Compact Range Binoculars Integrating Laser Rangefinder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional binoculars with integrated laser rangefinders become bulky due to complex devices, making them difficult to operate, and there is a need for a compact version that maintains focal adjustment and dioptric power functions.
Innovation Solution
A pair of range binoculars with a compact design incorporating first and second optical systems, beam splitters, an emitter, photodetector, calculator, and measurement result display, where the beam splitters are coated to reflect laser beams and transmit visible light, allowing for distance measurement without increasing the size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If binoculars are equipped with a laser rangefinder mechanism, then distance measurement function is added, but the size of the binoculars increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the laser rangefinder components with the binocular optical system by integrating the emitter into the first optical system and the photodetector into the second optical system. The beam splitters are incorporated between the prisms of each optical system, allowing the rangefinder functions to share the binocular housing space rather than adding separate bulky components.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components of the binoculars serve dual purposes: the objective lenses and eyepieces function for both visual observation and laser beam transmission. The beam splitters simultaneously divide the optical path for both the visible light from the object and the laser beam for distance measurement, allowing one system to perform multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If binoculars are equipped with a laser rangefinder mechanism, then distance measurement function is added, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rangefinder optical path with the binocular optical path by using the same objective lenses, prisms, and eyepieces for both functions. The beam splitters are integrated between existing prism components, combining the light paths rather than creating separate parallel systems, which reduces overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each optical component is designed to handle both visible light from the target object and the laser beam. The beam splitters are positioned to simultaneously manage both optical paths, allowing the system to perform observation and measurement functions through a unified rather than duplicated component set, thereby reducing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If beam splitters are used to separate laser beam and visible light paths, then distance measurement is enabled, but the optical system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitters are integrated between the first and second prisms of each optical system, merging the beam splitting function with the existing prism structure. This integration allows the optical system to separate laser and visible light paths using components that are already part of the binocular's optical train, rather than adding entirely separate beam splitting mechanisms.
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 accurate distance measurement from the observation place to an object while maintaining the basic functions of binoculars, such as focal adjustment and dioptric power adjustment, in a compact form.
Implementation Method 1
the first beam-splitting face of the first beam splitter comprises a coating coated on the glued surfaces of two prisms forming the first beam splitter and the coating is capable of reflecting the laser beam emitted by the emitter
Implementation Method 2
the coating is capable of reflecting the laser beam emitted by the emitter and of transmitting a visible light
Implementation Method 3
a photodetector for receiving the laser beam, which was emitted by the emitter, reflected by the object, and comes to the photodetector via the second beam splitter
Implementation Method 4
a calculator for determining a distance from an observation place to the object using a flight time of the laser beam taken from the emitter to the photodetector
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
This invention provides range binoculars (1) capable of measuring a distance between the observation place and an object, thebinocularsbeingmadesmall-sizedwith keeping the functions as binoculars. The range binoculars includes first and second optical systems (2), each with an eyepiece optical member (12), an objective lens optical member (9), and an erecting prism (11) consisting of a first prism and a second prism, wherein the first optical system has a first optical axis parallel with a second optical axis of the second optical system; first and second beam splitters (3A,3B), each with a beam-splitting face, wherein the first beam splitter is disposed between the first prism and the second prism of the first optical system, and the second beam splitter is disposed between the first prism and the second prism of the second optical system; an emitter (4) for emitting a laser beam toward an object via the first beam splitter; a photodetector (5) for receiving the laser beam which was emitted by the emitter, reflected by the object, and comes to the photodetector via the second beam splitter; a calculator (6) for determining a distance from an observation place to the object using a flight time of the laser beam taken from the emitter to the photodetector; a measurement result display (7) for displaying the distance determined by the calculator; and a casing (8) accommodating the first and second optical systems, the first and second beam splitters, the'emitter, the photodetector, the calculator, and the measurement result display.