Night Vision Mounting Adapter for Optical Axis Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior night vision systems often suffer from misalignment of the optical axis when mounted on a weapon accessory rail, resulting in suboptimal alignment with attached scopes, due to the integral mounting receptacle's positioning.
Innovation Solution
A mounting adapter system comprising a cage-like structure with shell members and retention tabs that securely position the night vision system to align its optical axis with the scope, utilizing adjustable fasteners and a pivoting mechanism to ensure proper alignment and allow for easy attachment to both weapon rails and helmet mounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the integral mounting receptacle is used for mounting the night vision system on a weapon accessory rail, then the mounting process is simple and direct, but the optical axis of the night vision system becomes misaligned with the optical axis of the attached scope
Solution Approach 1:
A mounting adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the night vision system's integral mounting receptacle and the weapon accessory rail. The adapter includes a mounting shoe that attaches to the Picatinny rail and a mounting receptacle that receives the night vision system, thereby mediating the connection and enabling proper optical alignment while maintaining ease of mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into separate components: the mounting adapter is divided into a mounting shoe portion that interfaces with the weapon rail and a receptacle portion that interfaces with the night vision system. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each interface for its specific function.
2Device complexity
If the mounting receptacle is positioned for direct attachment to the weapon rail, then the structure remains compact and simple, but alignment with optical scopes becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting adapter serves as a mediator structure that adds minimal complexity while solving the alignment problem. It includes a mounting shoe with a dovetail slot for the Picatinny rail and a receptacle for the night vision system, positioned at an offset that corrects the optical axis alignment.
3Measurement precision
If a custom mounting solution is designed to achieve proper optical alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but the device becomes more complex and less versatile
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting adapter is designed with universal compatibility features: the mounting shoe includes a dovetail slot that accommodates standard Picatinny rails, and the receptacle is configured to receive various night vision systems with standard mounting interfaces. This multi-functionality allows the same adapter to achieve proper optical alignment across different weapon platforms and night vision devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved weapon mount system for night vision system includes a cage-like structure receiving the body of a night vision system, such as a night vision monocular. A mounting shoe is attached to the base and cage halves secure the body of the night vision system. The mounting shoe of the present mount provides a lower profile than an integral mounting member on the night vision system that is used to attach the night vision system to a helmet/head worn mount. In one aspect, by lowering the weapon mounting height of the night vision device, the night vision system can be mounted at an appropriate height for use in front of an optical scope. In another aspect one aspect, lowering the weapon mounting height of the night vision device allows the night vision system to be mounted at an appropriate height for use on a helmet mounting system in a binocular system having a thermal camera or other type of viewing device.