Military Projector Lens Spacing Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing military projectors lack the ability to variably adjust the cone angle of their emitted light beam, limiting their applicability for specific illumination requirements over long distances.
Innovation Solution
A military projector design featuring a tubular housing with a high intensity lamp, a reflecting mirror, a negative lens, and a pair of positive meniscus lenses, where the distance between the lenses can be varied using cam and cam follower mechanisms and a pinion system, allowing for adjustment of the light beam's divergence and enabling the projector to emit either a narrow or broader beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lens spacing is fixed, then the projector structure is simple, but the beam divergence cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the lens mounting mechanism adjustable rather than fixed. The second lens mounting member can move relative to the first mounting member, allowing the distance between lenses to be varied. This enables the beam divergence to be dynamically adjusted between different patterns (narrow beam for long-distance illumination, broader beam for area coverage) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between lenses is varied, then the beam divergence can be adjusted, but the mounting mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a potentially complex multi-component adjustment mechanism with a simplified cam and pinion system. The cam mechanism converts rotational motion of the pinion into linear movement of the second lens mounting member, enabling smooth and precise adjustment of lens spacing. This mechanical substitution achieves the desired illumination pattern variability while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple and reliable.
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
Enables the projector to emit a beam that can diverge slightly or more, illuminating areas of varying diameters at specific distances, such as 35 meters at 1000 meters or 105 meters, depending on the lens spacing, and includes an infra-red filter for versatility.
Implementation Method 1
a negative lens which is carried in a first mounting member located in from of the lamp and a pair of positive meniscus lenses which are mounted in a second mounting member spaced from the negative lens
Data Source
AI summary
A military projector comprises a tubular housing that contains a high intensity lamp, a reflecting mirror behind the high intensity lamp, a negative lens which is carried in a first mounting member located in front of the lamp, and a pair of positive meniscus lenses which axe mounted in a second mounting member spaced from and movable relative to the negative lens so that the distance between the negative and positive lenses can be varied. A carrier member having a clear opening and an opening containing a filter is located between the negative and positive lenses. A moving means moves the carrier member between a first position in which the light passes through the filter before reaching the positive meniscus lenses and a second position in which the light passes through the clear opening. An elongated tubular electromagnetic shield extends beyond the meniscus lenses.