Optical Sight Relay Assembly Merging Tubes for Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical sights for firearms are difficult to manufacture and require numerous components to achieve the necessary adjustments for magnification and reticle positioning, making them complex and potentially unreliable.

Innovation Solution

The optical sight design incorporates a relay assembly with a main tube and a track tube that are selectively rotatable relative to each other, using a spherical surface to define a pivot point, allowing for axial adjustment of optical elements and reticle positioning without the need for multiple components, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional relay assemblies use multiple components to allow adjustment of magnification and reticle positioning, then the desired functionality is achieved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment functionalityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple adjustment functions (magnification adjustment and reticle positioning) into a single integrated relay assembly structure. The main tube and track tube are merged into one component that performs both functions, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and reducing the overall number of parts while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional relay assemblies use numerous components to achieve desired functionality, then adjustment capabilities are sufficient, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capabilitiesVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The relay assembly is designed as a single integrated component where the main tube and track tube form one manufacturable unit. This merging reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while preserving all necessary adjustment capabilities for magnification and reticle positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional relay assemblies use multiple components for adjustment, then functionality is adequate, but reliability decreases due to more potential failure points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment functionalityVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating multiple adjustment functions into a single relay assembly structure, the patent reduces the number of interfaces, connections, and moving parts between components. This consolidation minimizes potential failure points such as loose connections, misalignments, and wear at interfaces, thereby improving overall system reliability while maintaining full adjustment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2924386B1Optical sight with relay assembly
Publication Date: 2017.09.13 TRIJICON INC
  • EP2924386B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2924386B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2924386B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical sight is provided and includes a housing having a first bearing surface integrally formed therewith and a relay assembly having at least one optical element, a main tube, and a track tube having at least one track. The track tube is selectively rotatable relative to and about the main tube to adjust an axial position of the at least one optical element within the main tube along an axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main tube. The main tube includes a spherical surface that is in contact with the first bearing surface of the housing to define a pivot point of the main tube within the housing.