Integrated Optical Sighting System with Zoom Relay and Laser Rangefinder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Military sighting systems face challenges in providing a compact riflesight with a large magnification range and integrated electronic display and laser rangefinder capabilities, while maintaining high coupling efficiency and minimizing power requirements.
Innovation Solution
An integrated optical zoom sighting system with a compact design, featuring a first focal plane display and an eyesafe laser rangefinder, utilizing two prism blocks for efficient injection and alignment of the laser rangefinder and electronic display, and a decenterable zeroing mechanism to reduce moving mass and simplify mechanics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If modern capabilities such as electronic display and integrated laser rangefinder are incorporated into the riflesight, then targeting accuracy is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electronic display and laser rangefinder into a single integrated optical system where both functions share common optical paths and structural elements. The display is optically coupled to the sighting system through beam combiners, and the rangefinder uses the same objective lens and optical train, merging multiple functions into one unified device that reduces overall complexity despite adding capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the objective lens serves both the display channel and rangefinder channel, the erector tube provides image erection for both functions, and the reticle plane serves as the common focal plane for display overlay and ranging measurements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
2Volume of moving object
If the riflesight is made compact, then portability is improved, but maintaining high coupling efficiency for display and LRF becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs folded optical paths using beam combiners and prisms to redirect light at various angles, effectively packing a long optical train into a compact physical footprint. The optical elements are arranged in three-dimensional space with folded paths that maintain proper optical spacing while reducing the overall length and volume of the sighting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The display and rangefinder optical paths are nested within each other, sharing common optical components such as the objective lens, erector tube, and focal planes. The display beam path is combined with the rangefinder beam path using beam combiners, allowing both functions to coexist in the same optical train without requiring separate complete optical systems, thus nesting multiple functions within a compact structure.
3Volume of moving object
If the focal length of the objective is reduced to make the sight compact, then magnification range is limited, but compactness is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a zoom mechanism that dynamically adjusts the magnification by moving optical groups relative to each other along the optical axis. This allows the system to change its magnification power on the fly, providing adaptability across a range of magnifications despite the compact objective focal length. The zoom capability is achieved through movable lens groups that alter the effective focal length of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is divided into segmented optical groups including the objective, erector tube, zoom mechanism, and eyepiece, each with specific functions. The segmentation allows independent optimization of each group's focal length and spacing, enabling the objective to remain compact while the overall system achieves high magnification through the combined effect of multiple optical segments working together in sequence.
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
The solution enables a compact, high-magnification riflesight with efficient power usage, accurate boresighting, and advanced targeting capabilities, while maintaining image quality and reducing thermal sensitivity and parallax errors.
Implementation Method 1
an objective to receive light from a scene and form an image at a first focal plane
Implementation Method 2
a laser beam transmitter to transmit a laser beam to the target along the optical axis of the objective and a laser beam detector to detect the laser beam reflected from the target
Implementation Method 3
the laser beam reflected from the target
Implementation Method 4
an information display to superimpose information on the scene at the first focal plane
Data Source
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AI summary
A direct view optical sighting system. In certain examples the system includes an eyepiece, an objective that directs scene light to the eyepiece, a laser rangefinder, and a laser rangefinder coupling prism that directs a laser transmit beam from the laser rangefinder to the objective and a laser return beam from the objective to the laser rangefinder. Examples of the system further include a display assembly including a reticle prism and a display coupling prism, the reticle prism being positioned along the optical path between the laser rangefinder coupling prism and the display coupling prism and having a hard reticle formed on a surface thereof. The objective can be configured to produce a first focal plane of the optical sighting system coincident with the first surface of the reticle prism. The display coupling prism is configured to direct display light toward the eyepiece. Examples of the system also include a zoom relay positioned between the display coupling prism and the eyepiece and configured to adjust a magnification of the optical sighting system.