Plastic Elastic Mounts for Low-Friction Telescopic Sight Bearings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic sights face challenges with precise fitting of mounts in guide sleeves, leading to increased production time, costs, and risk of errors due to the need for low-friction materials that are often heavy and expensive, such as high-performance steels or aluminum, which complicates the manufacturing process and quality assurance.
Innovation Solution
The use of elastic means made from materials like polytetrafluoroethylene, polyoxymethylene, polyetheretherketone, or polyvinylidene fluoride to prestress mounts within the guide sleeve, allowing for manufacturing independence of components and reducing the need for precise fitting, while providing low friction and reducing weight and material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If mounts are fitted precisely into the guide sleeve to achieve low friction, then frictional resistance is reduced, but production time increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, precisely fitted metal mounts with a disposable plastic insert that is intentionally designed with play (loose fit) in the guide sleeve. The insert is made from a single piece of plastic material that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, eliminating the need for precise fitting and complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fit parameter from precise/tight to intentional play/loose. By designing the plastic insert with deliberate clearance in the guide sleeve, the system achieves lower friction through the plastic material properties rather than through precise mechanical fitting, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
2Loss of energy
If expensive high-performance steels or aluminum are used for plain bearings, then low friction is achieved, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive metal materials (high-performance steels or aluminum) with a cheap plastic material for the insert. The plastic insert is designed to be a consumable component that can be easily manufactured at low cost and replaced if necessary, eliminating the need for expensive metal bearings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a plastic material composite solution instead of metal materials. The plastic insert provides the necessary low-friction properties through its material composition rather than through expensive metal alloys, achieving cost reduction while maintaining functional performance.
3Loss of energy
If materials with low coefficient of friction are used, then friction is reduced, but density increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a lightweight plastic insert instead of heavy materials that might provide low friction. The plastic material inherently provides low friction while being significantly lighter than metal alternatives, eliminating the need to compromise on weight for friction reduction.
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 configuration simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces the risk of errors, ensures low friction and weight reduction, and allows for precise adjustment of optical elements, enhancing the telescopic sight's performance and durability under various conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the means being insertable into the recess, wherein the means is spherical and made of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyoxymethylene, polyetheretherketone or polyvinylidene fluoride
Implementation Method 2
A smooth-running plain bearing, such as that found in the adjustment device of the reversing system, requires the use of materials with a low coefficient of friction
Data Source
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AI summary
The telescope (10) has an inner tube (20) arranged with an outer tube (11) and comprising an optical reversal system with optical elements provided in sockets (23). The optical elements are movably supported towards a longitudinal axis (A) of the telescope. Magnification is changed by movement of the optical elements. The sockets are pre-tensioned within a guide sleeve (22) by a resilient unit (40). The sockets comprise outer surfaces (33). The sockets, the resilient unit and the sleeve are made of plastic material, PTFE, polyoxymethylene, polyetheretherketone or polyvinylidene fluoride.