Shoulder-Mounted Switch Assembly for Optical Sight Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-operated optical sights in weapons, such as rifles, consume power unnecessarily when not in use, leading to reduced battery life due to continuous operation during non-operational periods.
Innovation Solution
A switch assembly that includes a shoulder-mounted device with an actuatable portion and a stock, featuring a switch that electrically couples with the optical sight, allowing it to operate in a low-power sleep mode by default and activating to a higher power mode only when the rifle is pressed against the user's shoulder, using a mechanical or Hall Effect switch to disconnect or activate the power as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical sight operates continuously, then the sight is always ready for use, but battery life is reduced due to unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power mode switching between sleep mode (low power) and active mode (full power) based on operational state. The system transitions from a static continuous operation to a dynamic state-dependent operation, allowing the optical sight to adapt its power consumption level according to whether it is actually being used or merely carried.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces continuous mechanical/electrical connection with a controlled activation mechanism. Instead of the optical sight being constantly powered through continuous physical connection, the system uses a switch assembly that mechanically or magnetically activates the electrical connection only when needed, substituting continuous physical presence with on-demand activation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the optical sight is activated only when needed, then battery life is extended, but the sight may not be ready when required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining the optical sight in a pre-powered sleep mode that keeps the system partially ready while consuming minimal power. The sleep mode maintains basic operational readiness without full power consumption, allowing quick activation when needed while extending battery life compared to continuous operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a switch assembly is added to control power modes, then power consumption is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power control function from the main optical sight system and places it in a separate, dedicated switch assembly. This extracted switch assembly handles only the power mode switching functionality, keeping the main optical sight system simpler while managing complexity in a modular, dedicated component.
4Reliability
If the switch is always activated, then the optical sight is always operational, but unnecessary power is consumed during non-operational periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the switch assembly to detect and respond to operational state changes. The switch provides feedback about whether the optical sight is actually being used, and accordingly adjusts the power delivery to match the actual operational needs, preventing power waste during non-operational periods while ensuring readiness when needed.
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 significantly extends battery life by minimizing power consumption during non-operational periods while ensuring the optical sight is fully operational when needed, enhancing usability and reducing maintenance frequency.
Implementation Method 1
using a mechanical or Hall Effect switch to disconnect or activate the power as needed
Data Source
AI summary
A switch assembly is provided for optical sight activation. The switch assembly includes a shoulder mounted device comprising an actuatable portion and a stock, an electrically powered optical sight disposable on the shoulder mounted device in alignment with the actuatable portion, a switch disposed in the stock and actuatable to activate operations of the optical sight and circuitry by which the optical sight and the switch are electrically coupled.