Optical Targeting Device Using Diffractive Waveguide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical sighting devices for weapons are limited by large housing size, weight, and reduced field of view, which impede situational awareness and increase weight, necessitating a compact, lightweight solution with a large open field of view.
Innovation Solution
An optical targeting device incorporating a waveguide with input and output diffractive optics to convey light from a light source, allowing for a targeting reference point within a large open field of view while minimizing optical components and weight, featuring a support body, light source, and imaging waveguide that transmits scene light and directs a targeting light beam for superimposition within the scene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional optical sighting devices use traditional housing and optical component arrangements, then they can provide targeting functionality, but they result in large size, increased weight, and reduced field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional bulk optical components to a two-dimensional waveguide platform. The optical targeting device is integrated into a planar waveguide structure where light is coupled in through an input coupler and guided across the waveguide to an output coupler, enabling compact form factor while maintaining targeting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin waveguide film or plate as the primary optical element. This thin-film approach replaces conventional bulky optical housings and components, achieving a compact, lightweight device that maintains full targeting capability through guided light propagation within the waveguide structure.
2Weight of moving object
If conventional optical sighting devices use traditional housing and optical component arrangements, then they can provide targeting functionality, but they result in increased weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional bulk optical components to a two-dimensional waveguide platform. The optical targeting device is integrated into a planar waveguide structure where light is coupled in through an input coupler and guided across the waveguide to an output coupler, enabling compact form factor while maintaining targeting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin waveguide film or plate as the primary optical element. This thin-film approach replaces conventional bulky optical housings and components, achieving a compact, lightweight device that maintains full targeting capability through guided light propagation within the waveguide structure.
3Loss of information
If conventional optical sighting devices use traditional optical component arrangements, then they can provide targeting reference, but they occlude the scene and reduce situational awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light propagation path from the user's direct line of sight. By guiding light through the waveguide from input to output coupler, the system separates the targeting light path from the scene view path, allowing the user to see the full scene through the waveguide while the targeting reference is delivered through the coupled-out light.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide acts as an intermediary medium that carries the targeting light signal from the input coupler to the output coupler without blocking the user's view of the scene. This intermediary structure enables simultaneous scene observation and targeting reference delivery with minimal occlusion.
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 device provides a compact, lightweight optical targeting system with a large field of view, enabling precise targeting without occluding the scene, thereby enhancing situational awareness and reducing weight compared to conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
An input-coupling element formed on the front surface as a first grating vector diffracts light from the light source into the waveguide and directs the diffracted light along the light path
Implementation Method 2
An out-coupling diffractive element formed on the front surface in a position along the light path that is spaced apart from the in-coupling diffractive element diffracts a light beam from the light source out of the waveguide to a user
Implementation Method 3
The imaging waveguide is adapted to simultaneously transmit incoming light from a scene viewable by the user of the device through imaging waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
An optical targeting device comprised of a support body, an imaging waveguide joined to and in a position relative to the support body, and a light source mounted on the support body. The imaging waveguide is comprised of an input diffractive optic, and an output diffractive optic. The light source is located to direct a targeting light beam to the input diffractive optic of the imaging waveguide. In operation of the optical targeting device, the imaging waveguide simultaneously transmits incoming light from a scene viewable by a user of the device through the light transmissive body, and propagates the targeting light beam from the input diffractive optic laterally through the light transmissive body and directs the targeting light beam outwardly from the output diffractive optic, thereby rendering the targeting light beam as a point of light superimposed within the scene viewable by the user.