members directly into the modular components. Each scope or monocular assembly includes its own alignment indicators, allowing the system to self-align without external specialized tools, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment members are designed to be universal across different modular components and configurations. The same alignment principles and indicators work whether aligning two scopes on a single system or reconfiguring entire modular assemblies, eliminating the need for component-specific alignment tooling
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 users to align optical axes in the field without specialized equipment, enhancing usability and versatility of night vision systems.
Implementation Method 1
alignment members, such as lasers or reticles
Implementation Method 2
alignment members, such as lasers or reticles
Data Source
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AI summary
One example illustrated herein includes an optical device including a bridge assembly configured to connect two or more monocular tube assemblies and at least two monocular tube assemblies. Each monocular tube assembly includes a housing, an alignment member attached to the housing, the alignment member providing an indication of an optical axis of the monocular tube assembly, and an interface component that links the housing to the bridge assembly, the interface component comprising an adjustment mechanism that enables adjustment of the monocular tube assembly relative to the bridge assembly, such that the adjustment mechanism can be used in conjunction with the alignment member to align different optical axes. Aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented to allow for field-alignment of the optical device.